My assessment over a brand-new accessible toilet at a 5-star hotel at Langsuan area, Bangkok.🙄🙄🙄

From the previous post, I asked what you think about this new accessible toilet shown on the image. I was astonished by the seas of opinions fluxing into the comments. This included those key people in fields of design and architecture who messaged me directly and exchanged interesting insights. Thank you everyone.🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Now I’d like to share my thought that might contradict many people’s impression. At first sight they might perceive “WOW this toilet is great, so accessible and is good-looking!”. But well, as a man in this profession I can point out many obvious flaws. Before we get into it, I’d like to clarify that I base my judgement primarily on what’s written by law, and secondary, yet no less important, on my direct experiences as a regular user.

[What passed] Obviously, it’s the width of the toilet (Blue marked). It’s defines to have a minimum of 1.5 meter so users have enough space to comfortably and safely to turn around. The space of this toilet is way beyond that. Great! 👍👍👍

[What could be improved] 1. Flush button
This is tragically prevalent throughout the country. I can’t comprehend what the designer thought while designing it. The flush button is installed on the wall behind you. How could you possibly imagine to turn around to push it, especially you’re a less-able body?😱😱

My recommend: Install it on the either side, like in Japan.

2. Handrail
It’s a fixed permanent handrail, which is wrong. This should be built to enable folding to allow more flexibility in use. A fixed permanent like this serves as a physical obstacle in movement. Visually assessed, the handrail’s firmness and the space between the toilet itself needs adjustment.

3. Bidet shower
Although it’s not always available in many other countries, this amenity essentially needs to be provided at all costs in Thailand. Confirmed by countless people with disabilities I’ve discussed, the bidet shower is extremely useful to all of them.

4. The distance between handrail and toilet itself
Visually assessed, it seems too close. This might cause problems for those (large-size) wheelchair users in getting access.

5. Trash can
This is one of the biggest mistake. Think about it, the user of this accessible toilet is likely to be wheelchair user whose legs are physically can’t move. How could they possibly open it with the trash can’s design like this. I’m so sick with this non-sense! 😩😩😩👎👎👎

6. SOS button
This is another misunderstanding seen across the country. The SOS button, in whatever forms, should be placed at many points (more than just one) inside the toilet. This detail is not stated by law, but we should do beyond just the minimum standard, shouldn’t we?

The SOS button exists for help in emergency. And the crisis, like falling down the floor heavily injured, could happen away at anywhere inside the toilet. So SOS button must be available more than just one. The more it has, the more lives it could save. Yet, sadly, it’s typically available just one in Thailand.

My secret place: I recommend you go to Mega Bangna to observe its new accessible toilet (the result of our works), the best in Thailand by far.

7. Handrail
Like No.2, the distance is inappropriate. The position is not compatible with real functionality. A grandpa or grandma likely couldn’t hold it to help leverage themselves. The designer must put himself more in others’ shoes.

8. Mirror
Although unable to visually assessed from this image, the mirror must be placed a little downward toward a user. Why? Because it will match properly the face and body of a wheelchair user down there. A wheelchair user is basically half-tall in height compared with ordinary people.

Most accessible toilets have a normal mirror which I, as a wheelchair rider, could see only my face, and not my body and below.

9. Handrail, again. I’m speechless…

10. The Sink’s height
Another one written by law in numbers, though I cannot visually assessed.

11. The obstacle below the sink
Do you see that thing below the sink? If a wheelchair user doesn’t notice it, he or she would probably get injured by hitting it, making everything worse off

 

[Summary] There is a vast difference in accessible toilet throughout the world. There is yet no perfectly universal standard of practice.

Making a versatile, fully accessible toilet for all is not beyond human’s ability.

We just have to care more about ostomy patient who requires special amenities, mother with children who needs more facilities, or Saba on his wheelchair who may punch the bad toilet brokenly. (Not good 👎👎👎)

In a nutshell, if you want a celebrity to model after, I wholeheartedly recommend you simply “imitate” from Japan’s!

And stop giving excuses that country A doesn’t have it, or country B doesn’t care about it. We, as a later comer, must refuse to compromise standard. We cannot afford to remain behind. We must make a new, better standard for all. I believe it’s not beyond our reach. WE CAN DO IT and WE WILL 😎😎😎

Link to previous post of brain-storming:
https://business.facebook.com/AccessibilityIsFreedom/photos/a.762392853783362/3335631846459437/