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HANDICAP ACCESS
For better Handicap Access, products and environments should be usable
within the comfortable reach of the intended users, including those who
are seated and those who are standing. Circulation clearances and
environments should be large enough to accommodate wheelchair and
walking aide users. Grip sizes and clearances should be within the range
abilities of people who have limited grip or have to use alternatives to
the standard grips. Often we think that Handicap Access can be achieved
best through larger spaces; however, reducing energy expenditure is
often just as important as providing enough clearance for wheelchair
movements. In particular, older people need an environment that
eliminates unnecessary expenditure of effort. This can be achieved by
organizing space and designing devices to simplify the tasks of using
them and may mean keeping spaces from getting too large. Useless
movements should be eliminated. Hands-free operation can be an excellent
way to reduce energy expenditure. Operating forces on controls and
hardware should be kept to a minimum. Finally, products and environments
should be designed to reduce bending and stretching.
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