Not all portable bathrooms are built the same. Some distinctions make toilets that move from one location to another suitable for people with disabilities. Others go even further, with portable potties designed to meet the stricter requirements prescribed under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Only movable toilets that meet ADA requirements are useable in some cases. Here, we will help you understand the difference and decide which ones you need. 

What Makes a Portable Toilet Handicap-Accessible?

There are several modifications required to make portable bathrooms suitable for use by people with disabilities. Handicap-accessible portable restrooms must have a wider door than those on the standard models to allow access to people using wheelchairs. 

To further accommodate wheelchairs, the toilets should have a ramp at the entrance. The interior space must also be wide enough to allow the users to turn in their wheelchair 180 degrees in three stops and starts, similar to the three-point-turn you perform in a car. 

However, meeting these criteria does not mean your handicapped-accessible portable bathroom is ADA-compliant. In addition to the measures necessary for handicapped accessibility, the following modifications must be made.

What Are the ADA Requirements and Regulations?

Space is the most crucial distinction for a portable toilet to win ADA approval. The ADA requires that a wheelchair can turn 360 degrees, doubling the space requirement for handicap access. 

The doors of units must be hinged or magnetic for ease in closing, and the interior, including the grab bars, must be reinforced for safety. The grab bars provide extra support for the disabled occupant, helping them maneuver inside the unit. They can also prevent the person from slipping and falling. 

The ADA also requires all portable bathroom facilities to have signage identifying them as ADA-compliant. The sign is typically blue, depicts a wheelchair, and has wording written in braille.

A general recommendation is that at least one out of 20 portable potties at any single event or location be ADA compliant. Not every site, however, requires portable bathrooms that meet ADA standards. Regulations will differ from city to city and state to state.

When you need portable bathrooms for a worksite or an upcoming outdoor event, you can count on Johnny on the Spot in Ironton, OH, to provide clean, well-maintained units at affordable prices. For more than 60 years, this company has offered complete portable sanitation services for clients across the Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky Tri-State area. You can select from a variety of styles, including traditional, handicapped, high-rise, and hand-wash station designs. Call them today at (888) 838-7768 to speak to an expert or visit them online for more information.