Are Ella walk-in tubs ADA compliant? There is no official ADA certification for walk-in tubs, or for any product: the U.S. Access Board, which writes the ADA standards, does not evaluate or certify products. ADA standards apply to buildings such as public accommodations and government facilities, not to typical private homes, and Ella tubs are designed for residential bathrooms with many ADA-compatible elements, including a 17 inch seat height on most models, low thresholds, grab bars, textured floors, and ADA lever faucet handles. For wheelchair users, the Transfer family with its wide L-shape door is built for seated transfers.

What ADA Compliance Actually Means for a Tub

• The ADA regulates places, not products. A hotel, clinic, or other covered facility needs its bathing room to meet the ADA standards, including clear floor space, a seat, grab bars, control placement, and a hand-held shower spray unit.
• Private homes are not covered by the ADA unless part of the home is open to the public as a business.
• Ella tubs are not marketed as ADA-certified because no such certification exists. They are sized for residential bathrooms and include multiple ADA-compatible design elements. If you are outfitting a covered facility, review the specific model's spec drawings against the standards with your architect or contractor.
• What the tubs are certified to, including UL, CSA and the faucet listings, is a separate question answered in safety certifications.

Accessibility Features Built into Ella Tubs

• Low step-in thresholds and textured, slip-resistant floors on all walk-in models; the figure for each model is in step-in threshold heights by model.
• Seat height of 17 inches on most models, similar to a standard chair.
• Deck and wall-mounted grab bars, strategically placed for entry and exit. Most seated tubs include one or two deck-mount bars, and more can be added to the surrounding walls; see grab bars included and add-on.
• Fast-fill faucets with an extendable hand shower; the 2-piece faucet cartridge is certified with an ADA lever.
• Optional heated seat and backrest, and easy-touch or digital controls.

Wheelchair Users: The Transfer Family

Our wheelchair-accessible Transfer tubs use an extra-wide L-shape outward-swing door built for seated transfers. As the video shows, the warm, soft-to-the-touch frameless door provides easy access, there is a low threshold and a textured floor, and an exclusive two-latch gear and shaft lock keeps the door secure and leak-proof. The door opens 172 degrees, with the handle on the front of the door, and the solid white acrylic door has no glass panel. The video covers the two 52 inch models: the Transfer32 (32 x 52 inches) with a 24 inch seat width, 44 inches of interior length, and a 15 1/2 inch seat length, and the Transfer30 (30 x 52 inches) with a 22 inch seat width and the same interior and seat lengths. The Transfer32's soaking depth is 14 1/2 inches. Three more sizes round out the family: Transfer26 (26 inches wide, 19 inch seat) for narrow spaces, Transfer60 (29.5 x 60 inches, 22 inch seat), and TransferXXL (36 x 55 inches) with the widest seat we make at 29 inches. The whole line is compared in the Transfer tub family guide.

Three Ways in

This dealer walkthrough of the Transfer line shows the three entry methods the door allows: a lateral wheelchair transfer onto the seat, a sit-and-swing entry where the bather sits on the seat edge and lifts the legs over the low threshold, and a plain step-in for a bather who can stand. It also shows the heavy door with its mortised hinges and integrated seal, the two-pin lock, the door wing swinging out over a toilet, the two 2 inch drains and the foot jets. The current published figures for the door and the family are the ones in this article and the spec sheets. The Transfer tub family guide linked above compares the sizes, and the team can talk you through the entry method that suits you.

Planning a Wheelchair Transfer

1. Leave clear floor space beside the tub so the wheelchair can pull parallel to the open L-shape door for a lateral transfer onto the molded seat.
2. Remember the outward door needs front clearance for its 172 degree swing; the arc for each model is in outward door swing clearance.
3. To close the door, turn the front-mounted handle clockwise.
4. All five Transfer sizes share one owner's manual, available on each product page under Downloads.

Remodeling for Accessibility, and Paying for It

If you are expanding a bathroom for ADA-style accessibility, plan for a wide doorway and appropriate clear floor space, and work with a local contractor; we can provide the tub specifications and drawings your remodeler needs, and in some areas we can recommend an accessibility remodeler. On funding: we do not work with Medicare, Medicaid, or the VA directly. Some customers purchase first and then seek partial reimbursement from their provider, and reimbursement is never guaranteed. Veterans may qualify for grants such as the VA HISA program, so check with your local VA or veterans organizations; we are happy to supply the product documentation your application needs. The details are in Medicare, insurance and VA coverage.

Common Questions

Still need help? Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support and our team will be glad to confirm the exact numbers for your model, or call (800) 480-6850.