The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensures that all people with disabilities will not be discriminated against and will be well-provided for with regards to their everyday needs. In such a case, one of those needs would have to be accessibility, given that they do not have the capabilities to do many average activities through normal means.
While there are countless amenities out there that require this certain level of consideration, one such object cannot be overstated.
That object is none other than the faucet.
It may seem trivial to discuss about this, but even disabled people are having a hard time using those that do not have any accessibility features.
That said, if you happen to be tasked with picking out an ADA compliant faucet, feel free to take note of the following tips below.
1. An ADA Compliant Faucet Should Have a Lever-Type Handle
Many people confined to a wheelchair will rely on the leverage that comes from their hands to do things.
In such a case, there is no question that a faucet that comes with a handle will have a much easier time than those with a push-button one.
It is also important to remember that the person might have limited use of their hands, so the lever will need to be easy to manipulate.
2. An ADA Compliant Faucet Should Offer More Turning Angle
Another important feature that you need to look for is that it has a higher turning angle.
This will allow the person to be able to maneuver the faucet all the way around, which will make it a lot easier to use.
While not all the time, you have to remember that if the person is confined to a wheelchair, they will most likely be unable to move their head to change the angle of the faucet.
3. An ADA Compliant Faucet Should Have an Anti-Scalding Valve
By anti-scalding valve, we mean that there should be some sort of mechanism that will prevent the temperature of the water from getting too hot.
This is important to prevent burns on the sensitive skin of the person and make sure that they do not have to ask someone else to adjust the temperature of the water before using it.
If this sort of feature is present, you can rest assured that the faucet is ADA compliant and can be used by anyone.
4. An ADA Compliant Faucet Should Have Hand-Powered Non-Powered Models
Another thing to look out for is a faucet that can only be operated via the hands.
This is important because it is the number one way to make sure that you will be able to use it regardless of your circumstances.
If the faucet can only be powered by electricity, then you can be certain that you will not be able to use it.
5. An ADA Compliant Faucet Should Be Easy to Clean
Another important thing that needs to be considered is how easy it is to clean the faucet.
Given the fact that there are many things that we could be doing with our hands, it is hard to always have the time to clean it.
With that in mind, you want to look for a faucet that is easy to clean without the need for any chemicals.
Conclusion
As much as possible, you want to ensure that you pick an ADA complaint faucet for your home. However, as we mentioned above, this is not always the case, which is why this article is here to help you out.
Take note of all our pointers above, and feel free to pick one that you think is the most appropriate for your needs and situation.
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