I would not recommend Travelators or escalators to a blind person without
them first receiving training from a rehabilitation/mobility officer, many
partially sighted people manage escalators safely without training but with
reassurance/information from their travel companion initially and thereafter
independently.
All of the visually impaired people (without guide dogs and without a
physical impairment) that I have taught to use an escalator (at least 40)
have managed to use them safely and without difficulty after training and a
Travelator is less confusing because the steps do not change form as you are
stepping on/off.
Regards
Elaine Pinkney
-----Original Message-----
From: Accessibuilt list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
npt Access
Sent: 07 June 2006 20:03
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Travelators
I am ambulant with two replacement knees and a spinal injury. The last time
I used a Escalator, I fell when trying to get of at the bottom and had three
people fall on top of me.
I tried a Travelator, I went up with out trouble, but fell part of the way
down I think because the floor is inclined and not supportive. The hand rail
shown in Johns photo is set back too far from the edge of travel way to have
proper support for my body, I like to have handrails immediately above the
walkway.
If there is no lift I do not change floor levels.
I would not recommend escalators or travelators to blind people with or
without a guide dog.
Cliff Croft
Neath Port Talbot Access group
-----Original Message-----
From: Accessibuilt list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
John Gregory
Sent: 06 June 2006 14:11
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Travelators
Hi Ruth and Jim,
I used the word travelator merely because I could not think of a better
description. Perhaps Passenger Conveyor might be more appropriate? Anyway,
in reply to Jim, the travelator mentioned does go from one floor to another
as confirmed by Ruth. I have attached photos of the one I saw in the
supermarket. It does have level landings at the top and bottom, but how
useful they would be is debatable given the speed of the travelator. I take
Jim's point about possible fire hazards beneath the travelator, but I was
under the impression that new regulations required any debris to be cleared
from this area, or indeed, have mechanisms in place to prevent the
collection of such debris - I am probably wrong on this.
Regards.
John.
John Gregory
Access Officer
-----Original Message-----
From: Ruth Sims [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 06 June 2006 12:37
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [ACCESSIBUILT] Travelators
I can only go on my personal experience of the one in our local shopping
centre, which does NOT have the sign mentioning wheelchairs and pushchairs
being advised to use the lift, and taking my daughter in her pushchair on
it. Suffice to say, never again - going up is fine, coming down is
incredibly scary! There is no flat area at the top/bottom to give you time
to put the brakes on/off, so you end up hanging on to the pushchair with one
hand, the handrail with the other, trying to lift one foot off the floor to
sort the brakes whilst moving downhill at speed. Not an enjoyable
experience. Also, even when I've been on them alone I find walking downhill
very disconcerting, especially in anything other than flat shoes, as the
whole body is tipped forwards if you lose balance at all.
I think the notion is good, and a sound alternative to lifts, especially for
fire safety as mentioned, but the reality from the one I have tried just
didn't quite meet up to my expectations. The angle of the ramp is obviously
crucial - perhaps it needs to be less steep for moving surfaces than the
guideline requirements for standard 'stationary' ramps? The inclusion of
flat running areas at top and bottom would also make them more safe for use
by wheelchairs and pushchairs (and also therefore more convenient, given
that often the lifts are not located nearby so you are required to do a
detour if you arrive at a travelator unexpectedly!).
Dr Ruth Sims
Design Ergonomics Group
Department of Design and Technology
Loughborough University
Loughborough
Leicestershire
LE11 3TU, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1509 228313
Fax: +44 (0)1509 223999
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Gregory" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2006 12:00 PM
Subject: Travelators
> Dear All,
>
> Recently there seems to be a trend to install what I call (and this
> may be
> incorrect) travelators in place of escalators. These seem to be a
favourite
> with supermarkets, but no doubt they are elsewhere.
>
> I can see that they may, in certain circumstances, be advantageous,
> but do other people have any opinions? The installations I have see
> have signs located at the top and bottom of the travelator saying that
> 'wheelchairs
and
> pushchairs should take the lift'. Obviously this is something to do
> with the applying and releasing of brakes on wheelchairs when the user
> has reached the top or bottom. However, would such a device be useful
> for
fire
> evacuation? Also, it is debatable whether Guide Dogs would be able to
> use such travelators given that the top and bottom of the travelator
disappears
> under a ledge similar to an escalator.
>
> All thoughts and comments welcomed.
>
> Regards.
>
> John.
>
> John Gregory
> Access Officer
>
>
> This e-mail is confidential and may contain legally privileged
information. You should not disclose its contents to any other person. If
you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately.
>
> Whilst the Council has taken every reasonable precaution to minimise
> the
risk of computer software viruses, it cannot accept liability for any damage
which you may sustain as a result of such viruses. You should carry out
your own virus checks before opening the e-mail (and/or any attachments).
>
> Unless expressly stated otherwise, the contents of this e-mail
> represent
only the views of the sender and do not impose any legal obligation upon the
Council or commit the Council to any course of action.
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________________
> __
> This e-mail has been scanned for all viruses by Star. The
> service is powered by MessageLabs. For more information on a proactive
> anti-virus service working around the clock, around the globe, visit:
> http://www.star.net.uk
> ________________________________________________________________________
>
> ----------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
This e-mail is confidential and may contain legally privileged information.
You should not disclose its contents to any other person. If you are not
the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately.
Whilst the Council has taken every reasonable precaution to minimise the
risk of computer software viruses, it cannot accept liability for any damage
which you may sustain as a result of such viruses. You should carry out
your own virus checks before opening the e-mail (and/or any attachments).
Unless expressly stated otherwise, the contents of this e-mail represent
only the views of the sender and do not impose any legal obligation upon the
Council or commit the Council to any course of action.
________________________________________________________________________
This e-mail has been scanned for all viruses by Star. The
service is powered by MessageLabs. For more information on a proactive
anti-virus service working around the clock, around the globe, visit:
http://www.star.net.uk
________________________________________________________________________
----------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
--
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.8.2/356 - Release Date: 05/06/2006
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.8.2/356 - Release Date: 05/06/2006
----------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
|