Anyone who organizes a social event such as an outdoor wedding, corporate picnic, golf tournament or ethnic festival realizes how important it is to offer the comfort, cleanliness and convenience of on-site, portable restrooms. Whether basic models of porta-potties are provided or whether elegant models with flushing commodes and temperature-controlled interiors are offered, no guest should ever feel overlooked regarding their personal needs.
With that being said, it is inevitable that any large, public outdoor event will include individuals with special needs such as those who use walkers or wheel-chairs or those who have visual disabilities or other limitations. Because of this, a certain percentage of portable restrooms that are part of public outdoor events must cater to special-needs individuals and offer ease-of-accessibility and unencumbered maneuverability.
Porta-Potties for Special Needs
It should be pointed out that the term 'Wheelchair Accessible' is not synonymous with the term 'ADA Compliant'. The term 'wheelchair accessible' falls under the ADA guidelines. The term 'special needs' as it relates to porta-potties would include restrooms that deviate from standard facilities and services. This would include not only wheelchair users but individuals with:
*** Mobile disabilities
*** Ambulatory Mobility Disabilities
*** Visual Disabilities
*** Hearing Disabilities
*** Cognitive Disabilities and others
A wheelchair-accessible porta-potty must be ADA-compliant and is usually a ramped, or ground-level entrance designed with larger-than-usual interiors to not only accommodate a wheelchair but to, also, accommodate a 2nd individual who may need to accompany the person requiring assistance. The oversized interiors of these specialized portable restrooms offer flat-floor designs for easy wheel-chair access along with strategically-positioned grab rails that provide enhanced safety.
The American Disabilities Act was enacted in 1990. It protects the rights of all individuals with disabilities, both physical and mental. By law, all public special events must comply with ADA regulations and provide restrooms that meet specific ADA guidelines.
Getting the Numbers Right
For event planners, having insight into the guidelines affiliated with the ADA is vital, and one important ADA guideline states that in each grouping of toilets,at least five percent of all portable restrooms utilized for asingle event must be wheelchair-accessible. This amounts to one ADA-compliant portable restroom for every20 standardportable restroomunits, in place.
Will your large event be a street festival, music event, parade, or sports tournament? Or how about a political rally, air show, or parade? Whatever the theme of your event, getting the numbers right regarding ADA guidelines is crucial.
Please give our office a call to help determine how many ADA-compliant porta-potties your large event would require. Our experienced staff will eliminate any confusion you may have concerning this important planning detail. We want to make sure your event will meet any new regulatory requirements.
Take a few moments to visit our website www.chemcans.com for additional information on our ADA-compliant porta-potties as well as information on our other fine products and services.
Fort Worth Office: 817-568-2333 ~ Dallas Office: 214-935-9017
Helping your large event achieve optimal success isn't just our business, it's our passion!