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Chemistry from a wheelchair


Nearly every year we have at least one wheelchair student who wants to
do our First Year Chemistry courses. Like most student labs we have
only high benches (intended for work in the standing position) that are far
too high for a wheelchair.

I understand that funding will be made available to us next year to provide
better facilities for students working from wheelchairs. At present I
am thinking in terms of lowering a section of one of our high benches
and removing the storage cupboards etc from under the bench so that the
wheelchair can fit (partly) under the bench. Other facilities (water,
gas, electricity outlets etc) will also have to be lowered.

I would appreciated information from anyone on the net who has
experience in providing facilities in laboratories for wheelchair
students. Are there design specifications available? What safety
problems are there?

Many thanks.

                 Prof. Charles E. Loader
                 Chemistry Department
                 Memorial University
                 St. John's
                 Newfoundland
                 Canada
                 A1B 3X7

       electronic:
                    charles1@garfield.UUCP   (Most likely to work)
                    charles@munucs.UUCP
                    CLOADER@MUN           (BITNET)
                    charles@munucs.mun.cdn (EAN)