| It's refreshing to see on television the | | | | Corridors, aisles and other pathways should |
| recurring theme of able-bodied persons | | | | not be narrower than 48 inches to allow both |
| looking klutzy compared to an agile | | | | a moving person and a wheelchair to pass by |
| wheelchair-bound person. Where once society | | | | without hitting each other.* Think about the |
| wanted to avoid anyone in a wheelchair among | | | | location and height of public phones. Many |
| his social circles, today's climate is much | | | | public pay phones are installed too high for |
| more accepting of wheelchairs. Thanks to | | | | a person sitting in a wheelchair to reach.* |
| disability laws and organizations, wheelchair | | | | Another detail often overlooked is the height |
| ramps and other wheelchair accesses are | | | | of a drinking fountain. Many are set too |
| commonplace in our workplaces, shopping | | | | high.* Restroom stalls need to adhere to |
| centers, schools, and so on.Have you ever had | | | | wheelchair accessibility laws as well.Most |
| to use crutches for a while due to a sprained | | | | workplace and building guidelines must adhere |
| ankle or a broken toe? It is difficult to | | | | to federal and state laws. The Uniform |
| get around your work area on crutches; | | | | Federal Accessibility Standard and the |
| imagine what it might be like if you were in | | | | Disabled Access Regulations set many |
| a wheelchair. Most work areas are now | | | | workplace rules. The Uniform Federal |
| compliant with the latest regulations and | | | | Accessibility Standards provides exact |
| have the necessary workstations in place to | | | | dimensions and codes regarding several |
| accommodate a worker in a wheelchair. All | | | | alterations and provisions that must be |
| aspects of the office space need to be | | | | present in public accessible sites and the |
| considered, from desk height, doorway width, | | | | workplace ( Several federal discrimination |
| flooring material, to hallway width and | | | | laws are set up to protect wheelchair users |
| cubicle size.Below are a few specific | | | | from discrimination or harassment.In addition |
| conditions that make wheelchair access better | | | | to physical arrangement to accommodate |
| at work:* Workstations should be near the | | | | wheelchair access in the workplace, employers |
| main entrance and along the end of a row so | | | | and co-workers can remember the following |
| that the navigator doesn't have to repeatedly | | | | tips:* Suggest that co-workers sit eye-to-eye |
| go through crowded halls.* A desk height and | | | | when meeting with a person in a wheelchair.* |
| width for wheelchair users should have | | | | Remember not to lean on or hold onto the |
| clearance of at least 32 inches. Motorized | | | | wheelchair.* Know that it's okay to talk |
| wheelchairs require more room.* Allow room | | | | about active sports.Federal regulations have |
| inside a workstation or cubical for the | | | | made the workplace accessible for those in a |
| wheelchair to back up and turn and move side | | | | wheelchair. Now everyone who requires access |
| to side. If anyone must work behind the | | | | can achieve it.Copyright 2006 Shuan Mela. All |
| wheelchair, allow that worker to sit at least | | | | rights reserved. Shuan Mela runs KC |
| 60 inches behind.* Doors should be at least | | | | Wheelchair one of the leading on-line |
| 36 inches in width. The average wheelchair is | | | | resources for wheelchair related information |
| about 30 inches wide and hands that rest on | | | | on the Internet. |
| the arms need to clear the doorway as well.* | | | | |