clkelley564
AL, Madison
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Our camper does not have a bathroom. So far the campgrounds we have visited have had adequate accessible facilities for my spouse. However, I have seen VERY few places that had companion facilities where I could assist him in the shower if necessary.
However, his mobility issues have a lot to do with flexibility in dressing himself. Already, putting on socks and shoes is a huge ordeal unless I help him.
I can see a day in the forseeable future where even putting on a pair of shorts by himself will be difficult.
If this happens will we be SOL and have to start searching for campgrounds that have companion facilities or purchase a camper with a bath, or is this something we should be writing letters about to get more campgrounds to install those types of shower facilities??
Thanks!!!
Carol & Rick
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javaseuf
California's Gold Coast
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I doubt if a letter writing campaign will force campgrounds to modify their rest rooms.
The Americans With Disabilities act only requires that public showers have assist bars. They are not required to be wheel chair accessible or be large enough to accommodate a care provider.
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clkelley564
AL, Madison
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I'm not talking size - I'm talking about the fact that many of the accessible showers are part of a larger bath house that is for men only or women only.
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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You will likely have a lot better luck in finding ADA cimpliant campgrounds if you stay at PUBLIC campgrounds that are operated by State, Federal or other government organizations. I spent quite a few years as an ADA Compliance officer for the State of Kansas and I know that at least Kansas took these laws seriously and did their best to meet ADA requirements. I don't recall that "family" shower facilities were mandated at sites but we certainly did provide them at a number of them. Federal facilities are probably even more apt to be ADA compliant. All of that being said, I don't think I'd DEPEND on public facilities so moving up to a more suitable RV for your particular needs would be a BETTER way to making sure your needs are met.
Good luck / Skip
* This post was
edited 08/11/10 08:43am by skipnchar *
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JFG
TN
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I don't think you will find what you are looking for at any campground. Best bet in my opinion would be to trade for an ada equipped rv... there are some available with very large bathrooms.
Fred
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TubaPete
Comstock Park, MI
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I don't know all the particulars of your circumstances so this may not work, but . . .
If most of the issues are in getting dressed would it be possible for him to slip into a large robe and then go to where you can help him? It may look out of place but it it works, who cares?
Tuba Pete
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clkelley564
AL, Madison
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Yeah, the robe would work, and that may be what we go to. I did find my answer by the way, and it's not good. It turns out the unisex restrooms are an alternative, not the primary means for providing accessibility.
I am not required by law to provide a companion restroom in a building. As long as I can provide the correct number of accessible stalls for the building (space) in question, a unisex bathroom is not a requirement. In fact, usually the unisex restroom is used when it is not feasible to renovate or add the needed single sex stalls.
Quote:
A4.22.3 Clear Floor Space. In many small facilities, single-user restrooms may be the only facilities provided for all building users. In addition, the guidelines allow the use of "unisex" or "family" accessible toilet rooms in alterations when technical infeasibility can be demonstrated. Experience has shown that the provision of accessible "unisex" or single-user restrooms is a reasonable way to provide access for wheelchair users and any attendants, especially when attendants are of the opposite sex. Since these facilities have proven so useful, it is often considered advantageous to install a "unisex" toilet room in new facilities in addition to making the multi-stall restrooms accessible, especially in shopping malls, large auditoriums, and convention centers.
Shower stalls fall within the same parameters as bathrooms. While you could make a unisex shower stall area, it is not required under law as long as you are able to provide significant accessible stalls as normal.
So, unless the law is changed, they would not be required to provide private facilities as long as they meet all other laws. Unisex restrooms (and in extension showering facilities) are not required under the law, though the DOJ does say they could be used as a reasonable way to provide the access.
Otherwise:
Quote:
2. Where strict compliance to the guidelines for accessible toilet facilities is technically infeasible in the alteration of existing facilities, accessible "unisex" toilets are a reasonable alternative.
Note: quotes are from the DoJ ADA site
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BB_TX
McKinney, Texas
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Unlikely you will find many, if any, existing private RV parks with those facilities. A new campground being built may include one if they knew or felt there may be need for such. I can't remember ever seeing one, but we have not stayed at many state/federal/COE campgrounds.
For any kind of flexibility in your future travels, you will probably have to get an RV with a large built in bathroom.
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2 Retired
Myrtle Beach, SC
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We have been camping all over the east coast for over 30 years and have only found one - 1 - campground that had a large enough unisex bathroom for 2 people to use. It was in Fort Wilderness in Disneyworld. That was over 15 years ago, so it may be different now -- and it was only in one bathhouse in the entire campground. Sounds like a large robe or an RV with your own bath may be your only alternatives.
Two young retirees restless to GO!
Life is too short to wait too long to do all we want to do!!
Go and enjoy!!
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clkelley564
AL, Madison
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Interesting, they must have pulled that bathroom out at Fort Wilderness because that is the campground we visit the most and they no longer have anything like that. They do have large handicapped stalls, but not unisex.
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