Adjustable Sink for an Accessible Bathroom vs. A Salon Shampoo Unit

When we talk about bathroom fixtures for people with disabilities, some might not know that there is such a thing as a sink that can be adjusted for height. This is incredibly handy, depending on how tall your wheelchair is, to allow you to slide your knees underneath. Since my wheelchair is the type where I can’t get my knees under a standard-height table or sink, in theory, this type of sink would be perfect for me. I could just raise it a few centimeters.

Someone might ask, “Why not just install it at a height that works for you?”

The answer is simple: The other, shorter members of my household—like my mother, grandmother, or sister—would end up with water running down their elbows and splashing all over the floor because it’s mounted too high for them.

That’s why there’s a standard regulation for how high a sink should be installed. Since I generally use the sink less often than my family, it’s best to have it at a comfortable height for them first. For me, it can be raised as needed.

There are sinks that aren’t as deeply rounded on the underside as classic models; they have a shallower design. These “accessible” sinks are standard in public facilities as part of disabled-access toilets—you’ll find them in shopping malls, hotels, airports, etc.

Out of pure curiosity, I went to check the prices for an adjustable sink, and of course, the four-figure price tag (in euros, no less) immediately made me lose interest. Unjustifiably expensive—though that’s true for all disability equipment.

But.

It wasn’t hard for me to spend a few hours modeling a fully functional adjustable sink in a 3D program. One that could be built as a DIY project and have all the same functions as the most expensive models—for a fraction of the cost.

This is where my motto kicks in: If you can’t buy it, build it.

How to Build It

The idea is to create the whole system without hiring a professional. Anyone with a bit of technical knack can do this, provided they know how to use a couple of hand tools and can learn from YouTube how to mount a sink and connect the hot and cold water valves on the wall.

If you don’t know how to do that, just call someone to help you.

To avoid metalworking, welding, grinding, and painting, we’ll use aluminum construction profiles. It’s a modular system that’s ideal for this kind of project.

Once the real-world measurements were transferred to the 3D program, all that was left was to order the aluminum profiles cut to size, with nuts and corner brackets, and a linear actuator. The existing sink can probably be reused.

If we consider the principles of universal design, this type of sink can also be useful for growing children. They can adjust it to their height, along with the mirror—which is a rarity today, allowing a child to use the sink and mirror at their level. Adults can then simply press a button to return it to their own height.

A great project for those with a bathroom large enough to wheel straight up to the sink.

Speaking of bathroom size, my own bathroom is too tight for an adjustable sink, but I found a brilliant solution for my specific situation.

The salon shampoo unit

As time passes and we age, our flexibility decreases. For several years now, it’s been difficult for me to bend forward over the sink to wash my face or my hair.

My bathroom is tight, and the sink is off to the side when you enter. For years, I’ve always had to contort myself to use it. These acrobatics weren’t such a big problem when I was younger and had a different type of wheelchair.

The older you get, the more you need a comfortable wheelchair.

I solved this problem in an unusual way.

At a store for hairdressing supplies, I found a mobile shampoo unit that turned out to be perfect for washing my hair, my hands, or for a thorough face wash without splashing water all over the bathroom.

The shampoo unit is height-adjustable and can be tilted forward and backward. So when I wash my hair, I lean my wheelchair seat back and rest my head just like women do at the hair salon. It’s a comfortable position where nothing hurts or gets sore, so I can sit for as long as needed without any rush.

As for washing my hands, we adjust the unit’s height so I can put my hands in it. It’s deep enough that there’s no water splashing around. The advantage of the shampoo unit is that it’s mobile, it has a drain hose, and it can be put away after use.

My rating for hair washing? Five stars!

I would love to hear how you solved this kind of problem.