Finding Freedom In Your Wheelchair
Finding Freedom In Your Wheelchair
When you think about wheelchair accessibility, what first comes to mind? A parking space, wheelchair ramps, or maybe even an elevator may brush your thoughts. Although these are great examples that help give the disabled a way at living a normal life, these practices merely scratch the surface when it comes to wheelchair accessibility.
Typically, the disabled do more than just transport themselves through the use of ramps, cars, and elevators. In this article I will be explaining more accessible techniques used by those bound to a wheelchair.
Open Says Me
Have you ever tried to open a door with your hands full? It’s almost impossible! Now imagine you can’t move your bottom half. Interactions that may seem easy to everyone else can be extremely difficult and frustrating without the proper accessibility. According to The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the law requires that a wide variety of private business’ need to provide access to their programs, goods and services. Places of public accommodation and buildings constructed by state or local governments must be fully accessible to people with disabilities if built after January 26, 1992.Which doors should be accessible?
At least one door should be accessible at these locations:- Each accessible entrance (at least 60% of public entrances in newly built facilities must be accessible to individuals who use wheelchairs or have mobility impairments).
- Each tenant space in a mall or other building with multiple business
- Accessible rooms and spaces within buildings.
- Entrances to buildings from all parking structures, tunnels or elevators
- At least one restricted or secured entrance (if applicable).
- Along each building’s required route of escape
- Public entrances serving different fixed routes within transit
Exercising your Right, the Right Way
You may not think it, but the disabled are just as into exercising as everyone else! We published a blog article about Audrey, a woman who reached out to us, in order to help fund more accessible equipment for their local YMCA. With just as much energy as the rest of us, those bound to a wheelchair must find more creative ways to break a sweat.- Gripping gloves are great for those with impaired hand movement or strength. The glove allows you to hold an object to perform a lift or pull when using dumbbells or a weight machine. The Active Hands gripping aids are designed so that the user can put them on independently.
- Speedbags and Heavybags are so accessible, you can even use them sitting down! These punching bags can be the perfect stamina workout for those looking to build some muscle. With the right angle and height, implementing this equipment into your workout routine can elicit a positive change to your physique and overall attitude.
- The VitaGlide is a great way to work on strength and cardiovascular endurance. Use your gripping gloves to secure your hands on the handles and begin working on pushing and pulling movements on a cycle of high and low intensity. You can even track your progress with the machine’s interactive digital display! Distance (miles or kilometers), time (stopwatch or timer mode), and resistance will help you develop a workout routine that works for you. Overall, The VitaGlide is the go to for wheelchair exercise equipment.