Accessible Period Care to Support ADA Compliance
Key Takeaways:
- The placement and usability of period product dispensers are part of creating accessible restrooms that meet ADA compliance standards.
- Free-vend dispensers with high-contrast push buttons support ADA compliance when placed at the appropriate height and place.
- Period product dispensers must be positioned to be accessible to individuals with disabilities and be usable with one hand.
- ADA guidelines also say dispensers should not require “tight grasping, pinching or twisting of the wrist,” meaning coin-operated dispensers are not compliant.
- Beyond compliance, accessibility is about creating spaces where everyone feels valued and respected, including ensuring restrooms are fully stocked with easy-to-access period products.
Accessibility in the workplace isn’t just a legal requirement. It’s about creating spaces where everyone feels valued and respected. And that includes the restroom.
Beyond ramps and grab bars, other restroom supplies like period product dispensers and their placement are part of complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Here are some practical ways you can create more accessible period care for your employees and guests.
Select a dispenser that’s easy to see and use
Picking the right dispenser is key to accessible period care. Some features to consider when selecting a dispenser include:
- No quarters. No twisting knobs: Period product dispensers that have turning knobs or require a quarter are not designed for people with disabilities to operate.
- High contrast: For people with low vision, high-contrast activation buttons are easier to identify.
A dispenser like the Aunt Flow® Model E Dispenser is free-vend with push buttons that are designed for high contrast with a dark gray button and a matte-finish texture, contrasting with a light gray, gloss-finish background. The Model E Dispenser is ADA compliant when placed at the appropriate height and location.
Placement Matters
Where you place your period product dispenser and how accessible it is to people operating a wheelchair are critical. Some helpful things to consider include:
- Make sure the dispensers are hung no higher than 48 inches from the floor to comply with ADA height regulations to ensure access for those in wheelchairs.
- Place your dispensers so they won’t be hidden by a swinging door. This can become a barrier to access.
- Ensure dispensers are visible as soon as someone enters the restroom, so it’s clear where products are available.
- If your restroom has at least two entrances and more than 16 stalls, you should hang dispensers at both ends of the room. High-traffic restrooms require more supplies.
- Include signage in multiple languages next to your dispensers to educate and explain the period program to your employees and guests.
Creating well-stocked, welcoming spaces
More than compliance, accessibility means welcoming environments designed to account for everyone’s needs.
That’s why the restroom supply experts at Cintas are teaming up with Aunt Flow to create spaces where everyone feels valued and respected, starting with the most fundamental aspects, like ensuring restrooms are fully stocked with easily accessible period products.
By combining 100% organic tampons and pads with easy-to-use, free-vend dispensers and regular service, Cintas and Aunt Flow are changing the world, one cycle at a time® to help your facility show all employees and guests that their needs matter.
Discover how we can make period care easier at your facility.
Frequently asked questions
Is my restroom accessible?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides guidelines on the placement and usability requirements for ramps, grab bars and other accessories like period product dispensers in restrooms so they are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Following these guidelines will support the ADA compliance of your restroom.
How do I know if my pad and tampon dispenser are ADA compliant?
The height and placement must meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines to ensure access for individuals with disabilities, especially people operating from a wheelchair. Also, ensuring that your dispenser can be operated with one hand without twisting of the wrist and without coins helps support ADA compliance.
Where do I put a pad and tampon dispenser to be accessible?
Yes. Aunt Flow’s period products are made without PFAS and without added ingredients like phthalates, dyes, fragrances, rayon or chlorine bleaching.
How can workplaces provide PFAS‑free period care?
Make sure dispensers are hung no higher than 48 inches from the floor to comply with ADA height regulations to allow those in wheelchairs to access the dispenser. Also, ensure your dispensers are visible and won’t be hidden by a swinging door, which can create a barrier to access, especially for people with disabilities.