Disaboom

Neurostimulation Devices Help Those Suffering From Chronic Pain

Fri, 16 May 2008 19:49:00 GMT

Star Trek’s Borg have them. The Bionic Woman has them. They are computerized devices implanted into the brain. They don’t give super-human strength or the ability to see a flea a mile away in real life. But they’re not science fiction either. Currently devices either restore some degree of function to a disabled body or deliver medication when other methods of delivery prove ineffective. I’ve had a daily mind-numbing headache for the past seven years. I’ve tried pills and radiation therapy. Yesterday...(read more)

Keeping Your Family Fit

Fri, 16 May 2008 19:35:00 GMT

“A family that plays together stays together.” That’s what one of my patients once told me. While I was a therapist at a rehab hospital, I had a patient who was very eager to find new ways of exercising and playing sports. He was newly injured with a C-6/7 spinal cord injury, and his family was there every day participating in his therapy. They were truly his motivation for returning to a normal life. He and his family were very active before his accident, and he wanted to continue to live that active...(read more)

Staying Fit After 50: What To Do and Where To Go

Fri, 16 May 2008 19:13:00 GMT

On my refrigerator is a quote that says, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.” I don’t know who said it, but it’s perfect to me, because it throws daggers into the heart of an old way of thinking and living. Perhaps due to a spinal cord injury and substantial loss of physical ability at the age of 22, I have a philosophy that is basically “the older I get, the harder I’m going to work to keep what I have.” There’s a lot of research out there that documents...(read more)

Staying Fit After 50: What To Do and Where To Go

Fri, 16 May 2008 18:55:00 GMT

Neurostimulation Devices Help Those Suffering From Chronic Pain

Fri, 16 May 2008 18:20:00 GMT

Adirondack Park Boasts Barrier-Free Backcountry Access

Fri, 16 May 2008 18:00:00 GMT

Located in upstate New York, John Dillion Park offers people with mobility disabilities the opportunity to experience the natural beauty of the pristine Adirondack backcountry. Developed as a joint venture between Paul Smith’s College and International Paper, this 200-acre accessible camping and recreation area features hiking trails, Adirondack lean-tos, kayak and canoe docks, picnic areas, and even a pontoon boat. And every last bit of it is wheelchair-accessible. Hit the Trail This backcountry...(read more)

Window Types and Treatments for the Accessible Home

Fri, 16 May 2008 17:48:00 GMT

Window Types Both the design of the window and the location of the controls can improve access for all. Casement, sliding, hopper, or awning windows with controls on the bottom are easier to reach by adults of shorter stature, children, and people in wheelchairs. Make sure latches can be operated with a closed fist and corners of sills are rounded to prevent injury. Double-hung windows can drop unexpectedly, and are difficult for everyone to open. Their latches are often too high to be reached by...(read more)

Washers, Dryers, and Utility Spaces for the Accessible Home

Fri, 16 May 2008 17:40:00 GMT

If ambient noise is not a problem, save needless trips to the hamper by placing the washer and dryer in the bathroom. The bathroom lavatory can be used for touch-ups and the counter for clothes sorting. Install an ironing board that swivels out from under the counter, drops down from the wall, or pulls out of a drawer. Portable ironing boards are awkward for most people to set up, and they are bulky to store. Most children, wheelchair users, and adults of shorter stature cannot reach the bottom of...(read more)

Toilets, Lavatories, and Faucets for the Accessible Home

Fri, 16 May 2008 17:32:00 GMT

Toilets The design of the toilet, the height of the installation, and the approach must all be considered for use with mobility aids. The toilet can be approached in several different ways. In a residence or health care facility, the user may first transfer into a shower wheelchair, which can roll over the toilet. Alternately, the individual may choose to transfer directly from their wheelchair to the front or side of the toilet. Elongated toilets are easier to use when transferring or aligning with...(read more)

Telephones for the Accessible Home

Fri, 16 May 2008 17:20:00 GMT

The simple telephone has now become a machine that understands specific voices, takes notes, communicates with others, and travels everywhere. When used as a component of a "smart" house, the phone can open doors, adjust heating and cooling, start the oven, and dim the lights. If water in a kettle is boiling on the stove, the level of the flame on the range can be lowered by a phone call from bed. One phone call can warm up the hot tub and start a romantic fire using a gas log in the fireplace...(read more)

Tables in the Accessible Home

Fri, 16 May 2008 17:11:00 GMT

Basic features to consider in table selection include construction, surface reflection, clearance for chair use, and height to support the task. These features become critical for people who may need to lean on the table for support, are susceptible to surface glare, or require specific heights and clearances to meet their needs. A sturdy table may be necessary for support. When evaluating table construction, look for blocking in the leg joints. The joints should also be glued and screwed. Consistency...(read more)

Smoke Detectors and Alarms for the Accessible Home

Fri, 16 May 2008 17:03:00 GMT

In a residence, smoke detectors should be installed adjacent to each bedroom and at the top of the stairway. Another smoke detector should be installed in the living room if it is more than 15 ft away from a bedroom unit. A third should be installed in the basement, perhaps near the furnace room. Be sure to consider location in relation to air supply and air return registers. A gas leak detector may also be required. Select a model with photoelectric and ion chamber detection to warn of both smoke...(read more)

Small Appliances for the Accessible Home

Fri, 16 May 2008 16:48:00 GMT

Cordless units save time and energy. They can be operated from a distance by touch control, by phone, or with voice signals. Other controls for installed appliances should be set at counter level, accommodating children, people in wheelchairs, and adults of shorter stature. With smart appliances, like built-in vacuum systems, controls are eliminated. A vacuum system of this type is especially convenient because operation is easy and one-handed. To start, the hose is simply inserted into the inlet...(read more)

Showers for the Accessible Home

Fri, 16 May 2008 16:35:00 GMT

Shower enclosures A shower is quicker, easier, and safer to use than a bathtub. After one transfer to a shower wheelchair, the user can roll into the shower, under the lavatory, or over a toilet without additional transfer. The wheel-in shower can be installed in the enclosure space of a bathtub (30 in x 60 in). This elongated shower design provides more maneuvering space than a standard square shower. It should be equipped with a hand held shower system and with temperature and surge controls to...(read more)

Security Systems in the Accessible Home

Fri, 16 May 2008 16:29:00 GMT

People who have been disabled by design will have a slower reaction time in responding to emergencies. Security systems become even more critical. At least four types of systems are available: ultrasonic motion detectors, pressure mats, passive infrared photoelectric sensors, and switch sensors. Each type can be powered by batteries or direct wiring. Ultra-high-frequency sound motion detectors in a security system can interfere with hearing aids. Use pressure mats, passive infrared photoelectric...(read more)

Office Equipment for the Accessible Home

Fri, 16 May 2008 16:20:00 GMT

Office equipment should be specified to improve accessibility for all employees. Printers, copiers, scanners, and fax machines, for example, should be usable at 30 in a.f.f. Touch controls should be located toward the front of the machines, and a clear floor space should also be provided to access the controls, load paper, and retrieve documents. Office equipment with wireless remote control is a convenience for all people. Most stands for slide projectors are too high for adults of shorter stature...(read more)

Lighting in the Accessible Home

Fri, 16 May 2008 16:08:00 GMT

Keep wall fixtures within reach and consider ceiling fixtures that pull down for task lighting (and easy bulb replacement). Many people in wheelchairs, adults of shorter stature, and children can reach these fixtures using a grabber. Those that cannot be lowered should be installed with long life bulbs. Extra lighting is helpful when taking a shower from a shower chair or seat. Recess a vapor-proof light fixture in the ceiling of any shower stall. The light can be combined with an exhaust fan. Keep...(read more)

Kitchen Layout for the Accessible Home

Fri, 16 May 2008 16:03:00 GMT

Flexibility is the key to successful universal kitchen design. At least one counter in the kitchen should be adjustable so that it can be occasionally changed to meet the needs of visitors and future residents. Removable cabinets will also make the home easier to sell by appealing to a larger market, including people who use mobility aids and people who need to sit down to cook or wash the dishes. For everyday use by children or adults of shorter stature, tall adults, wheelchair users and those with...(read more)

Kitchen Fixtures and Appliances

Fri, 16 May 2008 15:48:00 GMT

To save time and energy, choose labor-saving devices like self-cleaning ovens, frost-free refrigerators, and microwave ovens. The microwave should be free of leakage that can interfere with hearing aid operation. Specify a model with visual, tactile, and audible controls. To improve reach, place it on a pullout counter. Avoid low contrast displays. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) with amber letters are easier to read than liquid crystal displays (LCDs). Look for a display with a letter height of at...(read more)

Kitchen Counters for the Accessible Home

Fri, 16 May 2008 15:38:00 GMT

Three steps are often repeated in the kitchen during food preparation. First, the food is removed from the cupboard or refrigerator and sometimes washed in the sink. Next, the food is prepared or mixed. Finally, it is cooked. For this reason, the sink should be located between the stove and the refrigerator, with counter space on both sides of the sink (18 in minimum). Some people who are blind use counters to line up all the ingredients and utensils in logical order for the task. For this purpose...(read more)

Kitchen Cabinets for the Accessible Home

Fri, 16 May 2008 05:23:00 GMT

When using removable cabinets under an adjustable height counter, be sure the counter adjusts between 42 in a.f.f. for tall users and 24 in for children in wheelchairs. Each cabinet under this counter can be designed as a freestanding unit that is totally removable, as a unit with a removable front and base, or as a unit with a base that folds up to open the space for access by a wheelchair user. Adjacent cabinets should be finished on the exterior side which will be exposed when another cabinet...(read more)

Kitchen Accessories for the Accessible Home

Fri, 16 May 2008 05:12:00 GMT

Utensils To keep utensils within reach for adults of shorter stature, children, and wheelchair users, consider installing pegs or wall-mounted racks between the counters and cabinets. Slanted pegs are easier to use than hooks, which can catch on pan handles. Utensils can also be stored in hanging baskets. Many items are designed for one-handed use, helping all users. A breadboard and knife set is available to help in slicing. A rotary recipe file, for example, can be mounted on the inside of a cabinet...(read more)

Heating and Air Conditioning in the Accessible Home

Fri, 16 May 2008 05:02:00 GMT

Heating The type of heating system specified is important in meeting the needs of people with a wide range of abilities and sensitivities. Passive solar heating, electric baseboard heaters, and hot water radiators offer even heating without drafts. Passive solar and fluid filled electric radiant heating is often advantageous for people with allergies, since the relatively low surface temperatures of these systems do not carbonize dust (1). For people who cannot easily sense heat, warm radiators should...(read more)

Furniture for the Accessible Home

Fri, 16 May 2008 04:51:00 GMT

Nightstands Specify a nightstand large enough to privately store assistive devices. The top should be large enough to accommodate a telephone or call system, and a gallery rail or edge around the top will prevent items from being accidentally pushed to the floor. A console or wall-mounted countertop to use as a nightstand with clearance for wheelchair footrests, making it easier to approach the bed or answer the phone. If a drawer is used, consider specifying a lock for privacy. Brightly colored...(read more)

Flooring Options in the Accessible Home - Pt. 1

Fri, 16 May 2008 04:41:00 GMT

Floor covering can make a significant contribution to the abilities of all users through prevention of slip and fall, increase in visual acuity, improvement of acoustics, and elevation of insulation value. Even wayfinding and orientation can be improved by floor covering. A variety of colors and patterns can help the individual delineate different spaces. This is especially true for people who take visual cues from lower levels, "downward gazing" for fear of slip and fall. But frequently...(read more)