Tips on Adapting Your Physical Environment When You Are Disabled
Perspective from above.
One of the main aspects of being disabled is learning to adapt your physical environment to meet your personal needs and wants. I'm talking about more than just accessibility here. I also include comfort, aesthetics, and affordability. Whatever circumstance brought disability into your life, learning how to make your environment FIT you is probably something you learned to prioritize quickly. Because let's face it, the world is not as accommodating as it should be. Additionally, if you are disabled and you haven't really given much focus or attention to tailoring your physical surroundings, you SHOULD, because YOU are worth it and your needs are valid and deserving.
For example: right now, I am typing this blog post laying flat on my back, typing on a wireless keyboard that has a built-in trackpad, while my iPad is mounted inverted above my head. Why do I have this set-up? Because it is the most comfortable and functional for me to lay in bed and use my iPad. Because of my disability, I can't sit up. And it would be exhausting and uncomfortable to have to lay flat and hold my iPad above my head for hours at a time. And also, how would I type? It's not the prettiest set-up, but I have made it as minimal as possible, and its function far outweighs the visual impact it has on my bedroom decor.
Perspective from below.
I came up with this idea by doing one of my favorite things when brainstorming: asking myself one of my favorite questions: Why not? ("who says" is the other one, but we'll save that one for another post). When looking for my perfect solution, I asked myself, why can't I suspend my laptop above my head? The answer is, of course, nothing. So that set me about on a quest of research (mostly on Amazon) for iPad mounts that would bend and clamp the way I needed. Add in some basic physics laws (levers, pullies, etc.), some well-placed zip-ties and clamps, and voila! My solution for hours of comfortable, accessible, hands-free iPad use was born.
I suppose my tenacity for adaption evolved over years of being disabled and not having an environment that met my needs—also, having an almost stubbornly independent side to my personality added to the mix. When I was growing up, my parents did not accommodate my disability much. I only remember a simple small step stool in the bathroom for things like being high enough to use the sink when brushing my teeth. If I wanted to reach the microwave mounted above the stove in the kitchen, I would just open the stove door and stand on that! I was forced from an early age to learn how to think outside of the box.
Being able to think about my surrounding unconventionally over the years has served me well. It has allowed me to focus on what I want to get accomplished and not reasons why they cannot. I genuinely believe that almost every problem has a solution. You just have to be willing (or, in my case, stubborn) enough to find it. Learning to adapt quickly is also a skill you learn when you are in unfamiliar surroundings. I remember when I was serving on jury duty, and we were asked to sit in the jury box seats. Since I prefer to kneel and not sit (except when I'm driving), I had to think quickly in the moment. Thankfully the jury chair swiveled 360 degrees. The court bailiff looked at me quizzically as I went to take my seat, wondering if I would be okay. With one quick spin of the chair, I took my seat and gave him a look like, "move along, sir, I got this."
Other times we often have to adapt our environment is when we are traveling. If you are a seasoned disabled traveler, you know that "accessible" doesn't mean the same thing everywhere you go. Some bathrooms might have an accessible-height toilet but not a roll-in shower. Some rooms might have light switches you can reach, but not the thermostat. Being aware of your needs, and having the ability to ask questions and assistance when needed, is very important to have your accommodations met. And still, where you find limitations, that is where you can bring your own mobility aids and equipment to truly help your space be fully functional, safe, and comfortable for you and your specific needs.
But there should be a balance, right? After all, wasn't the Americans with Disabilities Act passed to ensure equal access for disabled people? Well, yes, it was. But laws are only as good as they are enforced. And unfortunately, in many parts of our society, the ADA's promise has yet to be fully kept. And the ableist people in our society would be just fine with that. They don't concern themselves with accessibility issues because it doesn't impact them directly. Part of how we, as disabled people, can address this is by living our lives to the fullest; and finding ways to get what we need when we need it. When we use our radical creativity to make the world fit us, we are making it not about us fitting into the world. Whether at home, work, or out in the world, we deserve the ability to move through our day in physical spaces that genuinely serve our being.
Here are some common changes you can make to your physical environment to make it more accessible:
door levers instead of knobs
drawer pulls instead of knobs
using step stools
adding ramps (temporary fold-out or permanent)
adding longer chains to things like ceiling fans or lights
adding roll-out shelving in cabinets
installing a hand-held shower wand in the bathroom
installing "smart plugs" that use voice command to turn off and on appliances, or that run on a timers
add wheels to most anything you can to make them easier to move
getting creative with PVC and zip ties to make something custom. It is cheap and lightweight. And zip-ties are very strong.
The list can go on and on, but I think you get the idea. Don't be afraid to admit to yourself and others what you really want or need, and then go out and work to make it a reality. You will wonder why you waited so long to find that one simple solution that can make many things easier in your life.