ADA to the Rescue
Breaking down barriers — the Americans With Disabilities Act at 35
Hallways were too narrow for walkers. Door knobs were too hard for arthritic hands to turn. Countertops and appliance controls were too high for people in wheelchairs. Staircases and step-up (or step-down) floors were hazardous for the vision-impaired.
Then 35 years ago this year, the Americans With Disabilities Act was signed into law, bringing these and other issues to the forefront and launching efforts to make lives better for the millions of people who were struggling just to get through the day in a world filled with physical and other obstacles.
Many of the obstacles were in their own homes. Creating safe places for people to live wasn’t new, but ADA shone a spotlight on the widespread need for homes designed and furnished for people covered under the law. The American Society of Interior Designers, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, has compiled the following list of ADA-compliant products.
BARRIER-FREE DRAINAGE IN SHOWER
Infinity Drain’s barrier-free linear drains are designed without curbs, barriers or thresholds, allowing for roll-in accessibility to a bathroom or wet area. They are easy to clean and feature an ergonomic design for a comfortable surface to stand on with efficient water drainage All Infinity Drains are ASME A112.6.3 certified (which means they meet design, material and performance standards for functionality and safety) and suitable for to use indoors or out.
TOILETS
Two new Duravit toilets — the 1930 Series Two Piece Toilet and D-Neo PRO Series One Piece & Two Piece Toilets — are ADA-compatible with the ability to change the lever placements. The 1930 Series Toilet reimagines the classic design with enhanced performance features such as a MaP score of 1000g (a measure of how well a toilet flushes waste), a soft close toilet seat and an extra hygienic coating. The sleek and contemporary D-Neo PRO Series Toilets offers 1.28 gallons per single flush and a MaP score of 1000g.
REFRIGERATION
True Residential’s new Low Profile Collection features ADA-compliant, UL-rated indoor/outdoor undercounter beverage centers, refrigerators, clear ice machines, beverage dispensers and wine cabinets. With a 31⅞-inch height that meets ADA’s height regulations (generally 27 to 34 inches), they are designed for seamless integration under ADA-compliant countertops and have reversible hinges, drawer-style offerings and adjustable leg levelers. All appliances are available in any of True’s Build Your True program of curated finishes and hardware options and are made with R600a, an eco-friendly refrigeration system with a Zero Ozone Depletion Level and a low Global Warming Potential.
DOORS & ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEMS
“Air,” “Sail” and “Radius” doors from Rimadesio have customizable dimensions that exceed ADA’s required 32-inch clearance and feature user-friendly sliding or push-pull mechanisms for ease of operation. Users can operate the hardware with one hand, requiring no tight grasping or twisting. Each system combines durable materials such as wood, glass and aluminum with exceptional craftsmanship. Finish options are available from the brand’s signature Ecolorsystem — a proprietary range of water-based lacquers engineered for beauty and sustainability. Shown are “Air” bidirectional pivot doors with horizontal and vertical crosspieces (top), “Sail” sliding panels (middle) and “Radius” bidirectional pivot doors that are on the same plane as the wall (bottom).
REFRIGERATED CABINET
Room & Board’s Amherst storage cabinet blends modern design with universal accessibility. Integrated with True Residential refrigeration, the cabinet is available in 48-, 60- and 72-inch widths and 34-inch height, meeting ADA standards. The soft-close drawers, push-to-open doors, and adjustable wood shelving to ensure ease of use in home office, entertaining and other spaces.