Handrails for people with limited mobility are functional structures that make life much easier for people with disabilities or temporary mobility restrictions. Handrails give a person an additional point of support, thanks to which it becomes much easier for him to sit down, get up, change the position of the body, which significantly increases the degree of his freedom.
Why do we need handrails?
Wall handrails for the disabled are installed inside or outside the premises to provide people with additional support and maximum independence in matters of movement. Equipping housing with functional handrails may be required not only for people with disabilities, but also for those undergoing recovery and rehabilitation after operations or injuries.
The areas of greatest discomfort and danger for people with limited mobility are the bathroom and the bathroom. Slippery flooring becomes even more dangerous due to condensation and moisture accumulation. If you accidentally slip, the body instinctively grabs the closest object. Most often in the bathroom it is a sink, which is not always able to withstand the weight of an adult.
Bathroom handrails can be installed in the shower area, near the bathtub or washbasin, which will allow a person to perform hygiene procedures more comfortably and safely. Ergonomic supports prevent the risk of injury when moving on a slippery floor. If the handrails are installed on the wall above the bathroom, it will be more convenient for a person with limited mobility to dive into it and climb back up. This helps to increase not only physical, but also psychological comfort.
It is also possible to allocate handrails for the toilet, which help to sit and stand up. Such an addition is relevant not only for installation at home, but also for public institutions.
According to current construction standards in Ukraine, handrails should be installed near the toilet and sink in:
- medical institutions
- catering establishments
- cinemas and concert halls
- airports, train stations, gas stations
- shopping malls
- hotels
Types of handrails
According to the type of construction and method of use, handrails for low-mobility groups of citizens are divided into two main categories: stationary and folding. Stationary ones are installed so that their position cannot be changed. This solution is the safest and most durable, however, the features of the premises do not always allow their full use.
Folding handrails are mounted on movable consoles, which allows them to be removed to the side in case of need. Such handrails may additionally have an auxiliary support. They are most in demand in small rooms, especially in apartments and bathrooms.
The shape also distinguishes different types of handrails. Stationary are:
The design can be standard, reinforced with two fixing points or with three fasteners.
Folding ones differ in the way of installation:
According to the installation method, all handrails are divided into floor, wall and combined with wall-to-floor fixation. The latter design can simultaneously cover the area of the sink and toilet bowl for combined bathrooms. Visually, this design is similar to a walker and makes it possible to maximize the use of limited space.