Wheelchair Accessible Construction Tips

Thousands of Americans suffer from illnesses and injuries every year that would require them to use a wheelchair. How much impact does this have on society? If you happen to be a loved one of one of those who has to use a wheelchair, you may have to perform some wheelchair accessible construction at home to make it easier for them to move around.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires public accommodations to meet certain standards so as not to discriminate against the handicapped, including people in wheelchairs. As a result, business owners have to make their facilities accessible for handicapped persons. Not only is it required, but it's also good for business.

So what type of wheelchair accessible construction are you thinking of? Homes and businesses should have handrails, wheelchair ramps, grab bars, and of course, commercial washroom accessories. At home you will need something to sit on while taking a bath, so a folding tub seat or shower seat will be necessary.

For wheelchair ramps, there are many varieties to choose from. The first type is the modular wheelchair ramp which is portable but really strong and affordable. Another is the solid wheelchair ramp, a one piece unit for times when a permanent ramp is needed. A folding wheelchair ramp, on the other hand, is durable and lightweight for travel. Lastly, a threshold wheelchair ramp is specifically created for doorways.

Grab bars and handrails are considered to be two of the most important parts of the wheelchair accessible construction for home or business. They make great accessories for those individuals on wheelchairs, especially in restrooms.

Handrails and bars provide the stability and extra support for those who really need it. In fact, handrails may be used beside a ramp and would prove to be really helpful if the ramp happens to be very long. It will help the individual keep their balance and provide safety.

According to ADA, handrails must also be securely anchored and mounted between 34 and 38 inches high, projected from the wall 1 1/2 inches, and the ends rounded off for safety. On the other hand, grab bars need to be mounted securely and it involves screwing the hardware directly into wall studs or wood blocking.

One of the very important parts of making a home ready for an individual with a wheelchair is the shower or tub seating. There are actually many different types of seating including the L-shaped shower seats and folding tub seats. It is recommended to have the seats mounted on the wall as the individual wouldn't have to place the unit in and out of the tub. Keep in mind that security and safety are the two most important things when working on wheelchair accessible construction. Always ensure that all additions are safely made and comply with the ADA standards.

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Wheelchair Accessible Desks Are Necessary in the Workplace and in Schools

Many people in wheelchairs work at desk jobs these days, and you probably have never thought much about it. It is something that employers need to consider, however, when they hire a handicapped worker. A person like this is going to need a few special accommodations in order to make their workplace more comfortable for them. They may need aisles widened slightly, ramps instead of stairs, and a wheelchair accessible desk designed for use by a person seated in a wheelchair. Although these special considerations are no reason not to hire the perfect applicant for the job, they are still something that employers have to think about.

There are many different styles of wheelchair accessible desks available, and something can be found to complement any type of office décor. They are constructed to be very open underneath their tops, allowing a wheelchair as much space as it requires. There are also many optional features which you may or may not need to buy. Some desks come with a storage cubicle underneath which is located on one side to maximize the amount of space under the desk for the wheelchair. Many of these desks are adjustable so that they are appropriate for anyone from Kindergarten up through adulthood.

Schools are required to have wheelchair accessible desks available for students who need them. People in wheelchairs aren't the only ones that need them, though. More and more students are becoming obese and can no longer fit in a regular-sized desk. Having wheelchair accessible desks in each classroom gives these students a place to sit without them having to make an issue of their weight. Many of these desks have lockable casters on the bottom so that they can be moved around the room or the building if so desired.

Handicapped people don't want you to feel sorry for them or to have you do everything for them, but they do appreciate having the equipment they need to put in a good day at work or school. By giving them with wheelchair accessible desks, you're providing them with comfortable work and computer stations so that they can be just as productive as everyone else, if not more so.

Finding the right wheelchair and accessories is key to living a more mobile life for those with mobility challenges. Visit Wheelchariot.com for more tips on wheelchair accessible construction and portable mobility scooters and make a more informed decision.

Wheelchair Accessible Stairs

No longer will your loved ones be held prisoners in their own house and be unable to move from one floor to another. A stair lift will provide the solution for their home by creating wheelchair accessible stairs and open the upper levels for those with limited mobility. In the past, many elderly individuals were pressured out of their multi-leveled homes because they lived alone and there was no way for them to get to their second floor bedrooms. To lose the home that you lived in for years just because of aging or an accident is very hard to deal with. Seniors and the newly disabled used to deal with this tough situation but with the invention of wheelchair accessible stairs, the decision is simpler.

Decreased mobility in our old age is a problem but the real pain comes from the knees as we go up and down the stairs. The knees are unable to perform like they used to and with each lift of the knee on the stairs, there is a potential fall. Knees are particularly complex parts of our bodies and one tear of the ligaments in that area can devastate ones' ability to walk forever. Doctors advise those with weakened knees to stay away from climbing up the stairs until they regain the ability to balance themselves with one leg up. In this scenario, a stair lift that is wheelchair accessible can increase your mobility around the home you know and love so much.

Accessible Stairs Alternatives
Some people have considered the installation of private elevators in their home but this requires a lot more structural work and building codes to follow. In addition, as expensive as a stair lift can be, an elevator lift is much more costly. This is also a permanent fixture to the home and would require a lot more work hours to install and deconstruct if one would ever want to sell the home. A stair lift can be purchased new, rented or bought used and removed without any visual damage to the walls or stairways.

Your stair lift could be set up with wonderful care so that there is no damage to current architectural features. Stair lifts can also match the colors of the home. They could be produced of complementary materials like wood to match the home decor.

If renewing your mobility in your home is a top concern of yours, then there should be no reason to further delay the process with doubt. So do some comparison shopping with stair-lift installers and make the right choice on the product that will fit your exact needs. Grow old with your home instead of moving out when you get too limited in your mobility and continue to enjoy the rooms well into your golden years.

Find out more about the costs and get more details about purchasing wheelchair stair lifts before making this home modification. You may be surprised by the actual price of owning your own stairlift. Discover other aids that can help improve your lifestyle such as a handicap chair that can ease and raise you off your chair.

How to Choose a Wheelchair Accessible Handicap Van

Which accessible van is best for you? You have options. You have a choice between a lowered floor minivan with a ramp, and a full size van with a lift. The first thing to consider is how tall you sit in your chair. Some people have called me and asked: "how much to put a ramp in the side of my van?" If only it were that simple. Consider the height inside a minivan, and then measure how tall you sit in your chair. A normal size adult will not be able to sit up in a wheelchair, inside a non modified minivan. Another thing to consider; a ramp would have to be of considerable length so it is not too steep. Once a minivan is modified, the floor is lowered by 10-14 inches. The door opening height in a lowered floor minivan is between 53 inches and 56 inches. The interior height will vary, depending on the year, make and model of the vehicle.

If you sit over 56 inches tall, you may be more comfortable in a full size van. The best way to determine this is to go to a mobility dealer. This way you can roll into the different size vans to see how you fit. We have seen situations where a customer had a van delivered from an internet dealer. The driver gave him the keys and left. The customer, excited about his new van rolled up the ramp, and saw that he could not fit. He sat up too tall, and was not able to bend his head. This is why it is very important to try different size vans. There are different options available for a full size van. You can raise the top for optimal interior height. You can also have the doors raised if needed. Sometimes this is not enough. The floor can also be lowered by 6 or 9 inches in a full size van. The lowered floor can be done in the center area only, or a full cut, which includes the front seating area. Some people choose to lower the floor without the raised roof and doors. It all depends on your individual needs. This is why it is important to try before you buy. Other options are remote entry, where the doors open with the touch of a button on your remote. Luxury interiors are also available, with 19 inch digital screens, sound systems, and other high end interiors and electronics from which to choose. There are several packages available. Having trouble deciding between full size and minivan? Send me an email. I will help best I can.

Let's say you prefer a minivan. Your next decision is between a fold out ramp, or an in-floor ramp. Let me point out a few things. Should your vehicle lose power for any reason, the fold out ramp is easily pushed out for a quick emergency exit. For manual operation, the in-floor ramp would need to be physically pulled out from outside, or cranked out from the inside. This would be a challenge for anyone with decreased upper body strength. Another thing to consider is that you lose an inch of interior height with the in-floor ramp conversion. I am a paraplegic who drives a lowered floor minivan. My preference is the fold out ramp just because of the reasons stated above.

Next, should you choose a lowered floor minivan with a power ramp and door, or a manual ramp and door? That depends on your situation. If you are not a driver and have someone with you all the time, the manual conversion may work for you. Please consider that it takes some effort to deploy and stow the ramp manually. An older or less agile person may not be able to do this with ease. This is why the majority of lowered floor minivans sold have the automatic ramp and door.

Dave Bergeron
dbergeron@advancedmobility.net
http://www.advancedmobility.net

Dave is with Advanced Mobility Systems of Texas, Inc, located in the the Dallas/Fort Worth area. We are a member of NMEDA and are licensed vehicle modifier in the State of Texas. We install wheelchair lifts, hand controls, and other driving aids. We also have wheelchair accessible vehicles available for immediate delivery. Take a look at our website to see what we have in our inventory.

Wheelchair Accessible Bathrooms - 5 Necessities For Easy Access

There are millions of people all over the world with many types of disabilities. Several of these disabilities make it extremely difficult for wheelchair-bound individuals to gain access to the necessities they need - particularly bathrooms

Bathrooms can pose extreme barriers for disabled people and can make an ordinarily simple task time consuming, frustrating and often impossible.

Creating a wheelchair accessible washroom - whether for residential or commercial purposes - has become more and more popular. If you're thinking of creating a new wheelchair accessible washroom - or updating an existing bathroom to accommodate wheelchairs - there are several things you'll want to consider.

1. Doorway Widening. Before you even consider the wheelchair bathroom accessories, you need to make sure a standard wheelchair can fit through the door of your washroom. A standard wheelchair is 24-17" wide. A wheelchair accessible bathroom doorway should be a minimum of 32" wide.

2. Grab Bars. Safety grab bars make it easier and more convenient for wheelchair bound individuals to gain appropriate access to all areas of the bathroom. Installing grab bars next to the toilet and near bathing areas and inside showers and tubs is essential. You may also want to consider installing grab bars behind the toilet and installing roll-under sinks and vanities.

3. Accessible Showers and Bathtubs. Residential washrooms where one or more of the residents (or even a close family member who visits often) should be converted to accommodate wheelchairs. Roll-in showers and walk-in bath tubs are a great way to make the showering process easier.

4. Tilted Mirrors and Accessible Cabinets. Wheelchair accommodating washrooms should definitely have at least one tilted mirror for disabled individuals. There's no sense building an entire washroom for easy wheelchair access if you're going to leave out the mirror. As we mentioned before, roll under sinks and counters are also very accommodating for wheelchair-bound individuals.

We hope our tips have helped and we're happy to hear you're taking the time to research the necessities of a wheelchair accessible bathroom. It's not an easy task, but it's worth the work in the end.

Rhonda Splinter has been helping disabled individuals with accessiblity issues for many years. She specializes in designing wheelchair accessible shower stalls. In her spare time she shares her knowledge with the readers of TheWheelchairSite.com.

Wheelchair Accessible Picnic Tables For Every Recreational Facility

When winter comes to an end and all that is beautiful blooms into season there are many anticipations that come to mind. Going to the park is always one outdoor event that I look forward to. I love feeding the ducks with my kids and having a football to toss back and forth. When it's time to take a break and have a delicious lunch we always look for the perfect spot and the perfect picnic table. I always get excited to eat outdoors with my children and watch them sneak a bite of food for those ever so wandering ducks and geese, they seem to love hovering around you waiting for that next bread crumb.

There have been many times that I would wonder about people that were wheelchair bound. I would look around to see whether they could sit and have a delicious lunch at a picnic table just like my family. Unfortunately I never saw wheelchair accessible picnic tables. What I did notice were accessible ramps for wheelchair bound people, restrooms and automatic door openers but no wheelchair accessible picnic tables.

Wheelchair accessible picnic tables can help facilitate not only those that are wheelchair bound but their families and loved ones as well. I would assume that every state and local park facility would want more visitors to enjoy their environment. Allowing accessible picnic areas should be a consideration for facility operators. Providing wheelchair accessible picnic tables can be an easy process especially since ADA picnic tables come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

There are 8 foot standard ADA picnic tables that allow accessibility on either end of the table. There are 46 inch round or square ADA picnic tables that are made with an attractive thermoplastic finish and a tubular steel under-structure. This protective coating is rust, corrosion and scuff resistant. This is of vital importance when you are looking for the best quality and most durable to the outdoors.

Another point to consider is whether you want all your outdoor picnic tables directly out in the sun. Place some accessible picnic tables in the shade for people who may be photosensitive. Sitting in the sun may increase the risk of health issues such as overheating, sunburns or other heat related illnesses. Certain medications or impairments may also increase sun sensitivity that could cause greater illness due to heat.

Provide information showing the location of these accessible areas. Information such as maps, brochures and signage should be placed at the entrances to prevent long searches for the accessible area. Always keep in mind that every individual is different. If you are sensitive to the needs of others you can guarantee a more enjoyable environment and a more visited facility.

For more information about Wheelchair Accessible picnic tables go to http://www.picnictableoutlet.com and see what a huge variety you have to choose from.

Take 10 Minutes - Ask 10 Questions - Shopping For a Wheelchair Accessible Van

In this wonderful era of technology, there is a plethora of information at our fingertips, anytime we want or need it. Simply type in any keyword phrase into Google or Yahoo and information overload hits us like a slap in the face.

Let's take for example the term wheelchair van. After typing that into Google, there are 592,000 results that appear. Now take the phrase handicap van, which yields 706,000 results on Google. How does one decipher what is valid and legitimate information, especially when we all have the attention span of a 5 year old and can only get through 2-3 pages of results.

VMI has launched a new campaign this week to assist buyers of wheelchair accessible vans get one step closer to finding answers to very important questions, many of which are foreign to many first time buyers and even second and third time buyers. After talking with hundreds of our customers over the years, these questions are, in my opinion, the most important, in terms of what best suits you and your needs. We all want certain features, but the wheelchair user may have needs that outweigh those wants and desires.

1. What are the differences between an in-floor and fold-out ramp?
2. How does SURE DEPLOY help in case of vehicle power failure?
3. Why is a 55 1/23 door opening height so important?
4. What is the benefit of having an 8 degree ramp angle?
5. Why is an 113 dropped floor beneficial?
6. What does "wheelchair maneuverability" in an accessible van mean?
7. How do I know how much interior headroom I need in an accessible van?
8. Is the functionality of the front passenger's seat the same with all ramp systems?
9. Where is the spare tire located and how is it accessed?
10. How much ground clearance do I need to clear speed bumps?

When searching for a wheelchair van, take these 10 questions to your local Certified Mobility Equipment Dealer and take 10 minutes to get educated. Test out different vehicles with you and your family and see which best fits you. Just because it is a wheelchair accessible van, does not mean it is a one size fits all. Take a look inside the latest VMI wheelchair accessible minivan.

Choosing Accessible Showers

If you have a family member who is handicapped and confined to a wheelchair, you will no doubt need to install an accessible shower. There are numerous styles of handicap showers, but as a general rule, an accessible shower is designed so that the person can enter the shower without the need to get out of their wheelchair. Sometimes referred to as a roll in shower, this style of shower enclosure can provide a handicapped person with a great deal of independence and safety, as compared to other shower styles. However, the term "accessible shower" is also sometimes used to describe any shower that is designed for easy access by a handicapped or elderly individual, even if they are not confined to a wheelchair. For this reason, it is extremely important that you understand the specific features of a shower before you purchase it, to make sure it meets your exact needs.

Important Features to Look for in Accessible Showers

Just as with other handicap showers, you'll want to make sure that there are no sharp edges or glass surfaces that could cause injury if a person slips, falls, or bumps into anything with a wheelchair or their body. The shower must also be designed so that there are no ledges or uneven surfaces on the bottom of the shower that would prevent a wheelchair from rolling freely. Shower pan enclosures that are lower than the entrance of the shower should be avoided, as they can be dangerous or even impossible to negotiate in a wheelchair. They should also be large enough so that the wheelchair can be easily maneuvered in and out of the shower enclosure.

How to Choose an Accessible Shower

In addition to looking for safety and accessibility features, you will need to decide whether to get a commercially manufactured shower or to try and adapt an existing shower to suit a person's needs. In most cases, a commercially manufactured shower is the best solution, as standard showers are often difficult to adapt for wheelchair access. Commercially available shower models are often surprisingly affordable, especially as compared to what you might need to spend to properly adapt an existing shower. These showers are usually mass produced, so that they can be supplied to nursing homes, retirement communities, hospitals and other care centers, so manufacturers can often keep costs affordable. You will find highly accessorized showers in addition to simpler "bare bones" models. In many cases, a simpler shower is the best choice. Not only are they less expensive, but they can give you the opportunity to install features such as grab bars and other features in the location that would work best for your bathroom. Additionally, in the case of an accessible shower, fewer features is often preferable to more, since accessories can cause problems when trying to maneuver a wheelchair. Some accessible showers, especially those which are also designed for those who are not wheelchair-bound, have features such as towel bars and soap racks that could just get in the way when a person is in a wheelchair. Installing only the features that are truly needed by the handicapped person for comfortable and convenient showering is often the best approach.

For more information on an ADA accessible shower or ADA grab bars contact an accessibility expert at BarrierFree.org