ADA: Kitchen Design for the Deaf

The architect Robert Nichols (http://www.robertnicholsdesign.com) was kind enough to share this awesome example of accessible design for someone who is deaf. Enjoy.

The kitchen renovation and home remodeling project were completed in Bethesda, Maryland in March 2003. The plans and photographs of the project are placed to demonstrate how the accessible light system and other aspects of the construction simultaneously enhances comfort and safety using the following elements:

 

DIsabilities: New Patient Lift Like Nothing Else

I love the design of the lift and how it can work anywhere and fit anywhere. Traditional lifts are so large they can be difficult to use in a residential setting. I don't like the cranks on either side of the seat though, I think that would be difficult for an elderly caregiver and I think taking it apart may be difficult as well, but I love the idea. I wonder if its available stateside.  Check out this video.


Has anyone seen or used anything like this?

Tax Deductions for Barrier-Free/Universal Design Home Modifications

Tax deductions for home –modifications, capital expenses incurred if home improvements are necessary for medical reasons. The following comes from I.R.S, Pub. 502, medical and dental expenses. 

"You can include in medical expenses amounts you pay for special equipment. Installed in a home, or for improvements, if their main purpose is medical care for you, your spouse, or your dependent. The cost of permanent improvements that increase the value of your property may be partly included as a medical expense. The cost of the improvement is reduced by the increase in the value of your property. The difference is a medical expense. If the value of your property is not increased by the improvement, the entire cost is included as a medical expense."

Special Needs Autism: Multisensory Room

By GARY WARTH gwarth@nctimes.com | Posted: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 9:00 pm

The soothing music, soft lights and pleasant aromas in the room would leave almost anyone with a calm and peaceful feeling, but they are having an especially positive effect on some students in special classes at two Escondido high schools.

"See the student who's rocking?" San Pasqual High classroom assistant Richard Shannon said Monday, as he pointed to a boy lurching back and forth in his chair. "We put him in there for the first time for a half hour, and he just sat and enjoyed it. That's the first time in about three years where he just sat still."
The Escondido Union High School District spent about $30,000 in federal stimulus money last year to create special "sensory rooms" at San Pasqual and Escondido high schools for the Specialized Transitions Adult Resource Training program, which teaches work and life skills to special-needs students ages 18 to 22.

EUHSD Special Education Director Susan Davis said she doesn't know of other public school districts that have created similar rooms for special-needs students, and she has heard of them in private schools.

"It's been shown to help them calm down, deal with their emotions and get 'reset,'" Davis said about the rooms' effects on disabled people.

Click here to read more...

ADA Special Needs Bathroom: Bathroom Sinks for Wheelchair Accessibility

A wheelchair accessible vanity with an accessible sink is the best choice for storage and versatility.  If you have a small bathroom and are designing a layout for someone with a wheelchair a vanity may not allow enough room for the wheelchair to turn without damaging walls or other bathroom fixtures.


If a drop-in or roll-under sink is your choice you need to make sure that:

Special Needs Kids: Access Travel in Ireland-What is Handicap Accessible?

Stimr is going on a walk about to Ireland and the question is 'How accessible is Ireland for someone in with mobility issues or someone caring for someone with mobility issues?'

Media Push Aims To Raise Accessibility Awareness

By Shaun Heasley April 13, 2011 
A national campaign launching this week is designed to help people with and without disabilities better understand accessibility.
The web-based campaign dubbed “what is WRONG with these pictures?” will be promoted on social media websites and through a series of print advertisements directing people to participate in an online game to test their knowledge of accessibility issues.

Read More Here..

Assistive Technology for Access for People with Special Needs/Disabilities: What Makes it Work?

There are 2 kinds of people:

1. Those who want to know why things work.
2. Those who just want things to work. Period.

ADA: What type of flooring is best for wheelchairs and walkers?

Flooring that will be utilized in a home for wheelchairs and walkers needs to be smooth flooring or low pile carpet.  Plush carpet and textured carpet can be difficult for wheelchair or walker propulsion.


Goals for Choosing Flooring

• Low-maintenance, durable.
• Slip-resistant.
• Resilient to allow for minimum injury or breakage from drops or falls.  The flooring should be a fairly smooth or regular surface for ease of use by persons with mobility or balance issues.
• Matte finish, highly polished surfaces create glare and are usually slippery.

ADA Guidelines Revised for the First Time Since 1990

For the first time in 20 years the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 has been revised, big news.

What is ADA? 

The American with Disabilities Act of 1990 was made into law to assist in regulating and providing guidelines to make public buildings accessible to people with disabilities. The ADA regulations are basically guidelines of turn radius' for wheelchairs, wheelchair ramp configurations, where to hang handrails etc.

The specific nature of the 1990 ADA regulations have not changed in the 2010 revisions as stated in  -2010Section 35.151 (a). Section 35.151(a), which provided that those facilities that are constructed or altered by, on behalf of, or for the use of a public entity shall be designed, constructed, or altered to be readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, is unchanged in the final rule, but has been redesignated as Sec. 35.151(a)(1). ADA Guidelines

ADA: How to Choose a Freestanding Patient Lift for a Person with a Disability

How do you know when you need a patient lift? You need a lift when the person you are caring for can no longer perform assisted transfers safely and/or is becoming too big to lift safely.

How do freestanding patient lifts work?

ADA: Patient Lifts: Transferring a Special Needs Child with a Physical Disability Safely

How do you know when you need a patient lift?  You need a lift when the person you are caring for can no longer perform assisted transfers safely and/or is becoming too big to lift safely.

How do freestanding patient lifts work?

Assistive Technology for Special Needs: Intro

Hi, my name is Cara, and I’m an Assistive Technology (AT) Addict.

What is Assisitive Technology and what does it have to do with a blog dedicated to accessible and universal home design? Everything! Assistive Technology is focused on enabling people with traumatic injuries, disabilities, or diseases to be more independent with the “technology” in their lives.

Universal Design-ADA Kitchen Cabinets

Designing a kitchen for wheelchair accessibility requires proper turn radii, appliances, flooring etc. but what about cabinets? What do you choose standard cabinets, universal design cabinets, automated cabinets?

Where do you get universal cabinets?

Click 'Read More' for lowdown on standard vs universal cabinets.