Handicap accessible room

[mecanterbruy]

What is the Difference between and Handicap Accessible Room and a Regular Handicap Equipped Room? My Mother has Rheumatoid Arthritis and does not require a wheelchair. However, we were able to convinced her that a scooter would allow her to spend much more quality time with her Granddaughters for the whole week rather than going without. When booking the room, MS asked if we needed a roll in shower, I responded that it was not necessary. I believe we booked a room with a little additional space for a wheelchair/scooter to navigate in the room? Can anyone clarify for me?

 

[disneynutz]

To my knowledge there are only two types of rooms, regular and HC. HC has the roll in shower and modified counters.

The type of room and resort, studio, one bedroom, etc., will determine the space. A studio will be tight, a one bedroom, no problem.

Bill

 

[Chuck S]

HA studios have no bathtub, only the roll in showers. HA one bedroom and larger units, with some rare exceptions at AKV Jambo House, have both the jetted tub and a roll in shower.

HA units should have a raised commode and grab bars, little to no under counter storage cabinets, this allows room for manual W/C foot rests and turning radius. Lower counters/stoves, microwaves, etc.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

From the way your post is written I'm guessing your mother will not be using the scooter in the unit, correct? If she was then she'd probably have her own wheelchair full time I am assuming.

If that is the case there is no need to book an HA unit unless she needs some of the room features provided. You can park a scooter in a non-HA room.

 

[SueM in MN]

There are 2 types of handicapped accessible rooms. Neither type is any bigger than the same type (1 bedroom, studio, etc) non-handicapped accessible room in the same DVC resort.

One type is totally wheelchair accessible and has a roll in shower with a fold down seat in the bathroom, raised seat toilet with grab bars and sink that someone using a wheelchair can access while sitting in the wheelchair (usually it is a ‘roll under’ sink.
This is the roll in shower at an OKW studio:

This is the rest of the bathroom in the OKW studio, showing a roll under sink and the grab bars by the toilet:

This is the roll in shower and roll under sink from a one bedroom SSR totally accessible room.

This is the whirlpool tub area of that same SSR accessible room:

Other than the grab bars and the closet having a lower bar, the arrangement of the room is the same as the non-accessible rooms. Depending on the resort, there may be a roll under sink in the kitchen and in some resorts, the kitchen is a little larger, but to get that space in the kitchen, the living room area is a little smaller.

The second type of handicapped room has grab bars by the raised seat toilet and if it is a studio, there will be grab bars in the bathtub area.
This is the bathroom at Coronado Springs, but the bathtubs in DVC studios would have a similar arrangement.

Again, the room is the same size as other rooms of that type, so there is not any ‘extra’ space for maneuvering an ECV or wheelchair.

 

[Wenny]

We were given a 1 BR tub-version HA at SSR in March - not requested.

DH's DIL happens to be in a wheelchair and visited the room when she came to pick up DGD at the end of the week. She had a really hard time maneuvering around the dining table and chairs. We had to push everything over as far as possible for her to squeak by. The sitting room area wasn't much better. So I can definitely concur that there is no extra space for moving around. But she liked the bathroom and kitchen modifications and was easily able to wheel onto the balcony.

Editted to add... Looking back, I believe the kitchen was larger than other 1 BRs we've stayed at, which explains why the sitting area seemed smaller than we remembered from other visits. We couldn't figure it out at the time.

 

[SueM in MN]

We were given a 1 BR tub-version HA at SSR in March - not requested.

DH's DIL happens to be in a wheelchair and visited the room when she came to pick up DGD at the end of the week. She had a really hard time maneuvering around the dining table and chairs. We had to push everything over as far as possible for her to squeak by. The sitting room area wasn't much better. So I can definitely concur that there is no extra space for moving around. But she liked the bathroom and kitchen modifications and was easily able to wheel onto the balcony.

Editted to add... Looking back, I believe the kitchen was larger than other 1 BRs we've stayed at, which explains why the sitting area seemed smaller than we remembered from other visits. We couldn't figure it out at the time.

The opening to the kitchen is larger and the kitchen area has enough space to turn around in with a wheelchair. They ‘got’ the space for the kitchen by eliminating the snack bar on the TV side of the living room. The space by the table is the same in the accessible or non-accessible rooms. We always have to move things so DD can get thru that area with her wheelchair.
This is the SSR wheelchair accessible kitchen in the roll in shower room:

and the same room from the table:

Here’s a picture of a ‘regular’ SSR room from a little farther back on the table. You can see the edge of the snack bar.

Here’s a picture of a ‘regular’ SSR kitchen from the living room. The kitchen in the fully wheelchair accessible one comes into that snack bar area.

 

[mecanterbruy]

Thanks for all the information!! I called MS and asked about the differnces and was told there is only Handicap Equiped rooms with roll in shower. I will call again (I know you can get addtional information from different individuals. I also know when I made the reservation, I was asked if I needed roll in shower or not!!)

Thanks again for all the info!

 

[SueM in MN]

Some resorts have all the first floor rooms with grab bars in the tubs, so they consider all of them ‘handicapped’ .

 

[WheelieBigDisFan]

Sue, I am completely in love with you right now. Planning a trip in Sept. and can either stay at SSR or BWV. I need a HC room with roll in shower, and really wanted to see pics of the room (specifically bathroom) at SSR. I decided earlier today that if all goes as planned, we will stay at SSR and seeing these pics made my day. Can't wait to officially book the reservation!
God bless the search function on the Dis boards and thank you very much for posting these awesome pics!
Mandy