Handicap Mirror Rules

The ADA has special requirements for handicap-accessible dressing rooms.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for mirrors are outlined in the ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (ADAAG). There are mirror requirements for bathrooms which are coupled with sink rules along with ADA mirror rules for dressing, fitting and locker rooms. Children's mirror and bathroom sink height requirements are also addressed by the ADAAG.

ADA Bathroom Mirror Regulations

If sinks and mirrors are offered, one set must be ADA accessible. Toilet and Bathroom fixtures image by Gopaal Dhussa from Fotolia.com

Section 4.19 of the ADAAG addresses accessible sink and mirror regulations for bathrooms. Mirrors need to be mounted so that the bottom of the mirror is no higher than 40 inches from the floor. Accessible sinks are often combined with mirrors and the sink edges must be no more than 34 inches above the floor. There needs to be a 29-inch clearance below the sink to the floor to accommodate wheelchair "toe clearance," and there needs to be a depth of no greater than 19 inches between the wall and the end of the sink. The approach area to the sink and mirror must have a 30-by-48-inch clearance. Additionally, if multiple sinks and mirrors are provided at a site then at least one of the sinks and mirrors must meet these requirements.

ADA Dressing Room Requirements

Dressing room benches need to be a certain height to be accessible. child in fitting-room image by Pavel Losevsky from Fotolia.com

Section 4.35.5 of the ADAAG addresses accessible mirror requirements for dressing rooms, fitting rooms and locker rooms. Mirrors in these places must have full-length mirrors measuring at least 18 inches wide and 54 inches high and they need to be mounted so people sitting on the bench or standing can see themselves. Benches need to affixed in some way and need to measure 20 to 24 inches deep and 42 inches minimum in length. Bench heights need to be 17 to 19 inches above floor level.

ADA Children's Sink and Mirror Requirements

Children have different height requirements for accessible sinks and mirrors. child image by DOLPHIN from Fotolia.com

Due to children's wheelchairs being lower than adult wheelchairs, the requirements for sinks for bathrooms used by children ages 6 to 12 are addressed in the ADAAG. There are no mirror measurements that cater to children in bathrooms but sink measurements are given. The lip of sinks in children's accessible bathrooms need to be 31 inches above the floor and there needs to be a 24-inch clearance under the sink for wheelchair access.

References

• ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities
• ADA Bathroom
• ADA-ABA Accessibility Guidelines