Toilet Design for Persons with Visual Disability

Srisuda Phooyam¹, Janejira Janejitvanich², Tam Jatunam³

¹sornlada@hotmail.com , ² jane_jinara@hotmail.com , ³tam.tat@mahidol.ac.th

Abstract

The purposes of this research were: 1) To study the guideline to design appropriate and safe toilet for persons with visual disability and 2) To design appropriate and safe toilet for the use of persons with visual disability. The sample of the study comprised of 50 low vision and blind persons at the Thailand Association of the Blind, the Issan Blind Association, the Center for Rehabilitation of the Blind, and the area near the Victory Monument who used at least two of public toilets facilities and can lead their life in society and travel independently using white canes. The data was collected using a survey instrument by interviewing the sample group regarding current toilet usage behavior and needs. The survey was divided into three sections: observations, tactile/touch and movement. The data was recorded in the observation forms in the respective areas. This data was analyzed to make recommendations for toilet design.

The study found that: 1) The guideline to design appropriate and safe toilets for persons with visual disability were viewed by the participants with respect to recognition, touch and movement. Regarding recognition, respondents desired flat-seated toilets and sink basins with counters. The most popular men's urinals from 29 male participants were installed on walls. Regarding touch, course area surfaces were preferred; while fine and course surfaced walls were desired. Stalls with high walls were preferred, as well as with inward-swinging doors. Regarding movement, the total preferred spacing was between 2 and 3 steps in the toilet. 2) Data of the sample is useful for toilet design for persons with visual disability for each architectural element of the facilities constructed in three patterns: square, rectangular and L-Shaped. These three designs were appropriate and safe for the users.

Keywords: Design, Toilet, People with disabilities, Persons with visual disability, Blind