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Rebecca Stevens

November 1, 2012

PTA 101
Introduction to Physical Therapy

Architectural Barriers
SCENARIO:
Following an extensive 3 month rehabilitation you are discharged from ABC Rehab. The
ambulance takes you home and you get out on the street in front of your home. Start conducting
your assessment with the sidewalk, stairs and entry to your home. You have been granted a
$25,000 grant from XYZ Rehab to remodel your home.
I.

List required remodeling plans, prioritizing the top 5 changes

II.

Develop an itemized budget to support your remodeling plans

III.

Complete either assessment form

IV.

Complete reaction paper for home and school architectural barriers

I have assumed the role of a patient with an L2 spinal cord injury resulting in paraplegia with
complete upper body function and a high level of independence.

I.

LIST REQUIRED REMODELING PLANS, PRIORITIZING THE TOP 5 CHANGES

1. Accessible entrance to the home


2. An accessible bathroom
3. Accessible bedroom
4. Access to lighting, security, and outlets

5. Accessible sinks, counters, and appliances

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Rebecca Stevens
November 1, 2012

PTA 101
Introduction to Physical Therapy

Architectural Barriers
II.

DEVELOP AN ITEMIZED BUDGET TO SUPPORT YOUR REMODELING PLANS

Budget for Home Remodel


Expenses
Total
Expenses
Item
Entrance
Vertical Lift
Railing and Gate
Threshold Ramp
Lighting
Pave driveway
Labor
Totals

Total Allotment

Estimated

Remaining

$25,000.00

$24,998.00

$2.00

Details
Reconditioned Hercules II 600 Residential Vertical Lift 77" with AC
power, battery backup, & emergency lighting
Removal portion of porch railing
3' from the porch, threshold cover, and 2' to clear the threshold
into the home
Add additional switch to turn on back porch lights
From side of house to rear back porch

Estimated
$5,083.00
$100.00
$260.00
$50.00
$1,000.00

$7,000.00
$13,493.00

Additional Bathroom
Adding a
Creation of a full bathroom replacing half of dining room. Includes
bathroom
new studs, drywall, open vanity sink, no threshold shower,

$6,000.00

standard toilet with handicap seating lift, tile floors, mold resistant
paint, fixtures, and new plumbing

Labor
Totals

$5,000.00
$11,000.00

Accessible Bedroom
Move Items
Move Queen sized mattress or full futon and mattress, dresser, end

Remove Items
Room Divider
Totals

table, clothing, computer, printer and desk to living room (new


bedroom)
Remove 2 sofas, 1 coffee table, and extra folding wooden table
(possibly sell or repurpose)
To separate the sleeping space from the living space

Access to lighting, security, and outlets (labor included)


Move thermostat Lower thermostat and adjust wiring
Move security
Lower security panel and adjust wiring
panel
Patch material
Putty, mesh cloth, knife
Labor
To patch holes
Totals
Accessible sinks, counters, and appliances
Move Items
Move microwave, toaster, dishes, glasses, mugs, and stored food to
Reacher grabber

lower cabinets
To help reach the hot and cold taps on the sink, turn on and off
light switches in kitchen and around the home, and reach items in
the rear of the refrigerator

Totals

$0.00

$0.00
$140.00
$140.00

$150.00
$100.00
$20.00
$75.00
$345.00

$0.00
$20.00

$20.00
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Rebecca Stevens
November 1, 2012

PTA 101
Introduction to Physical Therapy

Architectural Barriers
III.

COMPLETE EITHER ASSESSMENT FORM

HOME ASSESSMENT
PRE-RENOVATION
Patient Name: Rebecca J Stevens
Diagnosis: L2 SCI - paraplegic
Precautions: standard

Date: 10/31/12
Level of Independence: high

I. HOME SAFTEY
1,212 sq.ft. Old Style 2 story home w/ full
basement
47", level concrete surface, on hillside - steep
B. Walkways
incline
Front Door, Basement Door, Balcony Porch (no
C. Entrance/Exits
ground access)
Front Door - handleset, Balcony Porch - Lever, All
D. Door handles/locks
Others - knob
E. Phone accessibility
Land line, no phone handset. Use cell phone
F. Clutter/organization
Book shelves, closets, chests, pantry, hall tree
RECOMMENDATIONS: Add wheelchair access for at least 1 entrance door, add landline
phone unit for emergencies
A. Style of Home

II. FAMILY ENVIROMENT


A. Evidence of Neglect
Yes
COMMENTS: Lives alone, has 2 cats, immediate family out of state

No

III. ENVIROMENTAL BARRIERS


W/C
Walker
Quad cane
2nd floor - 29"-31". Entrances - 29", 35", 34"/88"
(no doorways on 1st floor)

A. Door Openings

W/C
Walker
Quad cane
45" - upstairs
C. Lighting
Overhead (switches at 50"), various lamps
D. Emergency Lighting
Motion lighting at basement door
E. Night Lights
1 in dining room
RECOMMENDATIONS: Use French doors or front door for main entrance, lower light
switches, add emergency lighting and night lights
B. Hallways

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Rebecca Stevens
November 1, 2012

PTA 101
Introduction to Physical Therapy

Architectural Barriers
IV. BATHROOM
A. Bathtub
B. Commode

Standard tub with shower, 31x58x19


16" high, standard
Solid unit with storage, 35"x21, lever faucet
C. Sink
handles
D. Floor Surface
Tile
RECOMMENDATIONS: Bathroom is too small for a W/C, either expand to accommodate
or build a new one. No threshold shower stall with seating, accessible sink, 20"
commode
V. KITCHEN
9 upper cabinets, 4 lower cabinets, 3 drawers, 1
oven drawer & pantry
3'x2'x3', lever faucet handles, cabinet below
3' high, laminate countertops
Side-by-side, ice and water dispenser, shelves
adjustable

A. Storage
B. Sink
C. Counters/Workspace
D. Refrigerator
E. Cook Top

Gas, 5 burners, removable cast iron covers, 3' high

F. Oven
Front of unit, opens out & down
G. Controls
Oven - buttons at rear, Stove top - knobs at front
H. Floor Surfaces
Faux hardwood, floating
RECOMMENDATIONS: Lower counters. Consider a stove/oven unit with all front
controls, lower shelving, use lower cabinets
VI. BEDROOM
A. Type of Bed
Master - Queen on 4 post frame
B. Room Layout
14'x12', vaulted ceiling, open space
C. Storage
2 closets, dresser, bookshelf, night stand
D. Floor Surface
Carpet
RECOMMENDATIONS: Upstairs is inaccessible due to 2 turns in the stairwell. Move
bedroom to living room if possible
VII. LIVING AREA/DINING ROOM
2 couches, 3 bar stools, folding chairs (stored in
basement)
2 folding wooden tables, 1 coffee table, 1 storage
B. Tables
chest
C. Tableware
Stored in hutch, sidebar and kitchen cabinets
Dining - faux hardwood, floating; Living - carpet
D. Floor Surface
(tile in foyer)
RECOMMENDATIONS: *see bedroom note - change flooring (faux hardwood, hardwood,
low carpet such as indoor/outdoor), remove unnecessary items which may clutter the
throughway, such as the extra sofa, coffee table, hutch and sidebar
A. Seating

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Rebecca Stevens
November 1, 2012

PTA 101
Introduction to Physical Therapy

Architectural Barriers
VIII. SAFTEY
911, Police, Fire Department set into security
system
B. Fire/Smoke Alarms
Every room, wired into alarm system
C. Emergency Exits
Main entrance and basement doors
D. Electrical Safety
No exposed wires, mostly low outlets
E. Water Temperature
Between 60-100 degrees
F. Emergency Plan
Use security pad, exit through safest door
RECOMMENDATIONS: Prepare an emergency plan, add telephone unit, lower alarm
system panel
A. Emergency Phone Numbers

IV. REACTION PAPER FOR HOME AND SCHOOL ARCHITECTURAL BARRIERS


Home Assessment Reaction Paper
419 Division Ave. Bellevue, PA 15202

I arrived at my home in a wheelchair, which my house is unprepared for. The sidewalk


was wide enough (45) to navigate, but the hill I live on is approximately a 20 incline, which
makes moving up or down difficult. Although I have a driveway, it is slanted and changes width
from 12 to 9 wide due to a curved retaining wall holding the front yard in place; therefore, it is
not ideal for parking. The street parking is not marked off into stalls, but I could acquire a
handicap parking space through the Bellevue Borough office. The front porch is 92 high and
accessible via 2 sets of stairs and I could not enter there without assistance. At the rear of the
house is a balcony porch, but it has no access to the yard. There is also a basement door which is
below the level of the yard. The driveway is partially paved, so from the side of the house to the
back porch balcony, I have to take care to not get stuck in any wet ground. I was able to use the
concrete tire paths to move to the rear of the house. Adding a vertical lift at the 77 back balcony
porch, the driveway will have to be paved to allow access to the rear entrance. I feel the balcony
entrance is the best option because the doors on the balcony are large and the wheelchair lift will
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Rebecca Stevens
November 1, 2012

PTA 101
Introduction to Physical Therapy

Architectural Barriers
be hidden from people driving down the street. However, for the moment, I am stuck in my
wheelchair on my sidewalk not able to enter my home.
Luckily, my neighbor came by and helped me into the house. Although the front door is
wide enough at 34, I encountered several other problems. I realized that I have no access to the
upstairs unless I was carried up. Stair glide units cannot make the 2 turns required to reach my
upstairs hallway. The living room is a thick plush carpet, which is difficult to wheel across, but
it is possible. There is also a love seat which is in the way. It can be moved easily because it has
sliders on the feet, but it is rather difficult to move against the wall while in a wheelchair. The
coffee table, end tables, storage chest, and table are impossible to move without help. There is
no bathroom on the 1st floor. After access to the house, a bathroom will need to be a priority.
The dining room and kitchen have a faux hardwood floor, which is easier to move across. While
I can reach several things in the refrigerator, I will need to have the shelves lowered so I can
reach more items. Many of the items in the kitchen can be lowered easily. The counters are 3
high, and while I can set items on them, I cannot use them to cut food or reach the switches and
plugs on the wall behind them. I also cannot reach the oven controls.
Knowing that my 2nd floor is inaccessible, I will need to move my bedroom to the living
room. First, I will have to get rid of at least 1 couch, the coffee table, and possibly one of the end
tables. I will ask friends to move my bed, either the futon or Queen mattress and box springs, to
the living room. I can purchase a divider to block the view of my bed from the front porch. I
will also ask that my dresser and nightstand be moved to my new bedroom so I can store my
clothes.
I know the basement is difficult to access, although there is a commode and plumbing for
a full bathroom down there. The stairs are 28 wide, too narrow for a stair glide, and the floor is
uneven and has a propensity for flooding. Unfortunately, the laundry facilities are in the
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Rebecca Stevens
November 1, 2012

PTA 101
Introduction to Physical Therapy

Architectural Barriers
basement. Until I can have them moved upstairs into the kitchen or dining room, I will have to
rely on friends to help me with laundry.
It is extremely frustrating knowing that I need to do so much work to the house. Even
with the remodeling to the entrance, bathroom, and living room, I will need a lot of work. I
know that my neighbors will be willing to help me with yard maintenance and snow removal, but
I dont want to rely on friends for everything. Plus, if I move onto the first floor only, I have a
basement and 2nd floor which will be empty spaces. Even if I can find a renter that doesnt feel
like they are my live-in nurse, I will have to deal with the fact that we will share a kitchen and
the path to the kitchen is through the living room my new bedroom. The mail comes in on the
front porch, so I will need a mail slot, and since my door is plastic and glass, it will be difficult to
add a slot. I have 2 cats, and even if I move their litter boxes to the first floor, caring for them
will become more difficult without. I also would fear running them over with my wheelchair as
they are rather slow and fat.
To truly make my home accessible, I would need to make some extreme alterations. The
emotional toll of construction, 2/3rds of the house being unused, and the requirement of help with
many activities of daily living I am not sure that staying in this home would be the more
appropriate choice. The home is owned by both me and my father. I asked his opinion about my
situation, and he felt that, while I could get a fair amount of work done with the $25,000 grant, it
would ultimately be more financially responsible to sell the home as is and move into a more
handicap accessible home or one which could more easily be remodeled. With the help of my
family and friends, either option could eventually be worked out. Unfortunately, not every
person with a new disability has this option, though I wish they did.

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Rebecca Stevens
November 1, 2012

PTA 101
Introduction to Physical Therapy

Architectural Barriers
College Assessment Reaction Paper
CCAC Boyce Campus South Wing and Parking Lot

I began my assessment of CCACs South Wing in the parking lot, where 24 parking
spaces were counted. One third of the spaces were 8 wide, with no van access. These spaces
were next to the main road, which could cause problems with passengers exiting the vehicles into
oncoming traffic. The other 18 handicap spots shared van accessible space, half had space on the
right and half on the left. It was clear that if a specific type of spot was not available, you would
have to either back into a spot or try to creatively exit your vehicle. In some cases, the other cars
were parked poorly or used by people without handicap tags. The sidewalks were very wide and
provided enough space to maneuver without running into other students. Occasionally, the
sidewalks were not level; but, as long as you were aware of this fact, you could navigate around
those spots. This may be more difficult in the winter with snow on the ground.
The handicap door to the left of the main entrance was wide enough and had wellfunctioning handicap buttons. There was a tricky threshold on the outer door, due to a ramp that
was directly against it. However, this was not a tremendous difficulty, more of a nuisance.
There was very little signage to let people know that this door existed and was handicap
accessible. The main doors, however, were not handicap accessible. Students did not seem to
care that someone in a wheelchair was trying to use the doors, they often walked right past me
without a second glance.
The main hallway and cafeteria was open and easy to navigate. The carpeting was easy
to maneuver on. Occasionally there was a lip, either a metal plate or bevel edged rug, which
slowed movement down. The bookstore was difficult to enter. The main entrance of the
bookstore has a turnstile, which makes entering impossible. If I had not known that you could
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Rebecca Stevens
November 1, 2012

PTA 101
Introduction to Physical Therapy

Architectural Barriers
enter through the exit and where it was located, I may have missed going in. The staff was
helpful, but there was no way to turn around in the aisles. The information area was also wide
and open, and the computer desks were wheelchair accessible. However, the hard drives are kept
on the ground where a wheelchair would pull in. In addition to hitting the hard drive with my
feet, I would require assistance to insert a flash drive or push any of the buttons. The main
elevator was a good size and easy to get onto if others were not already in the elevator.
The worst part of the South Wing was the restrooms. The womens room had a very
difficult path to follow into the bathroom itself, and the doors close very quickly. The door shut
on me as I was trying to navigate the turn into the room. Once in the restroom, the handicap stalls
were halfway down the row and at the very end. The last stall was not labeled as handicap.
Inside the stall, there was enough room and proper handrails. But, the doors opened out and
towards you, making it impossible to get past the door, open it, and make it into the stall without
assistance. There were partitions under the counters, which made pulling up to the sink to reach
the soap quite difficult. Luckily, every woman who came into the bathroom understood the
difficulties of the room and offered assistance.
All of the AED devices, fire extinguishers, and telephones were at a good height,
although slightly high for someone who is on the shorter side. Most people were polite, except at
the front door, where they were blatantly rude. Many people asked if I needed assistance or even
just smiled and said hello. I feel that most people at CCAC would be willing to help you out if
you asked.
Overall, there is room for improvement in CCACs South Wing. The South Wing is the
oldest section of the building and making the remodeling changes necessary would be difficult. I
feel that if the administration would have to use the facilities for a day using a wheelchair,

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Rebecca Stevens
November 1, 2012

PTA 101
Introduction to Physical Therapy

Architectural Barriers
walker, cane, or crutches, they would reconsider the bathrooms, front entrance, and other details
that those who are fully capable often overlook.

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