Best Practices in the Design of Toileting and Bathing Facilities for Assisted Transfers

4.16.3 Height.
All of the institutional designs included a raised toilet within the 17"-19" range allowed by ADAAG. Although the seat height did not differ from ADAAG specifications, the reasons for a higher seat did differ. Whereas the rationale for seat height in ADAAG is to provide a surface that is at or slightly below the wheelchair seat in order to accommodate a sliding transfer, the rationale in eldercare facilities was to minimize the distance individuals had to be lowered down or raised up. It is important to note that although designers knew that a higher seat was necessary, there was no data to suggest what the optimal seat height might be. In the absence of data, the 17"-19" range for seat height was selected to comply with ADAAG.