Examples These are just a small sample of the type of work that we do. Please contact us with any assistive technology related work, and we will be happy to assist you.
:: Home Access Without Structural Changes | Structural Home Modification | Seating and Mobility | Computer Access
Home Access Without Structural Changes
We find that home access is something that is most imperative to people with disabilities. When you loose access to your home it affects many areas of your life physically and emotionally.
We strive to find solutions that can provide home access quickly and with the least structural modifications. We have often consulted with families that thought their only option was major renovations or moving, but we were able to come up with a plan where this was not the case.
This product works in most bathrooms and can also be customized if needed. The product can give bathroom access without any structural modifications to the home.
This device requires no tools to install. The pole can be installed in any location to provide a client with a safe and stable support for transfers. We often recommend this device to assist with bedside transfers as well.
This is a portable shower unit that we have recommended for those situations where there is no bathroom on the main floor of the home, and the client/family is not able to make structural modifications to the home.
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Structural Home Modification
In the cases where structural modifications are needed/chosen, we are able to provide drawings that contractors can use to make estimates for the work. Often a family will hire a contractor who has never done work for someone with a disability. This is a disaster waiting to happen. Contractors are not knowledgeable about the special needs of people with disabilities, and do not know how to design accessible spaces without expert input. Most contractors and/or architects will use the American's with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design.
These are good guidelines to use, but it is important to note that these guidelines were establishes as the MINIMUM that a BUSINESS needs to use to be considered accessible. As such, they are not to be used as a standard for assessable homes. They are a good place to start, but as each person's needs are unique, each design must take into consideration the needs and abilities of the individual when designing an accessible home. ImproveAbility has extensive experience designing accessible homes, and can work with your contractor or architect to design the best space for you.
Lift to Get Inside the Home |
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Ramp to Get Inside the Home |
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This ramp needed to be replaced because there was a drop of 13 from the door threshold to the walkway, and then an additional 6 step to the driveway level. The old ramp had a slope of approximately 23 degrees, which prevented the client from navigating the ramp independently. The new ramp was built to comply with the ADA recommended slope of no more than 4.8". Also, the old ramp had no handrails, which was a primary safety concern.
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Close up of Sink with Roll Under Access
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Installed Ceiling Track Lift |
This type of ceiling track requires the track to be tied into the rafters of the roof for support. This lift was installed in a new home. The client decided to install the doors with no headers so that the track could easily go from room to room. :: Back to top
Seating and Mobility
This was a client that we worked with that had multiple sclerosis. She was able to shrug her shoulders and move her head. This made it impossible for her to independently control her wheelchair. Also, she had lost approximately 100lbs since receiving the chair. This dramatic weight change was causing pressure sores on her bottom because her cushion did not fit her correctly.
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The wheelchair that we recommended for this client was outfitted with a mini joystick mounted by her chin. There was a switch mounted on the left side of her head that allows her to switch between modes to operate the tilt, recline, and power elevating leg rests. An environmental control unit (ECU) was later integrated into the controls for the wheelchair. The ECU provided the client with independent use of such things as lights, a telephone, a door opener, and TV/VCR operations.
This spinal cord injury client was referred to us because he received a manual wheelchair that did not fit him correctly. His main complaint was that he was not able to reach the rear wheels to get an efficient push.
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I was able to reconfigure the client's exiting chair to fit him correctly. The existing 24" rear wheels were replaced with 26" wheels, and this brought the seat up slightly. The rear axel was flipped upside down and lowered. These changes brought the client into the right position to get the most efficient push. :: Back to top
Computer Access
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This client has a constellation of orthopedic problems that make it very difficult for her to sit in a standard office chair. She had tried her best to come up with a system that would allow her to work from bed, but she could only work up to two hours a day due to pain and fatigue.
The solution that we came up with was a desk that allowed her to sit in a reclined position to work. The client was then able to work 8+ hours a day. :: Back to top
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