Differences Between 'ADA Compliant' and 'Handicap Accessible' Portable Restrooms
Often times, people will use the terms 'ADA Compliant' and 'Handicap Accessible' portable restrooms, interchangeably, but there are some interesting differences between the two. Both of these types of restroom facilities allow easier access for people with various disabilities, and these restrooms must, lawfully, be available for those with physical or mental limitations at public outdoor events. ADA Compliant and Handicap Accessible units are, both, identified by the blue International Symbol of Accessibility.
And when it comes to the definition of what determines a 'disability', there are six disability categories as determined by the Americans with Disabilities Act: 1) mobile 2) wheelchair 3) ambulatory 4) visual 5) hearing and 6) Cognitive.
Let's break down some of the likenesses and differences between ADA Compliant and Wheelchair Accessible portable restroom designs:
ADA-Compliant Portable Restrooms – Fully Comply with ADA Guidelines
* Meet all ADA requirements and can be used by all individuals with disabilities
* Meet all government-related jobs, venues or events
* Allow wheelchairs to make a 360 turn, with ease
* Are larger, bulkier, and more expensive than Handicap Accessible units
* Provide reinforced construction to accommodate extra weight of wheelchairs
* Offer a ramped or ground-level entry, reinforced handrails, low-tank height, and extra-wide entrances to accommodate wheelchairs
* Offer spring-loaded or magnetic doors that, automatically, close and are user friendly
Handicap-Accessible Portable Restrooms – Do Not Fully Comply with ADA Guidelines
* Do not meet all ADA requirements but can accommodate all individuals with disabilities
* Do not meet guidelines for all government-related jobs, venues or events
* Are smaller in size, lighter weight, and not intended to offer room for 360 degree turns by wheelchairs – per ADA requirements – but allow 'three-point' turns for wheelchairs
* Doors can be hard to close since doors do not require hinges
* Offer a ramped or ground-level entry, handrails, low-tank height, and extra-wide entrances to accommodate wheelchairs
* Perfect for functions where ADA compliance is not required
Play It Safe
If you are planning a public outdoor event, be aware that the Americans with Disabilities Act – ADA – states that a minimum of one Handicap Accessible, or ADA-Compliant restroom unit, must be available for every 10 portable restrooms on your site. In the past, this ratio has been lower – one in every 20. To be sure you would be following the law concerning the ADA with a larger outdoor event, offering ADA-Compliant portable restrooms, by default, would be playing it safe, unless you are sure Handicap Accessible portable restrooms are, entirely, acceptable. Regulations differ from city to city and county to county – check your local laws.
After it's all said and done, all government-related jobs or outdoor events must offer ADA-Compliant units as opposed to Handicap Accessible units. Also, keep in mind that every ADA-Compliant portable restroom IS handicap accessible, but not every Handicap Accessible portable restroom is ADA compliant.