Subjective Ratings of Accessibility Using Full-Scale Bathroom Environments

Abstract

Full-scale modeling was used to assess subjective ratings of difficulty for the bathroom environment across four different configurations. Two configurations complied with nationally accepted accessibility standards. One exceeded the standards, representing a “universal design”; the other was representative of a common yet unsupportive design. Participants simulated activities of daily living and offered subjective ratings of each design in general, and for each sub-area (e.g. toilet, shower, lavatory) for each design. Results demonstrate subjective differences between bathroom configurations. The interaction between humans and the built environment should include a host of diagnostic tools complete with subjective assessments.