5 ADA-Compliant Products for Increased Accessibility
Roughly 26% of adults living in the United States have a disability, and of that demographic, 11.1% have inhibited mobility, according to the CDC. As a result, some of the industry’s leading manufacturers and suppliers are crafting new home products with universal design needs for increased accessibility.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was originally signed into law in 1990 as an equal opportunity law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. Since then, accessibility guidelines have evolved to meet the needs of a more inclusive consumer base in the building industry, the transportation sector, and all other public services.
Here are just a few of the many ADA-compliant products hitting the market that are designed to safely accommodate Americans with disabilities.
Soft-close pocket door
Johnson Hardware’s 1500SC Series Soft-Close Pocket Door exceeds ADA’s 36” standards with up to 60” of access. The soft-close pocket door comes with a frame kit to install universally-accessible doorways throughout any residential interior. Johnson’s ADA-compliant 1500SC hardware supports wood and metal doors (up to 165 lbs).
The company’s soft-close technology is available in many of their ADA-compliant hardware kits for sliding, pocket, and wall-mount doors. ADA-compliant Soft-Close hardware kits include single-direction, bi-directional, and retrofit options.
Johnson Hardware's soft-close pocket door
Image courtesy Johnson Hardware
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ADA doorglass
ODL’s ADA Doorglass is designed for use in ADA-compliant doors and increases visibility and natural light while still accounting for a 10” bottom rail. ADA standards are issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Transportation (DOT). Guidelines for ADA compliance in new construction projects are outlined in section 233 of the law.
Two different sizes, 22” x 60” and 22” x 76,” are available in the company’s Evolve frame with Low-E glass and in the impact-rated Severe Weather frame with Low-E+ laminated glass.
ODL’s ADA-compliant doors feature hardware below 48” and no projections into the opening below 34”. Additional ADA Doorglass sizes will be available in Q2 2023, the company says.
ODL's ADA Doorglass
Image courtesy ODL
Entry level threshold
SafePath’s EntryLevel Landings are designed to assure compliance with ADA regulations and access code laws at most door entrances by providing a necessary mobility feature for wheelchair users. The door threshold is prefabricated and can be installed in minutes, the company claims.
EntryLevel Landings offer ramped access from a single-side to a three–sided “path-of-travel” approach and are available in a number of heights, dimensions, and colors.
SafePath's EntryLevel Landing
Image courtesy SafePath
ADA bathtub
American Standard’s 60” Soaking Tub is an ADA-compliant size with an 18” height and an interior lumbar support for increased accessibility. The basin also includes a textured non-slip floor for safety and a wide 30” bathing well.
The bathtub is made from durable acrylic for lightweight convenience and easy cleaning, and its Above-the-Floor Rough (AFR) feature allows for easy installation and access to pipes and drain connections.
American Standard's 60" Soaking Tub
Image courtesy American Standard
Deck handrail
Deckorators’ ADA-compliant handrail is made with heavy-gauge aluminum, and the system includes a variety of different radius elbows and styles of returns to meet nearly any installation requirement.
The outdoor railing meets ADA standards requiring a minimum radius of 1/8 inch, rounded edges, and a diameter of 1 ¼ inches to 1 1/2 inches. The handrail is available in Textured Black, Textured White, Weathered Brown, and Bronze and is compatible with 2.5" aluminum or larger posts. It can be installed directly onto wood, composite, or aluminum railing, the company says.
