Question: Do you know if I can design a wheelchair accessible bathroom, wheelchair shower, etc. with turn radius, and counter heights, etc? ~Harold

Answer: Your present bathroom can be redesigned or modified for wheelchair access. This will give you more room and help avoid injury. Most bathroom doors in houses are 24-inches wide. Wheelchairs need a minimum width of 32 inches for a straight entrance approach. If your bathroom door is in a typical hallway and you need to turn your wheelchair you will need at least 36-inches. These figures depend on the size of your wheelchair. Doors can be widened by removing the existing door, moving the light switch, and widening the framed opening. Then install a wider door unit and repair the finished flooring. You can also install a swing away door hinge which will increase the width by 2-inches. A couple of good carpenters should be able to do the job in a day. Bathtubs can be quite hazardous so this area should be carefully designed for maximum safety. You should install bathtub and shower grab bars for support. Tub transfer seats let you sit in the tub to take a shower or bath without having to sit on the tub floor. If you find it hard getting into the tub you may want to replace it with a custom built shower and shower seat. You can also replace your toilet with a special raised seat. Toilet grab bars are also ideal for safety and support.