How Do I Accommodate My Workplace for Wheelchairs?
Employees who use wheelchairs need to move around easily through the office without having to worry about obstacles such as narrow doorways, stairs and inadequate restroom facilities. Making changes to improve access can make a huge difference in how the disabled employee performs and feels when he comes to work.
1
Provide parking near entrances for wheelchair users and other disabled employees and transportation vans if the employees require assistance in getting to the building. Designate at least one space next to each entrance of the building. Designate one of these disabled parking spaces for larger vans. Place the universal disabled persons sign -- a wheelchair logo -- and use blue paint instead of white or yellow to outline each space. The number of designated parking spaces for disabled employees depends on the number of spaces in the lot. An appropriate ratio is two designated spaces for disabled employees for every 50 spaces.
2
Provide access ramps at entrances so those in wheelchairs can easily enter and leave the building. As per the Americans with Disabilities Act Buildings and Facilities Guidelines, the ramp incline should have a slope of 1:16 to 1:20. Attach handrails to steeper ramps to enable those in wheelchairs to pull themselves up. Installing motorized lifts provides an alternative to ramps.
3
Measure existing entranceways and doorways to determine if these meet the recommended 36-inch width suggested in the ADA buildings guidelines. Install specialized door hinges to provide additional space between the door and the doorway or hire a contractor to make doorways wider. Doorways include office doors, storage doors, break-room doors, meeting room doors, closet doors and bathroom entrances. Doors should also swing in and not out to allow those in wheelchairs the ability to open doors and get through doorways.
4
Install at least one disabled bathroom stall in each bathroom in your office to allow those in wheelchairs access. Contact a contractor to create additional stalls or combine two stalls to satisfy this requirement.
5
Provide additional room to store a wheelchair if a disabled employee prefers to use an office chair while working. Create a larger cubicle space or office space large enough for the employee to move from wheelchair to office chair. The space should be large enough to accommodate a wheelchair, desk, office chair and other office items. Some wheelchairs can be folded to create more space.