Alex
If you are not sure what action to take, as it seems you are being asked to
compromise to meet the different requirements of your two students; it might
be worth contacting the College of Occupational Therapists, who could supply
you with a list of private practice Occupational Therapists. Recommending
adaptations for people with disabilities is one of our specialist assessment
skill areas. You could have both students individually assessed and
suitable products would be identified that will safely meet their needs. The
proposed bathroom would also be assessed in terms of space and for the
provision of suitable products.
Karen Tuff
Occupational Therapist
----- Original Message -----
From: "Vin" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2004 5:39 PM
Subject: Re: [ACCESSIBUILT] Baths and showers
> Hi Alex,
> some interesting answers - I would definitely go for a wet-room approach -
> with folding three-quarter doors (750mm) and a curtain if extra privacy is
> needed and if possible I would make sure the room is plenty large enough
to
> allow room to manoeuvre in a wheelchair and to transfer from one
wheelchair
> to another and room for two personal assistants
>
> Personally I have never found a compromise between bath and shower works
> well for either, but especially for the shower user, who has to stand on
the
> slippery curved surface of the bath - I would also say that in principle I
> feel it is wrong to attempt to meet the needs of two individuals with one
> compromise, unless it can be shown that the compromise on either part is
> strictly minimal and the equipment really meets the needs of both
>
> I have found both folding shower seats and walk-in baths extremely
> disappointing - the shower seats tend to be too small for anyone with
> limited mobility and / or balance to safely sit on - especially when
trying
> to wash and covered in foam
>
> the baths just don't work - despite the manufacturers' best efforts to
sell
> them - and people end up freezing and very undignified while waiting both
> before and after washing while the water fills and empties and often the
> water level is pitifully low
>
> if the person who prefers to bathe rather than shower does so in order to
be
> in a sitting position then perhaps a shower wheelchair is the solution - I
> would suggest one with netting rather than solid plastic seat and back -
> there are also shower chairs that can tilt in space and even lay right
back
> to horizontal
>
> if a bath is really what is needed then perhaps a hoist is called for, in
> which case have you seen the Sure Hands hoist system? this can use a
> mechanism just like a large pair of hands to lift the person rather than
the
> horrible sacking material that is usually used in hoists - i can send you
> more details if wanted
>
> Vin
>
> Vin West
> Secretary, Arfon Access Group
> Glyn Dwr
> Llandwrog Uchaf
> Caernarfon
> Gwynedd
> LL54 7RA
>
> 01286880761
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Alex Larg" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2004 10:34 AM
> Subject: [ACCESSIBUILT] Baths and showers
>
>
> > Dear Colleagues,
> >
> > We have two students with CP and it is likely they are going to use
> > the same facilities. One likes to use a bath and the other needs to use
> > a shower because he cannot climb into a bath. Someone has
> > suggested installing a walk-in type bath with a shower above so that
> > both have their preference / need accommodated.
> >
> > Has anyone else provided this type of set up and if so does it work
> > well? Are there any problems and can you recommend a particular
> > type of walk in bath that is good?
> >
> > Many thanks,
> >
> > Alex.
> >
> >
> > Alex Larg
> > University Disability Co-ordinator
> > University of Oxford
> > Tel: 01865 280562
> > Fax: 01865 280300
> > Email : [log in to unmask]
> > (Tues - Thur)
> >
> > ----------End of Message----------
> >
> > Run by SURFACE for more information on research, consultancy and the
> distance taught MSc. in Accessibility and Inclusive Design programme
visit:
> >
> > http://www.inclusive-design.it
> >
> > Archives for the Accessibuilt discussion list are located at
> http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/accessibuilt.html
>
> ----------End of Message----------
>
> Run by SURFACE for more information on research, consultancy and the
distance taught MSc. in Accessibility and Inclusive Design programme visit:
>
> http://www.inclusive-design.it
>
> Archives for the Accessibuilt discussion list are located at
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/accessibuilt.html
----------End of Message----------
Run by SURFACE for more information on research, consultancy and the distance taught MSc. in Accessibility and Inclusive Design programme visit:
http://www.inclusive-design.it
Archives for the Accessibuilt discussion list are located at http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/accessibuilt.html
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