Accessible Bathrooms Barrier-free is an issue by Leon Frechette - Page 1

 

Many of us are not sure exactly what this entails while some of us are just plain scared of the subject. Don't wait so long to understand this area that you begin to lose jobs! Barrier-free is an area in which you can make a vital difference in the lives of your customers, receive pure satisfaction in helping to solve very real problems, and create a viable business all at the same time. What could be better?

So what does barrier-free design really mean? Basically, it is "an architecture which does not inhibit access or use by all people, disabled or nondisabled." In other words, a barrier-free design presents no obstacles to restrict freedom of movement. It's a way to make life easier and more convenient for your customers.

Barrier-free bathrooms for disabled individuals, as well as for older adults who have reduced balance and mobility, pose design challenges. I recommend you contact the following organizations for more information concerning the Americans with Disabilities Act and barrier-free bathroom (or new home) design:

National Easter Seal Society
230 West Monroe Street, Suite 1800
Chicago, IL 60606
www.easterseals.com

Check out Easy Access Housing for Easier Living

U.S. Department of Justice
Office on the Americans with Disabilities Act
Washington, DC 20530
1-800-514-0301
www.ada.gov

Check out the ADA Standards for Accessible Design in .pdf format.

Be sure to consult with your local building department for any statewide regulations and to ensure that your plans comply with the building codes in force in your area.

Joining an organization that specializes in a certain area could be well worth the investment. One such organization is The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), which serves and represents firms and individuals involved in all aspects of the residential kitchen and bathroom industry. Their mission is to enhance member success and excellence, promote professionalism and ethical business practices, and provide leadership and direction within the industry. Through the NKBA University, you can work toward certification as a kitchen and/or bath designer. This could provide a real competitive edge as you can promote yourself as a certified designer and justify higher fees because of those credentials. In addition, your clients will have more confidence in you as a professional. For more information on the NKBA, contact them at www.nkba.org or call 800-843-6522.

---