Sandeep, can you compile all those articles and make available somewhere? Umesha
On 2/20/16, Sandeep Singh <[email protected]> wrote: > Good article Avinash. Let me add a few more points: > Staircases and balconies should have at least two handrails, one at a > lower level to give support to elderly or disabled when needed. > Additionally, steps should not have any nosing (portion protruding > from steps outside for beauty mostly). Instead steps should be made > extending from bottom to the top in continuity. > Doors (especially bathroom doors) should have a square sheet of glass > near bolts. One might break the glass to open the door in case an > elderly or disabled person has a fall and door is locked from inside. > Switches should be provided near water closets in toilets and beds in > the rooms for emergency bells to be used by these persons when in > distress. > Carpets may be provided if possible in the rooms for elderly or those > who are likely to fall down often. This can limit their injuries. Also > useful for Parkinsons patients. > All the articles in the house should have round corners instead of > having sharp corners. This includes furniture, walls, doors and > cupboards etc. This is to avoid sharp or deep cuts in case someone > falls on these articles. > I had written a long series of articles on designing for disabled. > Cannot share it here but will keep giving more tips. > Best regards, > Sandeep > > On 2/19/16, avinash shahi <[email protected]> wrote: >> If there is a disabled or elderly person in the family, it is >> essential to tailor your home to meet their needs too, asserts DBN >> Murthy >> http://www.deccanherald.com/content/529704/a-disabled-friendly-home.html >> As people grow older, a home needs to be disabled-friendly to make >> life of such elderly individuals easy. It must assist them in coping >> with their daily lives in a way that is as near to normal as possible, >> without them having to seek assistance from anyone else. >> >> Most homes are designed for ‘normal’ people who do not need any >> external assistance to manage their daily routine. People can go about >> their lives comfortably in their homes. But there are many others, for >> whom even simple chores can be a challenge. Prevention is the mantra >> while making a home safe for the disabled and elderly. >> >> Ramp instead of stairs >> >> Steps at the entrance to a home as well as inside are a major hurdle >> for disabled people who find it difficult to manage steep steps on >> their own. It would be desirable to have a low-gradient ramp besides >> the steps so that those who have difficulty can use it. It is not >> practical to have lifts in such homes as it is expensive and needs >> regular maintenance. >> >> Such lifts (or elevators) are possible in multi-storied/ high-rise >> buildings. Sometimes, a gentle rise involving steps with less height >> could do the trick for those who are older, but in good health. It >> depends upon the architect, designer and engineer to make such stairs >> that could be more user-friendly. >> >> Similarly, all door steps may be avoided if the home is to be >> wheelchair-friendly. Locks and bolts should be at convenient heights >> for ease of assess. And these should be simple but effective. >> >> A bathroom or toilet could be a tricky area for the disabled and >> elderly residents. This is where most accidents occur. The flooring >> should be skidproof with railings so that one can hold this while >> entering and exiting the bathroom or toilet. >> >> Western-style commodes are common in most homes and they are easier to >> use for the elderly/disabled persons. A bath-tub may not be suitable >> for all, but a shower cubicle without steps could work well. An >> adjustable shower chair can prove useful for those who find it hard to >> stand for long. >> >> Lower, the better >> >> In the kitchen, the height of the cooking platform should be designed >> in such a manner that it is easy to use even while sitting in a >> wheelchair. The flooring in the kitchen should not be too smooth, lest >> someone slips. Cupboards should be within easy reach for better >> accessibility by all. >> >> The same rule applies to the position of switches and controls that >> must be operated without much physical effort. In some cases, switches >> and controls could be kept at nearly floor level so that these could >> be used by one with the help of his or her foot without any risk. >> >> Use of remote control to operate radio, TV, DVD player, computer, fan, >> lights and the AC makes the life of a challenged person easier. >> Telephones, computers and music systems should be placed on tables at >> a suitable height for all to operate physically if need be. >> >> Some persons with disability may even work from home, given the right >> job and conditions at home. In such cases, a home-office can be >> made-to-order. It needs imagination and discussions with the person(s) >> with disability to make modifications that need to be done to make the >> life of such people nearly normal. >> >> All the suggestions of the disabled, to the extent that is feasible >> and within reasonable cost, should be incorporated in the existing >> home or in a home to be newly built. More attention needs to be given >> to make user-friendly innovations in newer constructions. Let the >> change begin at home. >> >> >> >> >> -- >> Avinash Shahi >> Doctoral student at Centre for Law and Governance JNU >> >> >> Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of >> mobile phones / Tabs on: >> http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in >> >> >> Search for old postings at: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >> >> To unsubscribe send a message to >> [email protected] >> with the subject unsubscribe. >> >> To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, >> please >> visit the list home page at >> http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in >> >> >> Disclaimer: >> 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of >> the >> person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; >> >> 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails >> sent through this mailing list.. >> > > > Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of > mobile phones / Tabs on: > http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in > > > Search for old postings at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > > To unsubscribe send a message to > [email protected] > with the subject unsubscribe. > > To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please > visit the list home page at > http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in > > > Disclaimer: > 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the > person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; > > 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails > sent through this mailing list.. > Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of mobile phones / Tabs on: http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ To unsubscribe send a message to [email protected] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list..
