Handrails For The Disabled

Handrails can be produced in a wide variety of designs for the elderly and the disabled people. There are many types of handrails, designed for various disabilities.

Some handrails are especially designed to support such people, who are unable to walk or have any sort of physical disability. In one way or another, each handrail production company is not making handrails according to the needs of the disabled.

Handrails should be installed under the supervision of professionals, who can take care of the required dimensions and measurements of the handrails for proper installation, so that it can provide maximum support and safety in the hazardous/dangerous areas. There should not be long gaps between the handrails. This can cause the person to fall or to slip, who is holding the handrail. Handrails should be continuous and gaps should only be given at a landing zone or at the doorway.

A D-turn, rounded off section, is required at each end of the handrails. Grab bars are usually found in bathrooms to help the disabled. They are often seen in public restrooms, where toilet grab bars are established to aid the disabled persons. Sometimes, these are installed in the homes of the handicapped persons. The bars help the handicapped persons in lifting themselves on and off the toilet seat. Grab bars are also installed in shower and bath tubs. The purpose of these bars is usually to help the injured person to be independent and to support himself/herself in private places, where he/she might be reluctant to call anyone else for support.

Portable grab bars are also available that support the disabled while travelling. These handrails are made for those people who have mild injuries or disabilities. Shower seats include such seats that could help the disabled while taking a shower. They often have a grab-bar nearby for support.

A grab bar is a shortened handrail, used primarily in bathrooms to aid the disabled persons. Toilet grab bars are a common sight in public restrooms. These grab bars can also be installed in the homes of disabled persons. These bars usually sit adjacent to the toilet on one or both sides, allowing the handicapped person to steady or to lift himself/herself on and off the toilet seat. The same type of grab bars is made for showers and bath tubs. The purpose of such bars is usually to support movement in such situations, where a handicapped or an injured person is unlikely to call for help from another individual.

There are also portable grab bars available in the market that use suction cups at each end to adhere to a smooth surface. Although these do not normally meet legal requirements that qualify them to be used in public areas, but they are used by people on the go or those who travel a lot.

There is serious apathy in most countries for the disabled like lack of sufficient spacing in different areas, ramps, lack of chairs and toilets. This will not help the handicapped in performing their routine tasks and will eventually delay a lot of activities. They will be more dependent on others for support, and it might decrease their self confidence.