Toilet for people with disabilities – design principles, standards, guidelines.
Data publikacji: 21 July 2025
Architectural barriers to normal functioning are a daily reality for people with disabilities. In many cases, this includes bathrooms. A common problem is the lack of a toilet for the disabled that is adapted to their special needs.
However, there are now regulations in place that specify how a toilet for the handicapped should be designed. Thanks to them, it is possible to remove some barriers and create a comfortable toilet for the disabled.
WC for the disabled
A toilet for a disabled person must be designed based on the provisions of the Construction Law. In this case, the norm contained in Article 5(1)(4) of the Construction Law is an important guideline. It proclaims that ? “a construction object, together with related construction equipment, should, taking into account the expected period of use, be designed and built in a manner specified in the regulations, including technical and construction regulations, and in accordance with the principles of technical knowledge, providing the necessary conditions for the use of public facilities and multi-family residential buildings by persons with disabilities?”.
A toilet for people with disabilities must be adapted in such a way that they can use it independently and comfortably. This is especially true for people with mobility impairments, for whom a ? “standard?” bathroom is full of obstacles, often insurmountable.
A toilet for the disabled must first of all be equipped with the necessary accessories. First of all, these are handles and handrails, but also – in the case of bathrooms with showers – special shower seats.
Adaptation of the toilet for the disabled also applies to the toilet and sink. It is also necessary to install a hand dryer.
Importantly, the price of a toilet for the disabled, despite the need to install additional equipment, does not have to be high at all. It is possible to obtain a subsidy from the National Rehabilitation Fund, which covers up to 95% of the cost.
When is a disabled toilet required?
When a toilet for the disabled must be accessible, in turn, is regulated by § 86 of the Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure of April 12, 2002, concerning the technical conditions to which buildings and their location should conform. According to Section 1. of that ordinance, in a building where toilets must be made available, there must be at least one properly adapted, accessible toilet for the general public on each floor to which people with disabilities have access.
The above provision applies to permanent buildings, but the regulation also regulates the accessibility of a disabled toilet in the case of portable toilet cubicles. Paragraph 6 of Section 87 indicates that in the case of public toilets, a minimum of one cubicle must be adapted to the needs of people with disabilities.
The above regulations also apply to disabled toilets in public buildings and workplaces. In the latter case, the employer is obliged to provide a toilet for the disabled when he employs such people. If the profession does not provide a toilet in a permanent building, a portable toilet may also be provided.
Toilet for the disabled – regulations
While the law specifies the need for adequate bathrooms, the exact requirements for disabled toilets in the regulations are not very detailed.
According to the guidelines in the aforementioned regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure, the requirements that a disabled toilet must meet are:
- Provide maneuvering space of at least 150 x 150 cm,
- No door thresholds,
- The presence of a minimum of one properly adapted toilet bowl and a sink,
- The presence of handles to facilitate the use of hygiene and sanitation facilities.
The guidelines for toilets for the disabled do not specify what is a ?suitable adaptation? facilities. Therefore, good practices should be followed in this regard when designing such a room.
Even the most beautiful place can be remembered through the prism of a… a malfunctioning toilet.
Check out Faneco’s solutions for toilets in public places
Toilet for the disabled – technical conditions
The technical conditions of a toilet for the disabled must allow comfortable and safe use of such a room. Many practices are not defined by regulations, but their application is necessary to ensure such conditions.
First of all, the front door should be at least 90 cm wide, but not more than a meter. Door leaves with a width of more than 100 cm are heavy, which can make maneuvering difficult.
If it is not possible to completely eliminate thresholds, use sub-threshold slats with a small slope. They will help to eliminate the difference in level and allow a person who uses a wheelchair to enter the room.
Among the various technical conditions of a toilet for the disabled, the issue of doors is also important. If they are glazed, the lower part of them should be equipped with a protection against impact with wheels with a minimum height of 40 cm. In turn, the handle must be ergonomically shaped to facilitate a firm grip and be at a height of no less than 80 cm. Given the limited ability of some people to maneuver their hands, it is worth installing an additional wide handle under the handle.
Toilet for the disabled – dimensions
The dimensions of the toilet for the disabled must provide maneuvering space to minimize the risk of wheels hitting walls and corners. If its elimination is not possible, the walls and corners must be protected with bumpers or sufficiently high skirting boards.
This space does not include the area where the wing of the open door may be located. If the door opens to the inside of the room, the corresponding dimension of the disabled toilet (length or width) must be as much as specified in the regulations + the length of the door leaf.
How many toilets for the disabled?
The number of disabled toilets in public buildings depends primarily on how many floors there are in a dedicated facility. There must be a minimum of one bathroom adapted to the needs of people with disabilities on each floor.
Where must there be a toilet for the disabled?
A disabled toilet must be located in every public building – for example, in a school, office or shopping center. This also applies to health care facilities.
In the case of workplaces, a properly adapted toilet must be in companies that employ people with disabilities.
Whether a toilet for the disabled must be on each floor for establishments located in storied buildings depends on where the adapted workplaces are located.
Signage for disabled toilet
Signage for disabled toilets (as well as toilets of this type themselves) has been in place for only a few decades. For this reason, various symbols have not been developed. A pictogram depicting a figure sitting in a wheelchair is used as a disabled toilet sign. It is easy to recognize and applies to people with different types of disabilities, not just motor disabilities.
Importantly, there are usually no signs dividing them into men’s and women’s toilets for the disabled. This is because bathrooms of this type can be (and most often are) coeducational.
Bathroom design for the disabled
When creating a design for a bathroom for the disabled, it is necessary to consider not only the functionality of the room and the equipment in it, but also aesthetics.
Contemporary design of handrails and seating makes them look good, and can be used by people of different ages and with different disabilities. This is especially important for toilets located in public buildings.
NOTE: Handrails for the disabled located in the bathroom should be installed as close to the walls as possible, making movement easier and giving greater freedom of movement. They must be ergonomically shaped (for example, rounded with a flattening on the front), easily fitting into the hand.
Not all aspects to be considered when creating a bathroom for the disabled can be seen in the plan. The right color scheme is also important, especially with the visually impaired in mind. Handrails, seats and other equipment should be clearly visible. A good practice, for example, is to use dark walls and white contrasting equipment.
How to design a bathroom for the disabled? It is worth remembering that the equipment in them must be resistant to intensive, not always careful use. In addition, in public buildings, the weight of users is not known. For this reason, the products used must be tested for more than 200 kg. Stainless steel sanitary ware is also a good solution. Durability, ease of use and aesthetics are the main issues to consider when designing properly adapted bathrooms.
Equipment for disabled toilets
Bathroom equipment for the disabled must consist of accessories that facilitate the use of the bathroom for people with different types of disabilities.
The absolute basis are special handles. They should be located, first of all, near the toilet and at the sinks. At the same time, they must not restrict maneuvering space.
It is not specified how many handles and other mobility-enhancing accessories should be included in a bathroom for the disabled. This depends primarily on the layout of the room.
Various types of stools, stools and seats are important elements of toilet equipment for the disabled. It is also worth considering enriching the handles with special bathroom hangers, as well as hooks and containers for toilet paper. Toilet brushes with a longer-than-standard handle are also useful.
Also, faucets for the disabled should have longer handles, making it easier to drain water. There must be a soap dispenser near the sink. An additional convenience for wheelchair users is also a tilting mirror. It has a variable tilt angle, so that also seated people can easily look into it.
Handrail for disabled toilet
Adequate adaptation of the room is crucial for a person with a disability to be able to use the room in a way that is not only comfortable but also safe.
A necessity is special handles in a disabled toilet to facilitate movement when using the sanitary facilities.
Ideally, they should be in the form of handrails with a pipe diameter of between 2 and 3.5 cm. This allows for a comfortable grip. However, as with other accessories, handles in a disabled toilet should also take into account the impaired or reduced grasping ability of potential users. It is worth taking this into account and choosing models with slightly larger diameters.
In the case of handicap handles in toilets, the height at which they are mounted is very important. According to the regulations, the optimal height is 75 – 85 cm.
In addition to standard wall-mounted models, mounted horizontally or vertically, there are angled and broken versions on the market. Regardless of the model chosen, it is worth choosing products with additional amenities, such as notches that prevent hands from slipping.
Washbasin in a toilet for the disabled
The washbasin in a toilet for the disabled must be installed in such a way that its bottom is above the knees of a person who sits in a wheelchair. The comfort of using bathroom fixtures of this type is also enhanced by a flat bottom and a properly contoured edge. It is good if the person using it can comfortably rest his elbows on its edge. It is important to remember that there should be no equipment under the sink that can impede wheelchair access. Bathroom trash cans should be located outside the maneuvering space.
Equally important are the dimensions of the equipment. The height of the sink in a disabled toilet should be less than 80 cm; for children under 12 years of age, the maximum height is 60 cm. It would be worthwhile for such accessories as towel containers, hand dryers, soap disp ensers and – optionally – disinfectant dispensers to be at a similar height. The minimum width of the sink is 60 cm. Right next to the washbasin should be wall brackets (hinged or fixed) with a length of 55-70 cm.
Urinal for the disabled
A urinal in a disabled toilet does not appear often. However, many people can use it safely, provided that it is placed at the right height.
A good solution is standing urinals, in which the bowl and drain are located much lower than in the case of standard wall-mounted models.
There must be handrails on both sides of the handicapped urinal where you can comfortably support yourself.
WC for the disabled – complete
A very important aspect of the design of the entire room is the height of the disabled toilet. The optimal range is 45-50 cm, which is higher than standard toilet seats.
In addition to this, it is necessary to take into account a specially designed bowl, adapted to the needs of people with disabilities. In most models of toilet for the disabled (including the compact type), it is extended to 70 cm and equipped with a seat with notches for comfortable use – preferably with a free-fall function, increasing the comfort and safety of the user. It is worth choosing a board with reinforced metal hinges. This ensures that the flap will hold firmly, making it much easier for people who need to transfer to a wheelchair.
Among the most practical solutions are toilet seat models with a bidet function, equipped with water pressure and temperature control, as well as with a drying function with the ability to change the air temperature. In the case of such systems, the control is carried out using a panel located at the height of the seat.
Next to the toilet seat there must be tilt or non-tilt handrails and handles to facilitate comfortable use of the toilet. Before installing them, however, make sure that the bathroom walls are made of sufficiently strong materials. If not, handles and floor-mounted handrails are a good option, providing secure support and the necessary comfort.
Self-closer in a disabled toilet
A very practical piece of equipment is a door closer placed in doors for the disabled.
Many people have difficulty reaching back and closing an open door behind them. A door closer eliminates this need; in addition, many models significantly reduce the resistance to opening the door thanks to cam mechanisms. This makes opening easier not only for people with disabilities, but also for children and the elderly, for whom this activity can also be problematic.
Bathrooms for the disabled – funding
Adapting a bathroom to meet the needs of a disabled person is always a major expense. However, both people with disabilities and their caregivers can apply for adequate funding for this purpose.
The institution that provides support to people with mobility impairments and facilitates the adaptation of bathrooms for the disabled is the PFRON (State Fund for the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities).
The relevant application is submitted to the District Family Assistance Center. It must be accompanied by the following documents:
– certificate of disability,
– document certifying the right to the premises,
– certificates of disability of other family members, if any,
– certificate of employment and income.
The application for reimbursement of a bathroom for the disabled must also include information on what barriers are currently in the bathroom, as well as the items of equipment to be replaced or added. A detailed design (which can also be financed with PFRON funds) is submitted after the application is approved.
The maximum amount of funding is 95% of the cost of the project (or 80% if the applicant is not the owner of the premises). At the same time, it cannot exceed fifteen times the average salary.
A bathroom and toilet for the disabled is a place that must be designed with special care. Not only regulations, but also good design practices must be taken into account. It is also very important to select equipment in such a way that they do not constitute an additional barrier when using the bathroom, but are an important aid.
Very similar practices are worth applying when designing a toilet for the elderly. This is because it is a range of solutions that improve the comfort and safety of people with various types of mobility problems.
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