Follow these tips to make your campus accessible for persons with...
VISUAL disABILITIES
• make sure buildings, door numbers & office numbers are in Braille and in
large print so that individuals can find their way
• put the school newspaper online
• labeled pop and snack machines
• provide at least one large print and Braille magazine in your waiting rooms
• signage should be large and easy to read
• avoid poor quality photo copy
• avoid posting information on bulletin boards only; use additional means of notification
HEARING disABILITIES
• make TDD systems available
• closed-captioned movies shown on campus
• closed-captioned campus information and recruitment videos
MOBILITY disABILITIES
• provide automatic door openers at a level that can be reached
• bathroom stalls should be large enough for maneuvering
• sinks should be at the proper height for individuals in wheelchairs
• counter height should be appropriate for wheelchair users
• avoid security doors (e.g. card swipes) that require the use of two hands
• avoid exterior doors or curb cuts with raised lips
• keep curb cuts free of water, ice, and snow
"Don't allow your disABILITY to shut you out of life; your request for Access has been Granted"
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Gout Hurts!
What is Gout?
Gout is a condition often mentioned in literature and historical records. Described as a painful inflammation of the limbs, especially the big toe, Gout develops as a result of the buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints.
Some people are more prone to it based on family history. Chances are that many of their ancestors suffered from it, as well. But other people get it due to their own physiology and lifestyle choices. A form of arthritis, a gout attack can be crippling and keep a person out of commission for one or more days while nursing their painful joints.
How Is Gout Diagnosed?
Even doctor can find gout difficult to diagnose. This is usually the case because the symptoms of gout may be indistinct and often mimic other conditions. Although at some time during the course of gout, most people with gout will have hyperuricemia, but it may not be present during an acute gout attack. Besides, having hyperuricemia does not confirm one to have gout. In actual fact, most people with hyperuricemia do not develop the gout.
To confirm a diagnosis of gout, doctors will first have to test the synovial fluid found in the joint by using a needle to draw a sample of the fluid from a person's inflamed joint. Under the microscope, the doctor will look for monosodium urate crystals in the fluid sample by placing it on a slide. If the person is diagnosed with gout, the doctor will almost always see crystals in the fluid sample obtained from the inflamed joint. How their absences are does not completely rule out the diagnosis of gout. Doctors may also find it useful to examine joint or tophi deposits to diagnose gout.
Signs and Symptoms of Gout:
Attack of arthritis in only one joint, usually the toe, ankle, or knee
Arthritis that develops in 1 day
Hyperuricemia
More than one attack of acute arthritis
Painful joint that is swollen, red, and warm
Presence of uric acid crystals in joint fluid
How Is Gout Treated?
Most people diagnosed with gout should be able to control their symptoms and live a normal live with the help of proper treatment. Gout can be treated with one or a combination of therapies. These gout treatments aims to relieve the pain associated with acute gout attacks, prevent future gout attacks, and avoid the formation of new tophi in the joints or in serious cases kidney stones in the kidney.
A common treatment for an acute attack of gout usually includes high doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's) and injections of corticosteroid drugs into the affected joint. NSAID's helps to diminish the inflammation caused by deposits of uric acid crystals at the joints. The NSAID's most commonly prescribed by doctor for gout are indomethacin and naproxen. These drugs can be taken orally every day. Patients on the prescription usually will begin to improve within a few hours of the treatment, and subsequently the gout attacks will go away completely within a few days.
In certain cases, the doctor may consider using colchicines when NSAID's fails to control the gout symptoms. Colchicines is most effective when taken within the first 12 hours of an acute attack of gout. Colchicine can be administered orally every hour until the gout symptoms subside, or they can inject by the doctor directly into a vein. The side effect of colchicines is that it might cause diarrhea when taken orally.
For some patients, the doctor may prescribe either NSAID's or oral colchicine in small daily doses to prevent future attacks of gout. In some cases, the doctor may have to prescribe allopurinol (Zyloprim) and probenecid (Benemid), medicine used to treat hyperuricemia, if gout attacks continues and tophi develop even after the prescription of NSAID's or colchicines.
What Can People With Gout Do To Stay Healthy?
Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is very important. Avoid foods that are high in purines and drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Fluids can help to remove the excessive uric acid from the body.
Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy body weight. Try to lose weight if you happen to be overweight.
To help prevent future gout attacks, take the medicines prescribed by your doctor Follow the instructions carefully with regards to how much medicine to take and when to take it. Acute gout is best treated when symptoms first occur.
Update your doctor with your medical history and provide information on all the medicines and vitamins you are currently taking. The doctor should be able to tell you if any of the medicine will increase your risk of hyperuricemia.
If you or someone you know suffers from this disease, you may be involved in home care to manage discomfort and help the person to get through the difficult attack.
Tips for Gout Pain:
Keep the foot elevated. It's hard to stay immobile for any length of time, let alone keep a foot aloft for several hours. Arrange a comfortable spot in the living room or family room where the person can remain part of family life and enjoy entertainments like the television, newspaper, and even guest visits. You might want to set up a second area in the bedroom where the person can rest in private or take a nap.
Make the support materials comfortable and firm. When propping the foot, use a solid pillow or folded blanket for support, taking care that they will not sag and gradually lower the foot. Place these in such a way that they are not likely to fall or tilt. Use clean and soft, rather than scratchy, fabric to keep the skin comfortable.
Avoid trigger foods. The doctor will provide a list of these, which include popular low-fat foods like turkey, so you will want to find suitable substitutes, especially if the person likes to keep turkey on hand for frequent meals. Go over the list with the gout sufferer and beside each forbidden food, come up with two or three replacements. Then shop for these and keep them on hand, since you never know when the next attack will occur, and they can come on suddenly.
Eat wholesome foods that reduce inflammation. The doctor should also be able to provide this list, which includes surprisingly tasty choices like cherries. Ask about flax seed oil as a supplement in addition to foods like salmon, with omega 3 oil, and tea, both of which have been shown to reduce or limit inflammation in the body.
Lose weight slowly: People suffering from gout are usually overweight with their body weight about 10 to 15 percent overweight. More your girth, higher your uric acid level. The higher incidence of the uric acid leads to frequent and intense gout attacks. But take care that you should lose weight slowly as crash diet leads to increase in uric acid levels.
Control blood pressure: Gout patients who also suffer from hypertension need to be extra careful. This is because the blood pressure medications raise the levels of uric acid. Hence it is advisable to control the blood pressure naturally by lowering the intake of the sodium, exercising regularly, reducing the excess weight and eliminating stress.
Skip liver: Certain foods contain purine that raise uric acid levels. Though it is found in most foods, it is advisable to skip certain foods like red meat especially organ meats, liver, certain types of fish and some green leafy vegetables like spinach.
Stop the drink: If you are suffering from gout, avoid alcohol. This is because alcohol stimulates the production of uric acid. Beer is the main culprit as it has higher purine content than the other wines or spirits.
Go heavy on water: Drinking lots of water will help kidneys flush out the excess uric acid. Dehydration is also known to trigger the gout attack. You can increase the urinary output by drinking at least five glasses of water a day.
"Don't allow your disABILITY to shut you out of life; your request for Access has been Granted"
Gout is a condition often mentioned in literature and historical records. Described as a painful inflammation of the limbs, especially the big toe, Gout develops as a result of the buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints.
Some people are more prone to it based on family history. Chances are that many of their ancestors suffered from it, as well. But other people get it due to their own physiology and lifestyle choices. A form of arthritis, a gout attack can be crippling and keep a person out of commission for one or more days while nursing their painful joints.
How Is Gout Diagnosed?
Even doctor can find gout difficult to diagnose. This is usually the case because the symptoms of gout may be indistinct and often mimic other conditions. Although at some time during the course of gout, most people with gout will have hyperuricemia, but it may not be present during an acute gout attack. Besides, having hyperuricemia does not confirm one to have gout. In actual fact, most people with hyperuricemia do not develop the gout.
To confirm a diagnosis of gout, doctors will first have to test the synovial fluid found in the joint by using a needle to draw a sample of the fluid from a person's inflamed joint. Under the microscope, the doctor will look for monosodium urate crystals in the fluid sample by placing it on a slide. If the person is diagnosed with gout, the doctor will almost always see crystals in the fluid sample obtained from the inflamed joint. How their absences are does not completely rule out the diagnosis of gout. Doctors may also find it useful to examine joint or tophi deposits to diagnose gout.
Signs and Symptoms of Gout:
Attack of arthritis in only one joint, usually the toe, ankle, or knee
Arthritis that develops in 1 day
Hyperuricemia
More than one attack of acute arthritis
Painful joint that is swollen, red, and warm
Presence of uric acid crystals in joint fluid
How Is Gout Treated?
Most people diagnosed with gout should be able to control their symptoms and live a normal live with the help of proper treatment. Gout can be treated with one or a combination of therapies. These gout treatments aims to relieve the pain associated with acute gout attacks, prevent future gout attacks, and avoid the formation of new tophi in the joints or in serious cases kidney stones in the kidney.
A common treatment for an acute attack of gout usually includes high doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's) and injections of corticosteroid drugs into the affected joint. NSAID's helps to diminish the inflammation caused by deposits of uric acid crystals at the joints. The NSAID's most commonly prescribed by doctor for gout are indomethacin and naproxen. These drugs can be taken orally every day. Patients on the prescription usually will begin to improve within a few hours of the treatment, and subsequently the gout attacks will go away completely within a few days.
In certain cases, the doctor may consider using colchicines when NSAID's fails to control the gout symptoms. Colchicines is most effective when taken within the first 12 hours of an acute attack of gout. Colchicine can be administered orally every hour until the gout symptoms subside, or they can inject by the doctor directly into a vein. The side effect of colchicines is that it might cause diarrhea when taken orally.
For some patients, the doctor may prescribe either NSAID's or oral colchicine in small daily doses to prevent future attacks of gout. In some cases, the doctor may have to prescribe allopurinol (Zyloprim) and probenecid (Benemid), medicine used to treat hyperuricemia, if gout attacks continues and tophi develop even after the prescription of NSAID's or colchicines.
What Can People With Gout Do To Stay Healthy?
Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is very important. Avoid foods that are high in purines and drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Fluids can help to remove the excessive uric acid from the body.
Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy body weight. Try to lose weight if you happen to be overweight.
To help prevent future gout attacks, take the medicines prescribed by your doctor Follow the instructions carefully with regards to how much medicine to take and when to take it. Acute gout is best treated when symptoms first occur.
Update your doctor with your medical history and provide information on all the medicines and vitamins you are currently taking. The doctor should be able to tell you if any of the medicine will increase your risk of hyperuricemia.
If you or someone you know suffers from this disease, you may be involved in home care to manage discomfort and help the person to get through the difficult attack.
Tips for Gout Pain:
Keep the foot elevated. It's hard to stay immobile for any length of time, let alone keep a foot aloft for several hours. Arrange a comfortable spot in the living room or family room where the person can remain part of family life and enjoy entertainments like the television, newspaper, and even guest visits. You might want to set up a second area in the bedroom where the person can rest in private or take a nap.
Make the support materials comfortable and firm. When propping the foot, use a solid pillow or folded blanket for support, taking care that they will not sag and gradually lower the foot. Place these in such a way that they are not likely to fall or tilt. Use clean and soft, rather than scratchy, fabric to keep the skin comfortable.
Avoid trigger foods. The doctor will provide a list of these, which include popular low-fat foods like turkey, so you will want to find suitable substitutes, especially if the person likes to keep turkey on hand for frequent meals. Go over the list with the gout sufferer and beside each forbidden food, come up with two or three replacements. Then shop for these and keep them on hand, since you never know when the next attack will occur, and they can come on suddenly.
Eat wholesome foods that reduce inflammation. The doctor should also be able to provide this list, which includes surprisingly tasty choices like cherries. Ask about flax seed oil as a supplement in addition to foods like salmon, with omega 3 oil, and tea, both of which have been shown to reduce or limit inflammation in the body.
Lose weight slowly: People suffering from gout are usually overweight with their body weight about 10 to 15 percent overweight. More your girth, higher your uric acid level. The higher incidence of the uric acid leads to frequent and intense gout attacks. But take care that you should lose weight slowly as crash diet leads to increase in uric acid levels.
Control blood pressure: Gout patients who also suffer from hypertension need to be extra careful. This is because the blood pressure medications raise the levels of uric acid. Hence it is advisable to control the blood pressure naturally by lowering the intake of the sodium, exercising regularly, reducing the excess weight and eliminating stress.
Skip liver: Certain foods contain purine that raise uric acid levels. Though it is found in most foods, it is advisable to skip certain foods like red meat especially organ meats, liver, certain types of fish and some green leafy vegetables like spinach.
Stop the drink: If you are suffering from gout, avoid alcohol. This is because alcohol stimulates the production of uric acid. Beer is the main culprit as it has higher purine content than the other wines or spirits.
Go heavy on water: Drinking lots of water will help kidneys flush out the excess uric acid. Dehydration is also known to trigger the gout attack. You can increase the urinary output by drinking at least five glasses of water a day.
"Don't allow your disABILITY to shut you out of life; your request for Access has been Granted"
Thursday, February 10, 2011
How To Pick A Shower Chair
You may know shower chairs are made for your safety whilet you are taking a bath. With this, you might assume all special chairs are safe to use. But not all chairs are made the same. Before you buy one then you should also make sure you have reviewed some tips on how to pick the safest chair for your needs.
1 – Identify your needs for one
A shower chair can be used for a number of reasons. For one, it can be of great help to the elderly who can no longer stand on their own while taking a bath. It can also be useful for obese individuals who find standing difficult. Identifying your need for one can be the first step towards picking the safest model.
2 – Look at reviews for a variety of brands
There are many great names manufacturing shower chairs today. Each brand may have received accolades from numerous award-giving bodies. At times, you may also read reviews about these brands. Once you have gone over these reviews, you can then identify the safest chair for your showering needs.
Make sure that you are reading a credible testimonial though. How will this be possible? Aside from browsing through the manufacturer's site, you may always expand your choices. Go to review sites specifically made for shower chairs or for medical supplies or bariatric products. These communities offer reviews from people who have actually used these special pieces of bathroom equipment.
3 – Consider its design
You have a wide array of options for shower seat designs. When looking into this aspect of your purchase, it's important to balance aesthetics with functionality. Oftentimes, you will be delighted buying a product that you are attracted to without actually looking into how it has been made. The safest shower seats are those that contain a combination of good design and practical functionality.
4 – Consider the weight capacity
It is also wise to look into the weight capacity of the shower chair. This will tell you whether it will be suitable for the weight of the person who will make use of it. Add to that, you must also consider the convenience or comfort it can offer.
5 – Is it easy to clean?
Furthermore, you should also consider the ease of cleaning for these items. Being able to easily clean this chair would translate to the user's safety later on.
You can also consider accessories that come with the package as long as they add to your safety while you are in the shower. Not to forget, you should also take note of the price-quality aspect of the product. Considering all five tips mentioned above will help you arrive at the safest shower chair.
"Don't allow your disABILITY to shut you out of life; your request for Access has been Granted"
1 – Identify your needs for one
A shower chair can be used for a number of reasons. For one, it can be of great help to the elderly who can no longer stand on their own while taking a bath. It can also be useful for obese individuals who find standing difficult. Identifying your need for one can be the first step towards picking the safest model.
2 – Look at reviews for a variety of brands
There are many great names manufacturing shower chairs today. Each brand may have received accolades from numerous award-giving bodies. At times, you may also read reviews about these brands. Once you have gone over these reviews, you can then identify the safest chair for your showering needs.
Make sure that you are reading a credible testimonial though. How will this be possible? Aside from browsing through the manufacturer's site, you may always expand your choices. Go to review sites specifically made for shower chairs or for medical supplies or bariatric products. These communities offer reviews from people who have actually used these special pieces of bathroom equipment.
3 – Consider its design
You have a wide array of options for shower seat designs. When looking into this aspect of your purchase, it's important to balance aesthetics with functionality. Oftentimes, you will be delighted buying a product that you are attracted to without actually looking into how it has been made. The safest shower seats are those that contain a combination of good design and practical functionality.
4 – Consider the weight capacity
It is also wise to look into the weight capacity of the shower chair. This will tell you whether it will be suitable for the weight of the person who will make use of it. Add to that, you must also consider the convenience or comfort it can offer.
5 – Is it easy to clean?
Furthermore, you should also consider the ease of cleaning for these items. Being able to easily clean this chair would translate to the user's safety later on.
You can also consider accessories that come with the package as long as they add to your safety while you are in the shower. Not to forget, you should also take note of the price-quality aspect of the product. Considering all five tips mentioned above will help you arrive at the safest shower chair.
"Don't allow your disABILITY to shut you out of life; your request for Access has been Granted"
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Wheelchair Accessible Minivans
Consumers needing wheelchair accessible vans can now choose a sporty, compact minivan instead of the regular full-sized van. These vans can be equipped with ramps or lifts and can comfortably handle several seating arrangements. While less interior room than a full-sized van, there is still sufficient room to meet the needs of the handicapped person.
There are at least three choices for ramp access into the minivan for a wheelchair or scooter: side entry lowered floor models, rear entry lowered floor models, and front entry lowered floor models. In the side entry models the wheelchair user enters at the second row and may be accommodated in the front or second row of seating. For rear entry models the passengers enter on the ramp in the rear and remain in the second or third row of seating. Front entry models allow a wheelchair to enter on the front seat side, positioning the wheelchair for the handicapped person to drive.
Accessible vans provide the handicapped person with freedom, independence, and convenience. No more does the wheelchair dependent person have to rely on help to get in and out of a vehicle, and in the case of those choosing to drive; he or she no longer has to rely on friends and family to take them where they need to go. It's a snap to run errands, go to the doctor, see a movie, visit a friend, or take a vacation. With accessible vans equipped with handicapped operating tools, such as hand controls or adjusted hand and pedal controls, there are no limitations to where a handicapped person can travel.
Ramps can be manually operated or automatically powered. Some ramps can be stored in a compartment inside the minivan, while others fold inside the vehicle. Ramps are generally easy to use and often less expensive. They require little maintenance. However, a lift may be easier to use for the handicapped person alone.
Lifts mount to a trailer hitch or inside the vehicle and can be used to store the wheelchair during travel or as a place to lock the wheelchair for use during travel. They can be installed in the trunk, rear of a vehicle, side opening of a minivan, or at the driver's side allowing for driving the minivan.
Minivans are generally easier to maneuver than full-sized vans and certainly make for a sportier look as far as accessible vans go.
"Don't allow your disABILITY to shut you out of life; your request for Access has been Granted"
There are at least three choices for ramp access into the minivan for a wheelchair or scooter: side entry lowered floor models, rear entry lowered floor models, and front entry lowered floor models. In the side entry models the wheelchair user enters at the second row and may be accommodated in the front or second row of seating. For rear entry models the passengers enter on the ramp in the rear and remain in the second or third row of seating. Front entry models allow a wheelchair to enter on the front seat side, positioning the wheelchair for the handicapped person to drive.
Accessible vans provide the handicapped person with freedom, independence, and convenience. No more does the wheelchair dependent person have to rely on help to get in and out of a vehicle, and in the case of those choosing to drive; he or she no longer has to rely on friends and family to take them where they need to go. It's a snap to run errands, go to the doctor, see a movie, visit a friend, or take a vacation. With accessible vans equipped with handicapped operating tools, such as hand controls or adjusted hand and pedal controls, there are no limitations to where a handicapped person can travel.
Ramps can be manually operated or automatically powered. Some ramps can be stored in a compartment inside the minivan, while others fold inside the vehicle. Ramps are generally easy to use and often less expensive. They require little maintenance. However, a lift may be easier to use for the handicapped person alone.
Lifts mount to a trailer hitch or inside the vehicle and can be used to store the wheelchair during travel or as a place to lock the wheelchair for use during travel. They can be installed in the trunk, rear of a vehicle, side opening of a minivan, or at the driver's side allowing for driving the minivan.
Minivans are generally easier to maneuver than full-sized vans and certainly make for a sportier look as far as accessible vans go.
"Don't allow your disABILITY to shut you out of life; your request for Access has been Granted"
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