People with disabilities face many struggles in life, from physical limitations that make simple daily activities difficult for them to outright discrimination that prevents them from accessing certain spaces. If you're interested in maximizing the accessibility of your spaces, you'll need to think proactively about accessibility and make positive changes to accommodate people with a range of different limitations.
Some of these changes can be expensive and arduous tasks; for example, you may have neither the budget nor the scheduling flexibility to completely renovate an entire building. However, even minor and simple changes you make can improve accessibility in a dynamic – and appreciable – way.
For example, it's relatively inexpensive and easy to equip your bathrooms with functioning bidets. In case you aren't familiar with them already, bidets are bathroom devices designed to clean your underside with a jet of warm water, rather than forcing you to wipe with toilet paper.
Why are these devices so good for bathroom accessibility? And how do they benefit people with disabilities?
Bidet Accessibility Options
Bidets come in many forms, many of which have extra features or design elements to improve accessibility further. Some are designed to operate as standalone units, requiring separate plumbing for installation. But these days, most people choose toilet seat bidets or bidet attachments, which can be affixed to an existing unit.
Many of these bidets offer accessibility features like the following:
· Remote controls. In many cases, these devices are easily operable with the use of a remote control, or even an app on your smartphone. Without bending or reaching, you can get access to a very intuitive user interface – and take advantage of all the features you need for a comfortable experience. The user-friendliness of modern bidets has come a long way.
· Adjustable temperature and pressure settings. For some people with disabilities, it's hard to have a comfortable bathroom experience. But this becomes much easier when you have adjustable temperature and pressure settings. With the press of a button, you can adjust the temperature of the water in your bidet to be perfect – and tweak the pressure to be perfectly aligned with your expectations.
· Hands-free operation. Some of these units are even built to be operable completely hands-free. Any person struggling with strength or flexibility in their hands and arms can still have a comfortable post-bathroom cleaning experience.
· Heated seats. Bidet toilet seats now commonly come with heated seats, which are especially comfortable in winter months in areas with cold climates. It's an extra luxury that makes these devices even more attractive.
· Air dryers. Most people, after using a bidet, dab themselves dry with a small piece of toilet paper. However, some people with disabilities may prefer bidets with built-in air dryers. It makes the experience more accessible and comfortable.
· Adjustable nozzles. Most bidet units also have adjustable nozzles. This way, you can make sure the spray of water is hitting you and cleaning you appropriately.
· Self-cleaning. It's even possible to find bidets that are fully self-cleaning, so people with disabilities don't have to worry as much about cleaning these units regularly.
The Perks of Bidets for People With Disabilities
Those extra features are on top of the standard benefits you'll find in a typical bidet:
· Easy operation. Bidets are ridiculously easy to operate, especially when compared to wiping with toilet paper. In some cases, they can be operated in a completely hands-free way.
· Better hygiene. As long as they’re properly cleaned and maintained, bidets can lead to better bathroom hygiene. You'll get much cleaner cleaning with a bidet than with toilet paper.
· Improved health. These devices can prevent certain health complications, such as hemorrhoids.
· Reduced need for assistance. People with disabilities find themselves needing less assistance when using a bidet, especially when compared to toilet paper.
· Total comfort. After you get past the initial learning curve, using a bidet is a much more comfortable experience than wiping with toilet paper. Plus, extra features like heated seating and air drying make the experience even more comfortable.
· Cost savings. People spend an absurd amount of money on toilet paper every year. Installing a bidet can almost eliminate that cost.
The Cost Factor
So how much does it cost to install a bidet? That depends heavily on what type of bidet you're installing and where you're installing it. However, it's possible to find an attachment unit with plenty of extra features that you can install yourself for $200 or less. Depending on what you're looking for, you may even be able to find it for less than $100 per unit.
Whether you're interested in upgrading your own bathroom or upgrading the bathrooms of a publicly accessible building, bidets can make a big impact on your overall accessibility. Consider them as an upgrade if you can afford them.