U.S. Department of Justice

Civil Rights Division

Disability Rights Section

ADA/Section 504 Design Guide:

Americans with Disabilities Act

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

Accessible Cells in Correctional Facilities

Many inmates in State and local correctional facilities 

have mobility disabilities and need to be housed in 

accessible cells. Yet, many correctional facilities do 

not have enough cells that are accessible to inmates 

with disabilities. Federal laws protect people with 

disabilities from discrimination by State and local 

governments, including entities that own or operate 

correctional facilities. All such entities are covered by 

the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), 

and those that receive Federal funds are also covered by 

section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. These laws prohibit 

discrimination against persons with disabilities, including 

inmates who use wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, or other 

mobility devices. While all aspects of law enforcement 

and correctional services are covered by these laws - 

including facilities, employment, transportation, and other 

activities, programs, and services - this guide focuses on 

the prevention of discrimination against inmates with 

mobility disabilities through the design of accessible cells.

Security

Accessible cells do not compromise the 

security of prison personnel. In fact, having 

accessible cells increases security because 

they allow inmates with mobility disabilities to 

function independently, minimizing the need for 

assistance from guards.

Basic Features

Inmates with disabilities - including those who 

use wheelchairs - need to be able to enter their 

cells and move around inside them, using the 

cellsʼ features without assistance. What makes 

this possible? Careful planning and design will 

incorporate elements such as a wider entrance 

door, adequate clear floor space, appropriate 

placement and models of fixtures and furniture, 

and grab bars.

Location or Dispersion of Cells

Dispersing accessible cells throughout a 

facility ensures that inmates with disabilities 

are able to be housed with inmates of the same 

classification levels. Generally, inmates with 

disabilities who are not ill do not need to be 

housed in a medical ward.

Furniture and Cell Features

Accessible cells need to contain the same 

features as other cells for inmates housed at the 

same classification level. For instance, where 

other cells contain writing desks, accessible 

writing desks are needed in accessible cells.

Clear floor spaces for inmates who use mobility devices
Room Layout and General Features

Note: 

Some features shown in this document may 

be inappropriate for cells where inmate 

suicide is a concern. See the notes for 

features specifically designed to minimize 

suicide risk, while providing accessibility for 

inmates with mobility disabilities.

Appropriate clear floor space (shown by dashed 

lines) is needed adjacent to each cell feature (see 

page 1 diagrams on clear floor space). As shown 

in this drawing, the clear floor spaces for each 

element may overlap. Inmates with a mobility 

disability should be able to use, and move without 

obstruction among, the easily accessible features 

of their cells. There needs to be adequate turning 

space within the cell -- either a 60-inch-diameter 

circle or a T-shaped turn area. 

(See page 5 for diagrams on turning space.)

2

Doors with 32 inches of 

clear opening width (when 

a sliding door is fully 

opened or a hinged door 

is open 90 degrees). Clear 

floor space is required in 

Accessible toilet with rear and front of the door.

side grab bars, clear floor space 

for wheelchair transfer, and an 

accessible flush valve.

Accessible lavatory with knee and toe 

space below, faucet controls usable with 

a loosely closed fist, clear floor space for 

front approach, and lowered mirror.

Bed with clear 

floor space for 

a side approach 

next to bed. 

Desk with knee and toe 

space and clear floor space 

for front approach. 
Features of an Accessible Toilet

Clear floor space: Adequate space is provided to 

approach the toilet from a variety of wheelchair 

transfer positions (for example, front, diagonal, or 

side approaches). Generally, the toilet needs to be 

placed within a 60-inch-wide by 59-inch-deep clear 

area of the floor.

Toilet seat height: The toilet 

seat needs to be from 17 to 

19 inches above the floor to 

permit transfers to and from 

wheelchairs.

Toilet centerline: The toilet bowl 

needs to be centered 18 inches 

from the side wall, so that inmates 

with disabilities can use the side 

grab bar.

Grab bars: Horizontal grab bars 

are needed for stabilization and 

assistance during a transfer from a 

wheelchair.

Side grab bar: 

There is a grab bar 

on the adjacent 

side wall that is at 

least 40 inches long 

and from 33 to 36 

inches above the 

floor.

Rear grab bar: There is a grab 

bar behind the toilet that is at 

least 36 inches long and from 33 

to 36 inches above the floor.

Toilet paper: If a 

toilet paper dispenser 

is provided, it needs 

to be located in an 

accessible location 

and be operable 

using one hand. If 

traditional toilet paper 

holders are not used, 

loose sheets of toilet 

paper are acceptable.

Flush valve is located in reach 

range and is operable without tight 

grasping, twisting, or pinching.

Note: 

Grab bars can be designed 

so they do not increase 

suicide risk. As shown, there 

are several ways for grab 

bars to be designed with 

adequate gripping surfaces, 

while ensuring that nothing 

can be tied onto them.

3 Profiles of accessible grab bars with suicide prevention feature.
Mirrors: If provided, mirrors 

need to be mounted with the 

bottom edge of the reflecting 

surface no higher than 40 inches 

above the floor.

Note: 

In every instance, regardless of toilet and lavatory configuration, 

adequate space needs to be provided for inmates who use 

wheelchairs to transfer onto and off of the toilet.

Lavatory knee clearance: To allow persons 

who use wheelchairs to pull under the lavatory 

and to use the faucet hardware, the following 

features need to be provided -- a 29-inch-high 

clearance under the front edge of the lavatory, 

the top of the bowl mounted no higher than 34 

inches above the floor, a 27-inch-high clearance 

for knee space extending at least 8 inches from 

the front of the lavatory, and a 9-inch-high toe 

space extending not more than 6 inches from 

the back wall.

Faucets: Faucet handles or controls need 

to be usable with one loosely closed fist, 

because some people with disabilities can 

use only one hand and cannot grasp or 

twist faucets. Lever-operated, push-type 

mechanisms, and U-shaped handles are 

acceptable designs.

Burn protection: To protect against leg burns, 

hot water and drain pipes need to be covered 

or otherwise configured to protect against 

contact. Some people with disabilities have 

little or no sensation in their legs and can be 

burned without knowing it.

Features of Accessible Lavatories and Mirrors

Clear floor space is needed 

for a forward approach to 

the lavatory.

4
Features of Accessible Furniture

All furniture placed in accessible cells 

for the use of inmates with disabilities 

needs to be accessible.

Beds: Providing beds at 

an appropriate height, 

generally from 17 to 19 

inches, facilitates transfers 

to and from wheelchairs. In 

some cases, an appropriately 

mounted grab bar can assist 

an inmate to transfer between 

the bed and a wheelchair.

Bed transfer space: A 30-inch 

by 48-inch clear floor space 

facilitates transfer from a 

wheelchair to the bed.

Desk size: If provided, the 

writing surface of desks 

and writing tables is no 

higher than 34 inches. To 

provide adequate knee 

and leg clearance, desks 

and writing tables need 

to have at least 30 inches 

of knee width, 29 inches 

of knee height, and 19 

inches of leg depth.

Desk clear floor space: If 

provided, desks and writing 

tables need to have a 30-inch 

by 48-inch clear floor space 

that extends 19 inches under 

the desk and any fixed seat 

needs to be removable.

5

For more information about the

Americans with Disabilities Act 

(ADA), please visit the Department of Justiceʼs Home Page, 

www.ada.gov, or call us on 

the ADA Information Line. 

800-514-0301 (voice)

800-514-0383 (TTY)

Reproduction is encouraged. 60-inch (1525mm) 

Diameter Space T-Shaped Space for 180o Turns