In New England, the prevalence of older homes, most of which are multi-level, present a real access and mobility challenge for people who are disabled or impaired. The concepts of Universal Design are difficult to apply in older existing structures, but you can always make a start. The first thing to do is to think about your home from the perspective of someone using a walker or a wheelchair. If you're able to do that, then you'll soon see that even a few basic modifications can make a vast difference in safety and accessibility.
If you stop by our showroom, we can introduce you to some of the products that open the door to mobility and access. And if you're interested in knowing more about Universal Design, then read on. There is a brief description, and a copy of the principles of Universal Design below.
Universal design is a relatively new paradigm that emerged from "barrier-free" or "accessible design" and "assistive technology."[1] Barrier free design and assistive technology provide a level of accessibility for people with disabilities but they also often result in separate and stigmatizing solutions, for example, a ramp that leads to a different entry to a building than a main stairway. Universal design strives to be a broad-spectrum solution that helps everyone, not just people with disabilities. Moreover, it recognizes the importance of how things look. For example, while built up handles are a way to make utensils more usable for people with gripping limitations, some companies introduced larger, easy to grip and attractive handles as feature of mass produced utensils. They appeal to a wide range of consumers.
As life expectancy rises and modern medicine has increased the survival rate of those with significant injuries, illnesses and birth defects, there is a growing interest in universal design. There are many industries in which universal design is having strong market penetration but there are many others in which it has not yet been adopted to any great extent.
Universal design is a part of everyday living and is all around us. The "undo" command in most software products is a good example. Color-contrast dish ware with steep sides that assist those with visual problems as well as those with dexterity problems are another. Additional examples include cabinets with pull-out shelves, kitchen counters at several heights to accommodate different tasks and postures and low-floor buses that kneel and are equipped with ramps rather than lifts.
The article below is the original document outlining the principles of Universal Design:
Copyright 1997 NC State University, The Center for Universal Design
The design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.
The authors, a working group of architects, product designers, engineers and environmental design researchers, collaborated to establish the following Principles of Universal Design to guide a wide range of design disciplines including environments, products, and communications. These seven principles may be applied to evaluate existing designs, guide the design process and educate both designers and consumers about the characteristics of more usable products and environments.
The Principles of Universal Design are presented here, in the following format: name of the principle, intended to be a concise and easily remembered statement of the key concept embodied in the principle; definition of the principle, a brief description of the principle's primary directive for design; and guidelines, a list of the key elements that should be present in a design which adheres to the principle. (Note: all guidelines may not be relevant to all designs.)
PRINCIPLE ONE: Equitable Use
The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.
Guidelines:
PRINCIPLE TWO: Flexibility in Use
The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.
Guidelines:
2a. Provide choice in methods of use.
2b. Accommodate right- or left-handed access and use.
2c. Facilitate the user's accuracy and precision.
2d. Provide adaptability to the user's pace.
PRINCIPLE THREE: Simple and Intuitive Use
Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.
Guidelines:
3a. Eliminate unnecessary complexity.
3b. Be consistent with user expectations and intuition.
3c. Accommodate a wide range of literacy and language skills.
3d. Arrange information consistent with its importance.
3e. Provide effective prompting and feedback during and after task completion.
PRINCIPLE FOUR: Perceptible Information
The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities.
Guidelines:
PRINCIPLE FIVE: Tolerance for Error
The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.
Guidelines:
PRINCIPLE SIX: Low Physical Effort
The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue.
Guidelines:
6a. Allow user to maintain a neutral body position.
6b. Use reasonable operating forces.
6c. Minimize repetitive actions.
6d. Minimize sustained physical effort.
PRINCIPLE SEVEN: Size and Space for Approach and Use
Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user's body size, posture, or mobility.
Guidelines:
Please note that the Principles of Universal Design address only universally usable design, while the practice of design involves more than consideration for usability. Designers must also incorporate other considerations such as economic, engineering, cultural, gender, and environmental concerns in their design processes. These Principles offer designers guidance to better integrate features that meet the needs of as many users as possible.
Do your homework. Not all stairlifts are the same, in terms of quality, cost and functionality. With some investigation and by getting answers to some specific questions. you should be able to determine which stair lift best suits your specific requirements.
Some key questions are:
COST:
In today's economic environment cost is always a key question. So...how much should you expect to pay for a stairlift to be installed? Here are some guidelines:
New Straight Stairlift:
Delivered, but not including installation
- Costs between $2000 and $2800.
Delivered and installed
- Costs between $3000 and $5000.Reconditioned Straight Stairlift
Delivered, but not including installation
- Costs between $1500 and $2000.Delivered and installed
- Costs between $2000 and $2800.New Curved Stairlift
Delivered and installed
- Costs between $9500 and $15,000.
COMMON STAIRLIFT FEATURES:
Here is a list of stair lift features - and what they mean to you, the user. Some of these features (highlighted with the word essential!) I consider to be essential safety features. Review the list and check that the stair lifts on your 'shopping list' give you these features and benefits. You can see some of these feature up close at our STAIRLIFT GALLERY.
DC (Battery) operation
Smooth, quiet, works during a power outage, and present no risk from electric shock.
Direct Drive Rack & Pinion
Motor/gearbox directly attached to drive mechanism - no separate gearbox, belts or pulleys - reliability, smooth ride.
Minimises the space taken by the stair lift when not in use. Ideal when there are other users of the staircase.
Prevents uncontrolled descent - no stair lift should be without one. It is a mandatory component in most countries - though strangely not in the US.
No sudden, jarring starts and stops. Make sure it's an electronically controlled system. Mechanical soft starts don't work very well.
Ensures safe mount/dismount of stair lift at top of stairs. Stair lift seat pivots and locks in position, so user can step directly off on to landing.
Allows stair lift to be summoned remotely. Steer clear of Radio Frequency remotes, which are susceptible to outside interference.
Disables the stair lift to prevent tampering or unauthorized use.
Not a gimmick - constantly displays stair lift status, by a system of lights or a digital display. The system allows the user and relevant tech personnel to determine the stair lifts operation and safety status.
This feature allows users who cannot bend their knees to use a stair lift. Also works well on very narrow staircases.
Stops the stair lift if it collides with any obstruction on the stairway.
The lower section of the rail folds upwards and out of the way, in situations where the foot of the rail might otherwise cause an obstruction or tripping hazard.
Home Evaluation:
Once you've decided to move forward, you should have several reputable dealers come to your home and provide a quote. There should never be a charge for this. At that time they can determine the specifics of your situation, and make a recommendation based on your specific need. Virtually every staircase is going to be different so a stair lift has to be 'built' to fit each home. For a straight stair lift the measurements that have to be made and the considerations taken into account are simple and easy.
Most insurance companies, including Medicare, have an annual deductible that must be met before your insurance actually insures you.
What does this mean? What it means that before your insurance will start paying for your nebulizer, or doctor's visit, or hospital stay, you have to pay. There are thousands of insurance plans, some have no deductibles ($.0.00), some have low deductibles ($250.00 or less), and some have very high deductibles (>$1,000.00 or more).
On top of that, many plans have co-pays. They pay for part of the bill, and you pay for the rest. Your co-pay usually ranges from 0% to 10% to 20%, depending on your plan. Medicare, for example pays 80% of the claim charges, meaning that you, or your secondary insurance, is responsible for the other 20%.
This can be frustrating, maddening and discouraging--both for you and for us. The only party that seems to be unscathed is the insurance companies. (To add insult to injury, take a look at a sample Explanation Of Benefits--EOB. This is supposed to help you understand your bill better. If you get it, you receive an A)
What do I mean, it can be frustrating for both you and us? Well for you, it means that if you were dispensed a $600.00 wheelchair, or a $200.00 nebulizer, you are going to be responsible for the deductible and the co-pay before the insurance company will pay one dime.
Let's say, for example, your insurance plan has an annual deductible of $100.00 and a co-pay of 20%. If you receive a nebulizer from us, or any other provider, then we're going to bill the insurance company for that. Let's say it is a $200.00 charge that we bill to the insurance company.
Then the insurance company is going to turn around--usually after a longer than necessary wait--and send us a check for $60.00. If we're lucky. Why only $60.00?
1. Because you had a deductible of $100.00
2. And you had a co-pay of $40.00 (20% of $200.00)
o $200 - $100 - $40 = $60.00
So, your insurance plan may be a good one. But it is no good at all until you've paid your part. That's why you get a bill from us for $140.00. The insurance company didn't pay for it. They paid us only $60.00 of the $200.00 cost. And so you get a bill from us.
You're not happy--understandably. You pay hundreds, if not thousands of dollars a month for healthcare coverage.
We're not happy--we have to send you an invoice and then collect a payment from you. It makes "Customer Service" a challenge sometimes. But that's life in the American health care system.