When an able-bodied person thinks of accessibility, chances are good what springs to mind for them are physical world accommodations. Disabled parking spaces. Curb cuts on sidewalks. Automatic door openers. Someone may not think so at first blush, but all of these alterations are examples of assistive technology—the only difference is they exist for analog purposes rather than digital ones.

So it goes with disability-friendly restrooms. While an able-bodied person may relish the roomier space in which to do their business, among other features, the truth is the larger space exists not for convenience but for a wheelchair’s sake. There needs to be ample room for a person to get their chair in the room and maneuver to the toilet and/or sink, transferring if necessary. Grab bars near the toilet are there to assist with said movement. All told, these features serve a practical purpose: they’re meant to make using the bathroom—something all humans must do—a more accessible experience. What may feel like a luxury resort to most people is actually a bonafide necessity for disabled people of all types.