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