Failure to Accommodate Wheelchair User's Access to Bathroom Fixtures
Penalty
Summary
A resident who uses a wheelchair was unable to use the bathroom sink and medicine cabinet without difficulty. The resident reported that the sink was too high, struggled to turn the faucets on to brush teeth and wash, and could not access the medicine cabinet easily. During observation, the resident was seen attempting to use the sink and medicine cabinet, managing to open the cabinet only after struggling and being unable to remove any items. The resident kept personal items on a stand between the sink and toilet, but items would fall between the bars, and the resident was unable to pick them up once they hit the floor. Maintenance staff confirmed that the sink height was 34 inches, which meets code for handicap accessibility, but acknowledged that the faucet handles could be changed to improve access. The maintenance staff was unsure if the sink could be lowered further. The administrator confirmed that the facility had previously discussed the resident's concerns about the bathroom but had not taken action to address them until the time of the survey.