Dear Friends, 

I come late to this discussion, and wasn’t part of the online meeting but ….. my local pub has come up with an ingenious solution to loo doors in tight spaces (for ‘normal’ loos, not specifically accessible ones, but I think it’s clever and simple, and I’m pretty sure it could work for accessible loos too). They have wooden doors, not MDF or hollow, panelled doors, and they have simply sawed them down the middle from top to bottom. Then each half is hinged on the doorframe side, and they fasten with a couple of sliding bolts and/or hooks. I’m sure the fastening mechanism could be adapted to suit wheelchair users. And it means that only half a door width has to be folded out of the way when it’s vacant/open. 

In Friendship,

Kate Bone 
Room Lettings Secretary
Wandsworth Quaker Meeting
07765 245 097


On Mon, 27 Oct 2025 at 14:42, Lancaster Quakers <lancasterquakers@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear Judi 

I'm a non wheelchair users of accessible toilets and have encountered some really tricky bi-fold doors.  They often get stuck, or need a level of agility to jiggle them open or closed (newer versions may glide much better than the old style version though).  They can also create a difficult space to negotiate/manoeuvre bodies, sticks, or chairs around - filling the space where the user might need to be, as they're being opened and folded to the side.  I've used doors that are too heavy, and I've used doors that are lightweight but less stable.  Sliding pocket and non pocket doors are my preferred options, where space allows.

Nottingham Meeting’s accessible toilet has (had) a sliding door than was not a pocket door.  Although not modern, and nothing special, I never knew it to fail, and I never heard any complaints from building users.

All the best

Tasha

Natasha Heny
Meeting House Manager (Warden)
Lancaster Quaker Meeting House
lancasterquakers@gmail.com
https://lancasterquakers.org.uk/room-hire/
015246291
07506321033

(I work flexible hours over 5 days and have two days off each week)

On Mon, 27 Oct 2025, 14:24 Debbie Abel, <debbie.m.abel@gmail.com> wrote:
As a full time wheelchair user, I would agree with Wendrie's final paragraph that pocket doors where possible are best. I have a sliding door for downstairs toilet which works reasonably well.
Debbie Abel. Ealing Meeting premises committee.

On Mon, 27 Oct 2025, 11:25 Wendrie Heywood, <wendrie@mindfulbusinessservices.com> wrote:
Hi Judi,

Not a meeting house, but I was at a conference where there were bi-fold doors to get into the accessible/accompanied toilet. They tended to stick, and to get caught on the wheelchairs/sticks as people went in and out.

During the discussion of 'what we'd do better if designing these' the following was mentioned: 
  • Having an indent so the door when folded is within the wall, and not sticking out. 
  • Ensuring that the door function is usable from both sides and easy to move/fold. One of them had a guiding bit at the top and everyone agreed that didn't work.
  • Finding the right weight so they're not too heavy, ensuring they are well maintained so that someone with mobility issues is still able to move them and fold them.
I'd not come across bi-fold doors for loos, and found the conversation fascinating, so made notes to the general amusement of other people in the bar.

The preferred alternative where a standard door wouldn't work, was two pocket doors that slid into the walls either side to leave the doorway clear, but that wouldn't have worked in the conference centre without ripping out the entire area and starting again...



On Sun, 26 Oct 2025 at 16:29, Judi Brill <bedminster.bookings@bristolquakers.org.uk> wrote:
Dear Friends

I have be asked by our Premises Committee to enquire if any Meeting House has experience and advice about using or fitting bifold doors to improve access to an accessible toilet?

I look forward to hearing from anyone who can help.

All good wishes
Judi

Judi Brill
Bookings Administrator
Bedminster Quaker Meeting
Wedmore Vale
Bristol
BS3 5HX
///yarn.foil.lifted
0117 942 9142
07967 558615







bristolquakers.org.uk


Bristol Area Quaker Meeting is registered at Companies House as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation No CE011904  and is Registered Charity No 1175435

Registered Office: Horfield Quaker Meeting House, 300 Gloucester Road, Bristol, BS7 8PD

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