In the past the benefits of sliding pocket doors were often overlooked when designing new or refurbished accommodation for the disabled. Sliding doors are coming into their own now though, more space, greater manoeuvrability are the main advantages.
Of course you get more usable space and no intrusion into corridors, but if you are a wheelchair user or have difficulties with manoeuvrability it is clearly much, much easier to pass through a sliding pocket door. The awkward backward and forward motion needed when using a hinged door is completely eliminated. This is also the case for anyone using walking aids or indeed blind or sight impaired, as the danger from the leading edge is removed.