My ideas for a kitchen will be put to work when I buy my own home. I
am a para at the T-7 level and have a good reach. I would rid upper
cabinets all together and have cabinets that go from the floor up. I would
have a couple of sets. The door would open and inside would be
shelved. Each shelf will pull out and I would have a drawer
incorporated in them somehow. I would have a counter top in between the
cabinets could be a little higher and I could pull my chair underneath
it. The largest cabinet would be in the corner extending on each
side. A spice rack would be on on the inside of one of the doors so easily
accessible when the door is opened. Of course I would have a nice size
kitchen to work with and possibly have an island that I could also pull my chair
under. but now I am talking about big bucks to have the kitchen of my
dreams.
Stacy
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, January 03, 2005 2:41
PM
Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Home
Accessibility
Hello Jessica,
Your father is to be commended for his
efforts. I am happy to answer
your questions:
On Jan 2, 2005, at
2:44 PM, Jessica Ann Gordon wrote:
> 1 -- what are the physical
obstacles you deal with every day in your
> home or
> in public
and how do they affect you?
I must mention that I' m a t-4 para, so
my answers will be a little
different than some of the others.
First of
all, ramp guidelines are too steep for everyday use. I have a
ramp
in the middle of my home and it gets very tiring using it 20 times
a
day. Also, the ramp into the home, trying to come in with groceries
etc is a pain.
Hallways are too narrow, and doorways too narrow,
also doors, when open
into the hallway are in the way alot. Pocket
doors are useful. My
biggest complaint I believe is the difficulty
with storage. Kitchen
cabinets are too high and lower cabinets are
very difficult to access.
Pull out shelves and baskets help, but are
expensive and limit the
space you have available to use. Space
problems are prevalent all over
the house. Closets, garage storage,
etc... To design a universally
useable storage system would be
awesome. The ability to open windows,
and curtains would be a plus,
windows must be clear of obstacles so
that I can get up to them to
open. This is practically impossible.
Public obstacles are
similar, carpet with a heavy nap comes to mind.
Clothes racks which
are too close together, counters too high. I know
I'm missing
stuff.
> 2 -- how would your life be different if you had a home custom
built
> to work
> with you and your disability? what would you
ask for in that home if
> money
> were not an issue?
Life
would be SOOOO much EASIER, less frustration and less wasted
energy
(physical & mental), perhaps freeing up that energy for an
increased
ability to work.
I would ask for the things in #1 and: an elevator,
electronic
everything (windows, curtains, doors, shelves, heated ramp
outside,
garage big enough for my van, completely accessible gardens
outside,
front loading washer/dryer, built in oven& microwave,
refrigerator with
access to freezer. Roll in shower with built in bench,
sauna. Totally
state of the art accessible kitchen for ME & my
use.
>
> 3 -- how much time do you spend in your home in an
average day?
24
>
> 4 -- what modifications did you make to
your living situation
> following your
>
disability/accident?
>
widened doorways, ramps, pulled up carpet,
lowered some kitchen
counters, made two rooms into one, enlarged bathroom,
installed
grabbars.
> 5 -- is there anything you would like
architects, engineers and
> designers to
> know from your
personal point of view? keep in mind, these are the
> people
>
who can make or break accessibility for us.
Spend some time in a
wheelchair, without the pity factor. Make it a
learning experience
for your designs. Follow up on your plans with
contractors and the
actual installation of the design. Many people on
the construction
site will see a plan for access and not knowing what
the heck it is, will
change it back to the way they usually do it. IE:
light switches
lowered, tp rack lowered, outlets raised etc...
WE HAVE VERY LITTLE $ to
finance things.
I'll write more as I think of
it.
R
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