Wheelchair users holiday cottage - design help needed
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Hi,
My partner and I are in the process of buying a property with two barns suitable for conversion into holiday cottages. We would like to make these as wheelchair friendly as possible, but still usable by non-wheelchair using clients as well. What do wheelchair users find essential? What is desirable but not essential?
We have got dimensions etc. for turning spaces, access to bathroom facilities, beds and furniture etc but after that we are sort of stuck! For instance.........
- Is a low sink/hob/work surface in the kitchan essential or desirable?
- How easy is it for wheelchair users to access floor-standing fridges, freezers, dishwashers and ovens?
- Is anything required to make it easier for prople to carry things from the oven/dishwasher etc to the work surface?
- Is a bath or shower generally preferred?
We realise that the answers to a lot of questions will depend on the nature of the individual's disability, but any general advice would be much appreciated! Please don't just stick to the questions above - ANY information you feel is useful would be welcome!
Many thanks
Christine Wilder[list=][/list]
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| Quote: |
| We would like to make these as wheelchair friendly as possible |
Please remember that wheelchair users represent just 4% of all disabilities and while it is important to meet their needs under the DDA, it is also important not to lose sight of the remaining 96% such as the visually impaired, hering impaired, learning disabled etc etc.
Also remember you are required to make 'Reasonable Adjustments' not always those of Part M or BS8300.
| Quote: |
| - Is a low sink/hob/work surface in the kitchan essential or desirable? On the hole but not entirly 'disirable, dont forget many people also have bending issues.
- How easy is it for wheelchair users to access floor-standing fridges, freezers, dishwashers and ovens? These can be purchased at the correct height suitable for all. - Is anything required to make it easier for prople to carry things from the oven/dishwasher etc to the work surface? NO - Is a bath or shower generally preferred? A shower is more managable, i'd also suggest a shower chair and drop down seat be provided plus the required grab rails etc. |
Drop me a line if i can help.
_________________
Ableize
UK Disability & Mobility Directory
Disability Access Audits
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Hi, there are standards and being a wheelchair user who stays in lots of holiday cottages (and a consultant on the topic at work) you would be best to follow those (and the DDA also applies to your web-site) and for people with a range of impairments.
To meet the DDA consider National Access Scheme requirements top level for cottages etc.
http://www.tourismtrade.org.uk/...
and
http://www.tourismforall.org.uk/
cheers, louise
ps I did a recent survey for work and found:
Our recent research into 30 private owners with 'accessible' holiday accommodation web-sites (randomly chosen in the UK) found that:
* Only 1 listed crucial measurements to assist access for wheelchair users.
* None had specific information for people with sensory impairments or learning difficulties.
* Only 1 had a web-site that met DDA requirmenets and web-accessibility standards.
* 2 replied that to have 'assessed, accessible cottages' was adequate.
* 1 expressed they had an impairment and knew of the requirements by law (this was not the property which met DDA legislation) and I had stayed in personally.
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Hello - I am the editor of MyCottageHoliday.co.uk - the holiday cottage review website. Users of our site leave reviews for UK cottages where they have stayed. I think you raise interesting questions about accessibility and I am going to speak to my development team to see if it would be feasible for us to incorporate Accessibility into the review process in some way. Thank you for raising this issue - I hope to be able to report back soon.
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I came across this post a while ago and have since used this company for wheelchair ramps in a holiday cottage I own. I highly recommend them and they were very helpful. see http://www.theramppeople.co.uk
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| benstephens2001 wrote: |
| I came across this post a while ago and have since used this company for wheelchair ramps in a holiday cottage I own. I highly recommend them and they were very helpful. see http://www.theramppeople.co.uk |
I've been looking for a company to use for ramps, and found this site very helpful.
Thanks for the post!
-Tay
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