Can a standard porta potty handle a wheelchair user for a 6-week remodel?

Yes, you should insist on an ADA-compliant portable toilet for your father's wheelchair use. A standard unit has a 28- to 30-inch wide door and an interior too narrow for a power wheelchair to enter or turn around. An ADA-compliant unit has a 36-inch wide door, a 60-inch diameter turning space inside, grab bars and a higher toilet seat. Your contractor is wrong: a standard unit does not meet accessibility needs. The rental company will deliver it to your level driveway and service it weekly, which is the norm. The ADA unit costs more due to its larger size, specialized features and lower fleet density, but it is necessary for usability. For a six-week remodel, this is a long-term rental where function outweighs cost. Always verify the unit meets the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.

Ray is correct, but I'll add that the 2010 ADA Standards section 603 specify the interior dimensions: an ADA-compliant portable toilet must provide a 60-inch diameter turning space clear of the door swing and toilet, which a standard unit cannot accommodate. The door must be a minimum of 32 inches clear width when open at 90 degrees, though many models have 36-inch doors for easier approach. Your contractor might be thinking of temporary construction use where OSHA rules apply, but for residential use with a wheelchair user, the ADA unit is functionally necessary. Verify the rental company's unit meets these specs, as some 'ADA' labels are applied loosely.