Dressing rooms in the ADAAG are covered in section 4.35. Dressing rooms in retail stores are not the only place where dressing rooms are found, but it will be the one we discuss in this case study. Here is a summary of the requirements of an accessible dressing room per ADA 4.35
1. An accessible dressing room with a sliding or swing door requires a 180 degree turning circle inside. 2. A dressing room requires a fixed bench
3. The door cannot swing into the clear floor space of the dressing room
4. And if a mirror is provided, then a full length mirror needs to be provided as well.
The dressing room shown in the picture, does not meet any of the requirements. The door swings in, there is no 180 degree turning space and no fixed bench. But if they changed the door to a curtain, then the requirement for turning does not apply.
"...Turning space shall not be required in a private dressing room entered through a curtained opening at least 32 in (815 mm) wide if clear floor space complying with section 4.2 renders the dressing room usable by a person using a wheelchair."
All the other provisions (i.e. bench, mirrors etc.) are still required even if you don't have a door.
