Subject:
Guidelines for Federal Outdoor Developed Areas
Section T409, Pit Toilets
Several years ago I was a member of a team assessing the Alaska State Parks for levels of accessibility to people with disabilities. There were numerous newly constructed standard pit toilets throughout the state. The pit toilets are constructed on a concrete slab with wooden or concrete block walls and interior walls of a waterproof material. We discovered problems with the concrete floors in the majority of units. The floors were not level.
The contractor constructing the toilets did not level the floor of the units. The floor found to be purposely sloped toward the door to facilitate water drainage when cleaning the unit. While this facilitated removal of water on the floor it created possible problems for the person using the wheelchair. Most sports wheelchairs do not have wheel brakes installed. When the individual transfers tot the toilet the wheelchair tends to roll toward the door during the transfer. After the transfer is accomplished, the wheelchair tends to roll towards the wall containing the door. Retrieving the wheelchair after the use of the toilet can also present problems.
Recommend adding Section T409.X requiring the floors to be level in pit toilets.
Sincerely yours,
Paul F. Sandhofer
Anchorage, AK