As we move into a more hygiene-focused world, restroom visitors will expect clean, updated spaces that feel welcoming and safe. At the same time, barrier-free, accessible, and inclusive design is putting a greater emphasis on optimizing the planning of commercial restrooms so that they are safe, comfortable, and easy for all occupants to use. This course will discuss accessible and inclusive design considerations in commercial restrooms, including a short history of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), plumbing innovations that enable ADA compliance and inclusive design, and options for retrofitting existing restrooms for accessibility.


Learning Objectives

  • Examine the history of ADA and inclusive design, including the evolution of design awareness in the commercial restroom space.
  • Review implications of the Americans with Disabilities Act on commercial restroom design and plumbing product specification.
  • Explore innovations that enable ADA compliance and inclusive design in commercial restrooms.
  • Understand simple ways to retrofit existing restrooms for ADA compliance and inclusive design.

Prerequisite: None.