Soap Solutions
If the soap dispensers are inaccessible, what can be done to make them more compliant with the ADA standards and thus accessible to people of all abilities, specifically those individuals who use wheelchairs?
The Solution: I am posing the solution that Emory University should remodel the counters and sinks so that the soap dispensers are in a location that follows the seventh principle of Universal Design: Size and Space for Approach and Use.
Action Steps: In order to carry out this solution, the middle sink and center area of the counter would have to be removed. If this middle section was taken out, there would still be enough sinks. In fact, since there are only two stalls in the bathroom, it may make sense for there to be only two sinks. By removing the middle sink, the soap dispensers could stay where they are located on the wall because a wheelchair user could go between the two sinks and easily reach the soap dispensers.
The Benefits: Doing this renovation would also implement the first and second principles of Universal Design: Equitable Use and Flexibility in Use. Creating a space between the sinks to access the soap dispensers would benefit not only wheelchair users, but also children and individuals who are shorter. Although the users of the bathroom would generally be freshman college students, it is plausible families visiting could have smaller children, elderly grandparents, or someone who is a wheelchair user.
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By reorganizing the counter, this currently inaccessible bathroom would become more universally accessible, particularly to wheelchair users, by granting greater access to the soap dispensers.