Wheelchairs In The Workplace

With the popularity of sporting events such as Paralympics, the concept of a person in a wheelchair has changed dramatically in the past several decades. In decades past, the need to be in a wheelchair meant that society considered the individual as a "shut-in" and no longer eligible for any kind of a normal life. Today, thanks to federal laws and the existence of handicap organizations, wheelchair access is required in all public access buildings.

Have you ever had the misfortune to need crutches, perhaps for a broken toe or foot? Now imagine instead of being on crutches you needed to be in a wheelchair and trying to go to work. Most workplaces have been modernized to comply with the latest handicap accessible regulations. Many aspects of office and cubicle layout are affected such as flooring, hallway width, doorway width, desk height and cubicle size.

The following are some specific ideas for improving wheelchair access in the workplace: * Doors need to be at least 36 inches wide. Since a normal wheelchair is about 30 inches wide the extra width allows maneuvering room. * Corridors and any aisles between cubicles should should be 48 inches wide so that both a moving person and wheelchair can fit at the same time. * The cubicle needs to large enough for the wheelchair to turn around. If there is another desk in the cubicle, allow 60 inches for the wheelchair turning area. * Accessible workstations or cubicles should be near the entrance and at the end of a row so that the individual in the wheelchair has easy access to their workplace. * A desk needs to be 32 inches high and the desk opening needs to be wide enough to accommodate the wheelchair. * Public telephones need to be accessible as well. Many older public telepohones were designed for a standing individual and are too high for a person in a wheelchair. * The same situation occurs with the height of a drinking fountain. A handicap accessible drinking fountain is lower and allows room for a wheelchair underneath. * Restrooms in the workplace need to follow the wheelchair accessibility laws as well.

The Uniform Federal Accessibility Standard and the Disabled Access Regulations set many workplace rules that enable individuals in a wheelchair to earn a decent living. Buildings and workplaces are requied to conform to these laws. In fact, strong anti-discrimination laws prohibit employers and other employees from barring handicapped individuals from the workplace. See the online resource for the exact dimensions and codes regarding the provisions for wheelchair accessibility in public access buildings and workplaces in general.

In addition to physical arrangement to accommodate wheelchair access in the workplace, employers and co-workers can remember the following tips: * Suggest that co-workers sit eye-to-eye when meeting with a person in a wheelchair. * Remember not to lean on or hold onto the wheelchair. * Know that it's okay to talk about active sports.

When all of the regulations are met properly, the workplace is ready for all qualified workers to contribute to the company to the best of their ability.