OKW - Handicapped vs. Standard room?

[Mickeygolf]

I keep reading about handicapped rooms and they are all on the first floor and are different. Can anyone tell me what the difference is? We would like to have a first floor room for my father in-law, but I don't want a room that will some how take away my first experience of going "Home"...

 

[dianeschlicht]

Handicapped rooms are on the first floor, but not all first floor rooms are handicapped rooms. The difference is in how the bathrooms are arranged. A Handicapped room will have zero entrance showers to accommodate a wheel chair etc. There will also be grab rails etc. A regular first floor room will be just like any other OKW room.

 

[dianeschlicht]

It just occured to me that you did not specify OKW, but I assumed it since all the other DVC resorts are like hotels and have elevators.

 

[Mickeygolf]

Does that affect the whirlpool tub in any way?

 

[JudithM]

Handicapped rooms at OKW have lower beds, higher toilets, zero entrance showers, lower counters, microwaves within reach of a wheelchair, etc.

 

[BillM]

Actually the 1 BR and up at OKW in Bldgs under #30 do not have lower counters in the kitchen. Over 30 they do have lower counters, side by side fridges, micro on the counter. No disposal and the ability to roll under the kitchen sink. We always ask for a HC unit in Bldgs under 30. Studios have roll in showers, higher water closet. Other than that we found no difference. A HC studio we stayed in the only time also had a small fridge located next the door to the patio. Since we have never stayed in a studio since so we don't know much about the newer buildings at OKW.

 

[SueM in MN]

There is still a whirlpool tub in the "master" bedroom, even in the fully handicapped units that have roll in showers. The floor plan is basically the same, it's just some of the things like sinks, toilets that are different.
If your father in law doesn't need the things like raised seat toilet and grab bars, you can just get a regular unit. They are roomy enough for a wheelchair to get around. As someone else mentioned, not all the first floor rooms are handicapped accessible.
According to an email I got in response to a question to MS last year:
"There are 19 studios at Old Key West that are Handicap accessible, 19 one bedrooms, 20 two bedrooms and 1 grand villa. These are the rooms with the roll in shower."