32″ wide: this is the size of the smallest standard wheelchair and walker.
That seems high to me? On ada.gov I see “width of the wheelchair measured to the outside of the rear wheels is 26 inches” and on theaccessibleplanet.com I see “most modern wheelchairs are 24 inches to 27 inches wide from one wheel to the other wheel”. A 32“ door is still best, because getting through doors with minimal clearance is hard, but someone in a wheelchair may still be up for handling 30” or 28″ doors if they know to expect that.
And a reminder that a 30” door has 29” of entry clearance if the door is taken off the hinges (because of the stops on the frame). If the door is opened at 90 degrees, a 30” door might barely allow 27” of clearance. The challenge might draw some attention the event, so use the type of skills described here to make everybody comfortable.
That seems high to me? On ada.gov I see “width of the wheelchair measured to the outside of the rear wheels is 26 inches” and on theaccessibleplanet.com I see “most modern wheelchairs are 24 inches to 27 inches wide from one wheel to the other wheel”. A 32“ door is still best, because getting through doors with minimal clearance is hard, but someone in a wheelchair may still be up for handling 30” or 28″ doors if they know to expect that.
And a reminder that a 30” door has 29” of entry clearance if the door is taken off the hinges (because of the stops on the frame). If the door is opened at 90 degrees, a 30” door might barely allow 27” of clearance. The challenge might draw some attention the event, so use the type of skills described here to make everybody comfortable.
Good point! I just measured some standard cheap new construction doors and found:
You lose 3/8″ on each side to the jamb.
The door open to 90° loses you 1 5/8″ on top of the jamb.
So a 30“ door has a clear opening of 27 5/8” (or 29 1/4″ with the door off).