Creating an ADA-compliant massage treatment room involves thoughtful design to ensure accessibility for clients with disabilities. Key considerations include using adjustable furniture, such as hydraulic or electric tables, and maintaining clearances for wheelchair access. Additionally, the layout should accommodate mobility aids, with features like accessible door handles, wide doorways, and support seating. Beyond the treatment room, ensuring accessible entrances, restrooms, and communication options, along with staff training, contributes to a fully inclusive and welcoming space.
Key Takeaways
- Invest in ADA-compliant, adjustable furniture like hydraulic or electric massage tables to ensure accessibility for clients with mobility challenges.
- Ensure a minimum of 5 feet of clearance around the treatment table for wheelchair access, and design the space with wide doorways and accessible door handles.
- Consider features like easy-to-use door handles, support seating, and non-slip flooring to create a space that accommodates all clients.
- Make sure entrances are wheelchair-friendly and restrooms meet ADA standards, with features like grab bars and ample maneuverability.
- Train staff to assist clients with disabilities and ensure your practice’s website and communications are accessible, including alt text and captioned videos.
Setting up a treatment room that is both inclusive and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is not just a legal obligation but a fundamental step toward creating an accessible and inviting environment.
The ADA, established in 1990, is a pivotal civil rights law designed to prevent discrimination and promote equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities. This article provides an overview of ADA considerations for massage therapists; the ADA’s website offers guidelines and resources, with Title II (public services) and Title III (public accommodations) being particularly relevant to massage therapists.
Helpful Products
Many products include features allowing for adjustment to an individual’s needs or comfort level—whether the individual is disabled or interested in using ergonomics to reduce the risk of development of a work-related musculoskeletal disorder.
Using a hydraulic table is a primary example, a highly recommended investment, and is eligible for a tax credit. An electric table that lowers to 20 inches from the finished floor is considered ADA-compliant, and allows easier transfer for the client, as well as adjustability for the therapist to adjust height to different modalities performed and adjust for body size.
Although products can be designed to meet ADA guidelines, the federal government does not issue approvals or certify specific products as ADA-compliant, nor does any other body. The application, placement and surroundings of the furniture, fixtures and equipment within the space affect accessibility and usability. Any company certifying products to the ADA is providing information about the product only based on its own interpretations.
Buildings and workspaces can be determined to be compliant when assessed by the federal government, though this typically happens only if there is a complaint. Consultants and experts. such as interior designers, not associated with the federal government can be helpful in interpreting and implementing ADA regulations and may show a good faith effort has been made to meet the regulations, however, they do not have the ability to certify spaces.
“The tax credit is available to businesses that have total revenues of $1,000,000 or less in the previous tax year or 30 or fewer full-time employees,” notes a statement on the ADA website. “This credit can cover 50% of the eligible access expenditures in a year up to $10,250 (maximum credit of $5,000). The tax credit can be used to offset the cost of undertaking barrier removal and alterations to improve accessibility; providing accessible formats such as Braille, large print, and audio tape; making available a sign language interpreter or a reader for customers or employees; and for purchasing certain adaptive equipment.”
When your space is non-compliant with ADA regulations, it can result in a lawsuit. Although non-criminal in nature, financial penalties can be costly depending on the specific infraction. Further, as a business, you are also limiting your potential to serve more clients that would otherwise have access to your space.
Design Considerations
Address the layout of your treatment space holistically, focusing on clearances related to heights, depths, and widths. The bare minimum square footage for a treatment room is between 80 and 120 square feet. There should be a five-foot radius of clearance next to the table for wheelchair accessibility.
The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design specifically state furniture that is not fixed to a floor or a wall is not subject to these standards. This is the case because product dimensions are not the only consideration for accessibility. Holistic consideration of universal usability includes attention to where the product is placed, and consideration of clearances, maneuverability throughout the space, and approachability.
Universal design and ADA considerations require attention to many aspects of use including, but not limited to clearance requirements (heights, depths, and widths), ease of approachability and maneuverability within the space, and the ease of manipulation of knobs, handles, or adjustments. The interior spaces should be considered, as well as the entrances, parking areas, and restrooms.
Be aware of standards including, but not limited to:
• All door openings meet or exceed 32 inches clear width and 80 inches vertical clearance.
• All operable door handles located between 34 inches and 48 inches above the finished floor.
• Handles, pulls, latches, and locks can be operated with one hand and do not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist to operate.
• Doors require enough space for maneuverability for entrance, exit and turning
• The force required to fully open doors does not exceed 5 pounds (force requirement does not apply to latching bolts or other devices that hold the door in a closed position.
• Handles, pulls, latches and locks can be operated with one hand and do not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist to operate. Five pounds of force or less to activate.
• If you have area rugs, the pile should be less than one-half-inch high to avoid being a tripping hazard.
• Utilize support pillows, and bolsters to ensure clients can maintain comfortable positions during their sessions.
Beyond the Treatment Room
- Ensure that your practice’s entrance is accessible, especially if it’s not on the ground floor.
- Consider adding a ramp to facilitate access for clients who use wheelchairs or have mobility challenges. Make sure that pathways within your practice are wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility aids.
- Provide accessible seating options in your waiting area. These seats should be stable, equipped with armrests, and comfortable for clients who may require extra support.
- Consider incorporating seating within your treatment room to accommodate clients who may need a resting place before or after their session, or need to sit to remove shoes. The average seat height is 18 inches, so be aware of heights that deviate too much from this height.
- If your practice includes restroom facilities, ensure they comply with ADA standards. This involves providing ample space for maneuverability and installing handrails for added support. Accessibility features like grab bars are crucial for clients with disabilities to ensure a safe and comfortable restroom.
- Communications should also be accessible to all clients. Your website must incorporate features like alt text for images, video captions and user-friendly fonts to become ADA-compliant. The process for creating an ADA-compliant website is involved and the ADA has website-specific advice.
- Accommodate clients with diverse communication needs, including those who require information in Braille or the assistance of sign language interpreters.
- Offer a variety of scheduling options, such as online booking, phone reservations or in-person scheduling, to accommodate differences, whenever possible.
- Good lighting is essential, especially for clients with visual impairments. Ensure your practice is well-lit and free from glare, which can be uncomfortable for those with certain visual conditions. Dimmer switches are extremely helpful to create adjustable lighting, as well as a variety of lighting sources, such as recessed lighting, wall sconces, floor or table lamps, and task lights.
- Use clear and well-placed signage to help clients navigate your space. Signage should include information about restroom locations, emergency exits, and other essential areas.
A Compassionate Approach
If you own or manage a facility, train your staff to be sensitive to the needs and concerns of clients with disabilities. This includes understanding different types of disabilities and knowing how to assist clients accordingly.
Develop and document inclusive policies that underscore your commitment to ADA compliance and client inclusivity. Make these policies available to both your staff and clients so that everyone understands your dedication to creating a welcoming and accommodating practice.
An ADA-compliant and inclusive practice is a compassionate approach to providing accessible and accommodating services to all your clients. If you are remodeling or building out a space, you will have many opportunities, and building codes, that support universal design. Otherwise, working within existing spaces can be a challenge to adapt, yet there are many steps you can take to create greater accessibility.
The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design and other information about the ADA can be found at ADA.gov.
About the Author
Jamie Smith is Portland, Oregon-based interior designer with a background as an LMT. She specializes in creating restorative environments that promote healing and well-being. Please visit her website to download her free “DIY Treatment Room Design Guide.”
