How to Integrate...

• Wheelchairs
• Ramps
• Other Mobility Equipment
• Environmental Adjustments
• Accessible Toilet Facilities
• Shower Chairs/Bath Benches
• Personal Attendants
• Guide Dogs and Service  Animals
• Lifting and Transferring
• Policy Adaptations for Organizations Working with People with Mobility Impairments

Wheelchairs

Wheelchairs are important adaptive equipment devices for people with mobility impairments. Most people who have their own wheelchairs are very familiar with their uses and limitations. However, individuals may need assistance with repairs while participating in an international program. When placing a student who uses a wheelchair or a scooter, it is a good idea to identify the nearest wheelchair or bicycle repair shop in case of emergencies. Make prior arrangements with the exchange participant about who is responsible for the cost of any major repairs.

Electric wheelchairs must be recharged every one to two days depending on use. Compare the voltage requirements in the home and host countries and be sure that the proper type of adapter and voltage transformer are available: Guide to Electrical Adapters, Converters and Transformers for International Travel with Power Wheelchairs and Other Electrical Devices

Repairs for electric or ‘power’ wheelchairs are more expensive than for manual wheelchairs. Electric wheelchair parts may be difficult to acquire in rural areas or developing countries. Assembling an emergency kit of frequently-broken, hard-to-get parts for power wheelchair users is a smart idea.

Exchange programs should also explore the realities of the community where the disabled participant will live in order to help that individual decide if a manual or an electric wheelchair is the best choice. It is not always practical to take an electric wheelchair on a program, especially when traveling in a very inaccessible environment or where charging the battery would be a challenge. In this case, an electric wheelchair user might choose to take a manual chair for convenience. A participant who usually uses an electric wheelchair may require a personal assistant to accomplish daily living tasks when using a manual chair. Both the international organization and program participants need to be flexible in dealing with these issues.

Individuals and organizations should become familiar with airline policies regarding power wheelchairs, as many air carriers have specific policies on how to package electric wheelchair parts. Some types of chairs may need to be dismantled completely for flight. Other airlines may have a ban on the hazardous materials that are found in some wheelchair batteries.

Some people who usually walk or use crutches may choose to use a wheelchair during an exchange for long distances or in certain types of terrain. Participants should be encouraged to use whatever adaptive equipment will be most useful and effective during their exchange, volunteer or work experience.

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Ramps

Ramps make people with physical disabilities feel welcome in public places. Whether inside or outside, the slope of a ramp should be no greater than 1:12. For every 1 foot of vertical height there should be 12 feet of ramp. In the United States, federal law guides ramp construction and is enforced in all public buildings. However, because of limited space and financial resources, disabled individuals often build ramps for themselves that are shorter and steeper than 1:12. Before building a short ramp, be sure to discuss strength, balance and clearance issues with the user.

Portable ramps are most often used by people to get in and out of vehicles while remaining in their wheelchairs, or to access buildings where there are no permanent ramps. People use everything from homemade wooden ramps to motorcycle ramps, up to more expensive ramps designed specifically for wheelchair use. Portable ramps can be shorter, often around six or seven feet in length. Many ramps have hinges and fold for easier storage.

Portable ramps are ideal for temporary uses such as orientation meetings, short homestays, field trips, etc. These ramps may be purchased or rented from medical supply stores. Moving companies might also be able to lend or rent ramps.

It is important to note that standard ramps may not be sufficient for some types of wheelchairs or three-wheeled scooters. Some users will need ramps that are especially sturdy and built of one solid piece of metal or wood. Scooter users cannot use motorcycle ramps because of the nature of their chairs.

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Other Mobility Equipment

Many people with disabilities choose to use crutches, braces, canes or adaptive (orthotic) shoes. Individuals with upper limb disabilities may use adaptive equipment to assist with daily activities such as dressing or opening doors. People with limited handwriting ability may use a computer or typewriter instead of pen and paper. Generally people who need these devices already own them. However, participants from overseas may not have had access to some types of adaptive devices in their home country.

Exchange organizations should be sure to agree with participants before a program begins about who will be responsible for repair or replacement costs.

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Environmental Adjustments

Some people with disabilities may need to have tables or chairs adjusted for their use. To make tables higher, place blocks of wood under the legs. To lower tables or chairs, cut the legs down with a hand saw. Many people can benefit from these types of simple adaptations. Other disabled individuals may need to use a bed of a certain height. Try using a futon instead of a bed or placing the box springs and mattress on the floor rather than on a frame. Helpful (and Low-Cost!) Tips for Accommodating Participants with Disabilities

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Accessible Toilet Facilities

Another issue to consider is the availability of accessible toilet facilities. A portable commode can be an excellent solution to this problem. A commode can also double as a shower chair or a seat. Commodes can be rented or purchased through medical equipment suppliers. This simple adaptation can create improved access for people with physical disabilities who are willing to be flexible for the sake of adventure.

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Shower Chairs/Bath Benches

Some people with disabilities need to have extra support for showering. Shower chairs make it possible for many people with mobility impairments to shower independently. Shower chairs and bath benches come in many shapes and sizes. Consult the individual who will be using the equipment for specific requirements.

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Personal Attendants

Attendants are assistants hired by people with disabilities to help with everyday personal activities, such as dressing, bathing, bathroom needs, cooking, shopping and other household chores. At home, some disabled adults use attendants for difficult chores. For US citizens, many state and federal programs provide attendant services.

Most people with disabilities do not use personal attendants. Not all wheelchair users will necessarily need an attendant. Many people use electric wheelchairs because of weakness in their arms that prevents pushing a chair. These individuals can often complete everyday tasks without assistance. Personal Assistants on International Exchange Programs

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Guide Dogs and Service Animals

The option of entering into a partnership with an animal trained to provide services to assist a person with a disability is becoming increasingly common for people with a wide variety of disabilities. The assistance these animals provide allows the person with a disability an opportunity to have round-the-clock access to the assistance they need in order to  lessen the affect their disability has on daily life.  An animal can adapt to environments, adjust how it performs its duties and respond to changes in its partner like no other piece of adaptive equipment can. Find out out more about participating in international exchange programs with Guide Dogs and Service Animals. Several members of the Peer Network have included their animal assistants in their international exchange experiences. Request to speak to a peer.

Lifting and Transferring

Being carried is for many people an uncomfortable experience, both physically and in terms of dignity and independence. Lifting someone up stairs or around obstacles is not an acceptable alternative to appropriate accessibility measures. Most people prefer to be lifted only as a last resort. There may be times, however, when a person with a mobility impairment may choose to tackle environmental barriers that require lifting or transferring.

A proper lift and transfer should be a comfortable and safe experience, for the lifter as well as the individual being lifted. Everyone involved must work together to ensure that all transfers will be comfortable and safe. The person being lifted should direct the lift, as he or she knows what will work best. The people lifting need to have a good understanding of safe lifting techniques, as well as specific instructions from the individual being lifted, to protect their own bodies.

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Policy Adaptations for Organizations Working with People with Mobility Impairments

Policy adaptations for organizations including people with mobility impairments in their programs should be based on providing reasonable alternatives to regular program expectations. This might mean waiving a requirement that a student carry their own luggage, providing extra logistical assistance to a participant in a wheelchair or allowing someone with a motor impairment to answer evaluation questions on tape instead of in writing.

After applicants have been accepted, international exchange organizations should be sure to send accommodation forms to all participants with and without disabilities. Accommodation forms are useful in identifying participants with disabilities and learning how much assistance each individual will need. A sample accommodation form can be found in Appendix B of the Building Bridges publication. It should be noted that as a participant adapts to his or her new environment, less accommodation may be necessary.

When working with people with disabilities from other countries, it is important to recognize that at home their attendant care may be supplied by family members. When advising foreign students, encourage them to think about how much support they will need on a program where family members are not present.

Organizations should also consider evaluating all program policies to determine if they should be altered to reflect greater inclusion of participants with disabilities in the program.

Information condensed from Building Bridges: Including People with Disabilities in International Programs.

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Advisors should remember that every individual with a mobility impairment will have different needs during their overseas program. Exchange professionals are encouraged to learn about each individual’s strengths and weaknesses.