What is an accessible shower?

An accessible shower is a shower that is easily entered by anybody, regardless of their mobility level. You will also hear them called curbless showers, no-step showers and zero-entry showers.

Most traditional showers have a threshold you step over. People often use them for years without a problem. Then a life event such as surgery comes along, and that step suddenly becomes an obstacle to showering safely. That is usually when people start thinking about converting to an accessible shower.

The 6 basics

1. Easy to enter and exit

Everyone should be able to get in and out easily, from people who walk without difficulty to people who rely on a wheeled mobility device.

2. Everything within reach

You should be able to reach all items in the shower, including:

• Water controls
• Handheld shower head
• Soap and shampoo
• Grab bars for balance

3. Usable sitting or standing

All items should be easy to reach whether you are sitting or standing.

4. A place to rest

A folding wall-mounted shower seat is often the perfect solution. If you only need a temporary setup, a portable shower chair works well. Choose a seat that is large enough for the person using it but still leaves room for anyone who stands to shower, and check that the weight capacity covers the largest user.

5. A slip-resistant floor

EZ Able® prefabricated showers have slip resistance built into the floor. If you are using tile, choose one with a slip-resistance rating. Under the ANSI A137.1-2012 standard, ceramic tile for level interior spaces expected to be walked on when wet must have a minimum wet DCOF AcuTest value of 0.42.

6. Easy-to-operate controls

• Single-hand operation
• An easy water diverter if you use a separate handheld shower head
• Thermostatic control. Some people lose temperature sensitivity as they age, so it helps to control water temperature by more than touch alone.
• Handholds or grab bars for balanced support

Common questions

What is another name for an accessible shower?

Accessible showers are also called curbless showers, no-step showers and zero-entry showers.

How slip-resistant should shower floor tile be?

Under ANSI A137.1-2012, ceramic tile for level interior spaces walked on when wet must have a minimum wet DCOF AcuTest value of 0.42.

What should I check when choosing a shower seat?

Make sure it is large enough for the user, still leaves room for anyone who stands, and has a weight capacity that covers the largest user.

Related help

• Building a barrier-free bathroom
• Buyer's guide: choosing an accessible shower
• Do curbless showers leak?
• Shop curbless showers
• Walk-in vs. curbless vs. ADA showers