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Designing your kitchen according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)’s requirements creates an equal experience for your entire household. It adds extra comfort for everyone, especially for family members who are older or are physically challenged.
For instance, installing an ADA-compliant kitchen faucet helps your loved ones with limited mobility or special needs to continue living independently. It enables them to run hot or cold tap water whenever they please.
Here’s what you need to know about ADA—from the accessible design standards to the tips for selecting ADA kitchen faucets.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil act signed into law on July 26, 1990, by President George H.W. Bush. This legislation guarantees equal opportunity for people with disabilities in all public and private places, employment, transportation, local government services, and more.
On September 15, 2010, the Department of Justice published revised regulations for Titles II and III of the ADA. The revisions include standards for accessible design a.k.a. 2010 Standards, which set minimum requirements for newly designed and built or altered places, including:
Sections 606.4 and 309 of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design cover the necessary controls and features for faucets, such as:
Accessible elements and operable parts (i.e., faucet handle or lever) must meet ADA’s height requirements for use by adults or children over age 12.
|
Children’s Reach Ranges |
|||
|
Forward or Side Reach |
Ages 3 and 4 |
Ages 5 through 8 |
Ages 9 through 12 |
|
High (maximum) |
36 in (915 mm) |
40 in (1015 mm) |
44 in (1120 mm) |
|
Low (minimum) |
20 in (510 mm) |
18 in (455 mm) |
16 in (405 mm) |
2. Easy Operation
A person with disability should be able to operate the faucet with one hand and without requiring applied force, such as twisting, tight grasping, and pinching. The faucet must also accommodate right- and left-handed individuals.
3. Improved Usability
If the faucet features touchless or other hands-free technology, it should remain on for at least 10 seconds to give users enough time to wash their hands.
1. Perform a One-hand Test
You can’t tell if a kitchen faucet adheres to ADA’s requirements by looking at it. It’s important to test it yourself to grasp how easy or difficult it is to operate.
When performing a one-hand test, do it as if you have physical limitations. The 2010 ADA Standards state that the operating parts of a faucet should have a maximum activating force of 5 pounds.
Check the strength or force required to twist and turn the faucet and whether it strains your wrist when activating it single-handedly.
2. Take the Measurements
The ADA regulations also state that operable faucet parts must be no higher than 48” from the ground if the area is free from obstructions.
If you’re planning to purchase a faucet with elevated handles, you might need to opt for a more user-friendly option. Not only is this faucet type outside ADA’s height requirements, but it may also be difficult for users to reach and turn.
3. Check the Water Flow Rate
Kitchen faucets with motion sensors are ideal for persons with disabilities. When shopping for this kind of faucet, make sure to check the water flow rate. It should meet the minimum 10-second requirement outlined in the ADA regulations.
The Americans with Disabilities Act gives physically challenged individuals the confidence to enjoy every day routine hassle- and worry-free.
At Lulani, we support ADA’s goal in catering to the needs of people with disabilities. We offer ADA-compliant kitchen and bathroom faucets. Our faucets also meet the standards for water-efficiency, as well as public health and safety.
Check out our complete selection of kitchen faucets in beautiful designs and finishes at https://lulani.com/collections/kitchen-faucets.
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