Home Adaptations
Mar 5, 2014 20:07:38 GMT -8
Post by Butiki on Mar 5, 2014 20:07:38 GMT -8
Here is a very informative site about home adaptations.
For people interested in architecture or design for the disabled and using the ANSI standards, it is helpful to understand the difference between accessibility and adaptability. ANSI A117.1 describes accessibility as a site, building, facility or portion thereof that can be approached, entered and used by physically disabled people. Adaptability is the flexibility of certain building elements (such as kitchen counters, sinks and grab bars) to be modified to accommodate the needs of people with different types or degrees of disability. The 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) uses both terms and is based on the ANSI standard Revisions of the ADA were recently published in the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
obviously it's very important we live in a house that is accessible for our daily needs.
Wheelchair Maneuvering Space
The average dimensions of a standard adult manual wheelchair (occupied) are (Figure 1):
length: 46 to 50 inches including allowance for projection of feet to overhang,
width: 23 to 32 inches allowing for hands and elbows,
seat depth: 16 inches,
seat height: 19-20 inches, and
arm height: 29-30 inches from floor.
The sports wheelchair, which has cambered wheels, has a lower seat and is wider, but the overhead reach is not as high as the standard model.
The average distance needed for an adult in a wheelchair to make a complete circle is 60 inches of clear floor space. Minimum clear width for a wheelchair is 36 inches for a hall and 32 inches for a door. Minimum clear space for a T-shaped turn of 180 degrees is 36 inches in all directions. The minimum passage width for one wheelchair and one ambulatory person is 48 inches.
The average reaching distance of a seated adult: side reach maximum height overhead is 54 inches and the low side reach is 9 inches above the floor (Figure 2). This does not include reaching over an obstacle such as a counter. The maximum forward reach is 48 inches above the floor, also not over an obstacle.
The average dimensions of a standard adult manual wheelchair (occupied) are (Figure 1):
length: 46 to 50 inches including allowance for projection of feet to overhang,
width: 23 to 32 inches allowing for hands and elbows,
seat depth: 16 inches,
seat height: 19-20 inches, and
arm height: 29-30 inches from floor.
The sports wheelchair, which has cambered wheels, has a lower seat and is wider, but the overhead reach is not as high as the standard model.
The average distance needed for an adult in a wheelchair to make a complete circle is 60 inches of clear floor space. Minimum clear width for a wheelchair is 36 inches for a hall and 32 inches for a door. Minimum clear space for a T-shaped turn of 180 degrees is 36 inches in all directions. The minimum passage width for one wheelchair and one ambulatory person is 48 inches.
The average reaching distance of a seated adult: side reach maximum height overhead is 54 inches and the low side reach is 9 inches above the floor (Figure 2). This does not include reaching over an obstacle such as a counter. The maximum forward reach is 48 inches above the floor, also not over an obstacle.
Storing Food and Utensils
Another aspect of kitchen design that can help or hinder wheelchair users is the placement of food and dishes. Be inventive and try putting items in different places.
Utensils and appliances should be close to the appropriate work areas, even if it means duplicating some items. Hang long barbecue tongs in various locations throughout the house to retrieve things that fall or are too high to reach.
Keep heavy pots, pans, dishes and mixing bowls on bottom shelves, along with canned foods. Pull-out shelves are easy to install and can provide more bottom shelf space. They can be taken with you if you move. Top shelves can hold boxes, glasses and small items, as well as items not used on a regular basis. If the top shelf is made of clear plastic, a person in a wheelchair can see the contents.
Install shelves in a broom closet to convert it into a pantry. Pegboard, attached to the wall and equipped with hooks, is an excellent way to store pots, pans and utensils or anything else used often. An extension gripper permits a seated person to use high shelves that would otherwise be out of reach. Unbreakable, plastic containers and stainless steel bowls also are helpful.
A rolling cart or cutting-block table with wheels can take food, dishes and small appliances to and from the table (particularly if the table is in another room) or used for a work center. A lazy-susan on a shelf in the refrigerator makes it easier to retrieve food from the back. To help see food that is cooking, attach a removable mirror at an angle to the wall behind the cooktop. It is easier to see cooking food from a wheelchair if clear glass cookware is used.
Another aspect of kitchen design that can help or hinder wheelchair users is the placement of food and dishes. Be inventive and try putting items in different places.
Utensils and appliances should be close to the appropriate work areas, even if it means duplicating some items. Hang long barbecue tongs in various locations throughout the house to retrieve things that fall or are too high to reach.
Keep heavy pots, pans, dishes and mixing bowls on bottom shelves, along with canned foods. Pull-out shelves are easy to install and can provide more bottom shelf space. They can be taken with you if you move. Top shelves can hold boxes, glasses and small items, as well as items not used on a regular basis. If the top shelf is made of clear plastic, a person in a wheelchair can see the contents.
Install shelves in a broom closet to convert it into a pantry. Pegboard, attached to the wall and equipped with hooks, is an excellent way to store pots, pans and utensils or anything else used often. An extension gripper permits a seated person to use high shelves that would otherwise be out of reach. Unbreakable, plastic containers and stainless steel bowls also are helpful.
A rolling cart or cutting-block table with wheels can take food, dishes and small appliances to and from the table (particularly if the table is in another room) or used for a work center. A lazy-susan on a shelf in the refrigerator makes it easier to retrieve food from the back. To help see food that is cooking, attach a removable mirror at an angle to the wall behind the cooktop. It is easier to see cooking food from a wheelchair if clear glass cookware is used.
Mirrors and Storage
Another problem area may be small mirrors or high medicine cabinets. A shelf in the base cabinets or items placed on the counter can make up for not being able to reach the medicine cabinet. The mirror on the medicine cabinet can be taken off and lowered, or a wall mirror can be used. If it cannot be lowered, it can be installed at an angle. For extra storage, add narrow shelves where space permits, and hang coated wire racks and/or baskets nearby.
Another problem area may be small mirrors or high medicine cabinets. A shelf in the base cabinets or items placed on the counter can make up for not being able to reach the medicine cabinet. The mirror on the medicine cabinet can be taken off and lowered, or a wall mirror can be used. If it cannot be lowered, it can be installed at an angle. For extra storage, add narrow shelves where space permits, and hang coated wire racks and/or baskets nearby.
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