Submitted by ManuelRothe on Tue, 12/03/2019 - 18:42

Specific handles facilitate opening, grabbing, lifting, and pushing doors or windows for women and men with disabilities, older people and children.

Chose handles that are easy to grab. Avoid cylindrical handles which are difficult to grip and turn.

Different types of door handles, indicating that cylindrical handle should not be used
©Julie Smith

Doorhandles should be positioned at a height between 80-90 cm for easy use for wheelchair users, children or persons with dwarfism. On a sliding door, an excellent pull handle is the "D" pull handle, as shown in the drawing below together with other easy to grip handles.

 

Four examples of door handles. A "D" pull handle, a turn handle, a push handle and a pull handle
© US Ministry of Justice
Sources
Jones, H and Reed, B. Water and Sanitation for disabled people. Designing services to improve accessibility, WEDC Loughborough University, 2005.
Americans with Disability Act. Checklist for emergency shelters, 2007.
Top of page