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