In the early 1980's the writing was on the wall. Most people in wheelchairs could not use the primitive handicapped toilet stall, in the 1961, reaffirmed in 1971 ANSI, that had two long hand rails on each side, and required a 180 degree turn.

These hand rails were 33 inches, parallel to the floor.

The young, strong and well developed paraplegics could handle this tough transfer. The rest of the people in wheelchairs were just out of luck.

As momentum mounted for a toilet stall that most people in wheelchairs could use with privacy, the powerful stainless steel industry, deeply entrenched in ANSI Committees saw that they were about to lose one long, expensive grab bar per every toilet stall for eternity. BIG BUCKS! Big bucks meaning millions and millions of dollars, over and over.

To counteract this gigantic financial loss, industry developed a new need  for people with disabilities. This was a handrail behind every water closet. To accomplish this con job, industry had to do two things:

The con job was so successful, that the drawings and 33-36 inch standard made it into ADA and the Federal Register. I have yet to meet a wheelchair bound person who can use this transfer method or a physical therapist who teaches this transfer to a soul.

Worse, the toilet seat height was also lowered to 17-19 inches.

When the seat height is 17 inches and the bars are 36 inches about everyone making wheelchair transfers is simply screwed.

When the seat is 18-19 inches and the grab bars are 33 inches everybody making transfers and adjustments are accommodated as best as possible. 

Oh, that handrail on the back of the water closet?. It is a 98+%  useless, unneeded, decorative, expensive bar that just adds money to the corporations in the stainless steel grab bar business.

This con job has lasted into 2001. Can you believe it?

I sent a letter about this industry con job to Janet Reno, Department of Justice, when she was first appointed. The response was a unintelligible letter about the subject I was writing to her about.