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:
>
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>
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----------End of Message----------

Run by SURFACE for more information on research, consultancy and the distance taught MSc. in Accessibility and Inclusive Design programme visit:

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