Hi Roger,

It's an interesting topic that I think we'll see more and more of. At the 2017 National ADA Symposium in Chicago this year Kim Paarlberg from ICC talked briefly about these types of tubs. Her comment was that the provisions for accessibility are for unassisted bathing and that it isn't discriminatory to help someone into something where everybody is helped (and she used birthing tubs and therapy tubs as specific examples).

11B-805.2.4 Toilet and Bathing Rooms. Toilet and bathing rooms that are provided as part of patient bedrooms and resident sleeping rooms complying with 11B-223.2 (Hospitals, Rehabilitation Facilities, Psychiatric Facilities and Detoxification Facilities)or 11B-223.3 (Long-Term Care Facilities) shall comply with 11B-603 (Toilet and Bathing Rooms). Where provided, one water closet, one lavatory, and one bathtub or shower shall comply with the applicable requirements of 11B-603 (Toilet and Bathing Rooms) through 11B-610 (Seats).

I was surprised to find that the highlighted selection supports the Owner's desire not to provide a seat or grab bars to the bathtub in a birthing room that has an accessible shower.