the project which Jude talks about for logging access features of the
housing stock, along with all the other EQUAL (Extending quality Life)
projects can be found by visiting the SURFACE home page on
http://www.scpm.salford.ac.uk/surface/
choose the link to the "about SURFACE" page, and then the link for "EQUAL".
Adrian Higginbotham.
SURFACE (Salford University, Research Focus on Accessible Environments).
tel: (44_-161-2953949,
fax (44)-161-2955011,
textphone (44)-161-2953599.
web: http://www.scpm.salford.ac.uk/surface/
----- Original Message -----
From: <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2000 1:41 PM
Subject: Re: access not accessible
> Hello,
>
> Another difficulty comes when it is time to sale your home. The
> average home buyer wants the average design feathers and not
> counters 30inches off the ground. My husband and I decided that
> when we replaced the kitchen units we would only take the leg off
> the units (Yet it's still isn't low enough for me but perfect for my
> husband.) and save them so that the counters can be raised with
> little problems once a new owner has purchased the house or we
> can replace them before we sale.
>
> It would be great if you could go to the Estates agent and tell them
> to add your home to a list of accessible homes which had
> categories such as "Homes for people of short stature." I know that
> there is a project out there on the EQUAL Initiative looking at this
> idea. If that project is successful I wonder if this should be a service
> that most agencies should offer?
>
> Jude
>
> Send reply to: "Adrian Higginbotham" <[log in to unmask]>
> Date sent: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 12:16:23 +0100
> Organization: University of Salford
> Subject: Re: access not accessible
> From: "Adrian Higginbotham" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>
> interesting question Jude,
> I guess at its most basic it comes down to
> "is there such a thing as Universal Design?"
>
> As a totally blind person a "access feature" that I find makes my life
more
> difficult is dropped curbs.
> A step is a good way to know that you are passing from one area or
> environment to another, be it pavement to road or in passing from one part
> of a building to another, it gives the long cane user a distinct physical
> referenc epoint and to a guide dog represents a change and therefore a
> reason to stop.
>
> Of course in this case the advantage of the dropped curb to a person with
> mobility problems be they on foot or wheels far outweighs the disadvantage
> to a visually impaired person and is therefore a positive desirable
feature
> of the built environment.
>
> in the example you use of your kitchen work-tops the advantage to you is
> obviously considerable and is a disadvantage to almost no one is it is
> within your home. Taken away from the home the low worktops become a
> disadvantage to more people than they advantage but that doesn't of course
> mean they should be done away with altogether. This is easy some high
> worktops some lower ones.
> fI'm sure though that the solution isn't always that easy and would be
> interested to hear from others of cases where the line between advantage
and
> disadvantage is harder to bridge.
>
> Adrian Higginbotham.
>
> SURFACE (Salford University, Research Focus on Accessible Environments).
>
> tel: (44_-161-2953949,
> fax (44)-161-2955011,
> textphone (44)-161-2953599.
>
> web: http://www.scpm.salford.ac.uk/surface/
>
>
>
> Judith M. Irving BSc Arch.Envir.
> Research / PhD Student
> S U R F A C E
> Salford University Research Focus on AcCessible Environments
> Bridgewater Building
> Salford University
> Salford, M7 9NU
> England
> Tel:0161-295-3194
> http://www.scpm.salford.ac.uk/surface
>
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