Essential Room Accessibility Criteria
- ☐ Step-free entrance to the building and room
- ☐ Doorways minimum 850mm clear opening (900mm+ preferred)
- ☐ Floor space allows a 1500mm turning circle
- ☐ Level flooring (no lips, ramps, sudden transitions)
- ☐ Accessible light switches, power points, and controls
- ☐ Desk/table height usable from a wheelchair
- ☐ Clear pathway between bed and bathroom
Bathroom, Shower & Toilet Requirements
- ☐ Roll-in / step-free shower (no hob/lip/tray edge)
- ☐ Fixed or flip-down grab rails in the correct positions
- ☐ Shower controls reachable from seated position
- ☐ Stable shower seat (fixed preferred)
- ☐ Toilet transfer space on the required side (left/right)
- ☐ Sink roll-under access (no blocked cabinets/pipework)
Bed, Transfer Space & Furniture Layout
- ☐ One full side of the bed is clear for transfer
- ☐ Bed height within 10cm of wheelchair seat height
- ☐ Furniture can be moved/repositioned by staff
- ☐ No fixed bed bases preventing hoist/leg positioning
- ☐ Clear path from the bed to the bathroom to exit
Questions to Ask Before Booking
- ☐ Is the bathroom a roll-in shower with NO hob/lip?
- ☐ Is there toilet transfer space on the side I require?
- ☐ What is the bed height (in cm)?
- ☐ What is the clear door width (in cm)?
- ☐ Can furniture be moved/repositioned if needed?
- ☐ Can you provide real photos of the actual accessible room & bathroom?
Arrival Day Inspection
- ☐ Test transfers (bed, toilet, shower) before unpacking
- ☐ Confirm bathroom access and shower entry
- ☐ Check bed height and transfer space
- ☐ If unsafe/unusable, request another accessible room
- ☐ If no suitable alternative, escalate to Duty Manager
Important Notes
Accessibility must be functional, not cosmetic.
A room is only accessible if you can: enter, navigate, transfer, shower, toilet, sleep, exit independently and safely.
Always advocate firmly if promised accessibility is not delivered.