CMC Home Accessibility Modification 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum clear floor space required at a toilet to allow a wheelchair user to make a side transfer?
- 42 inches side clearance
- 60 inches side clearance (Correct answer)
- 36 inches side clearance
- 48 inches side clearance
Correct answer: 60 inches side clearance
A 60-inch clear floor space on at least one side of the toilet is required to allow a wheelchair side transfer.
Question 2: Which type of flooring transition is most appropriate when connecting carpet to hard flooring for a wheelchair user?
- A raised metal threshold strip
- A flush or low-profile transition no higher than 1/2 inch beveled (Correct answer)
- A rubber saddle threshold up to 1 inch tall
- A wood reducer strip with a 3/4-inch height difference
Correct answer: A flush or low-profile transition no higher than 1/2 inch beveled
Flush or beveled transitions no higher than 1/2 inch (1/4 inch vertical, 1/2 inch beveled) minimize tipping risk for wheelchair users.
Question 3: A client who uses a standard walker needs a hallway. What is the minimum hallway width recommended for safe walker use?
- 28 inches
- 32 inches
- 36 inches (Correct answer)
- 42 inches
Correct answer: 36 inches
A minimum 36-inch-wide hallway allows a standard walker to pass without the user having to angle the device.
Question 4: When installing a curbless roll-in shower, which drainage design best prevents water from escaping onto the bathroom floor?
- Center drain with a flat floor
- Linear drain at the shower entry threshold
- Corner drain with a 2% floor slope toward the drain (Correct answer)
- Offset drain with a level floor
Correct answer: Corner drain with a 2% floor slope toward the drain
A corner drain combined with a 2% (1/4 inch per foot) floor slope channels water efficiently and keeps the entry area drier.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of a zero-step entry in a home accessibility modification?
- To meet local aesthetic design codes
- To allow wheelchair and scooter users to enter without a ramp or lift (Correct answer)
- To prevent water intrusion from rain
- To comply with fire egress requirements
Correct answer: To allow wheelchair and scooter users to enter without a ramp or lift
A zero-step (no-step) entry eliminates vertical barriers at the threshold, enabling direct access for wheeled mobility device users.
Question 6: Which grab bar orientation is most appropriate beside a bathtub to assist with entering and exiting?
- Vertical bar only at the faucet end
- Horizontal bar along the length of the tub combined with a vertical bar at the entry end (Correct answer)
- Diagonal bar angled downward toward the drain
- Overhead bar suspended from the ceiling above the tub
Correct answer: Horizontal bar along the length of the tub combined with a vertical bar at the entry end
A horizontal bar along the tub provides stability during bathing while a vertical bar at the entry end aids the transition from sitting to standing.
Question 7: A CMC is assessing a kitchen for a client who uses a power wheelchair. Which counter height modification is most critical for independent food preparation?
- Raise counters to 42 inches to improve standing work ergonomics
- Lower a section of countertop to 28–34 inches with knee clearance underneath (Correct answer)
- Install a standard 36-inch counter with a pull-out cutting board
- Replace counters with adjustable-height countertops set to 38 inches
Correct answer: Lower a section of countertop to 28–34 inches with knee clearance underneath
Lowering a counter section to 28–34 inches with at least 27 inches of knee clearance underneath allows a power wheelchair user to roll under and work at the surface.
CMC Home Accessibility Modification 2
What is the minimum clear floor space required at a toilet to allow a wheelchair user to make a side transfer?