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Assistive
or adaptive technology computer
Workstations
Design of
computer workstations is becoming more innovative, like the
technology that sits on top of it. In the process of making
workstations “ergonomically correct,” more consideration has
been given to the variety of potential users. This has worked to the
advantage of people with disabilities since many workstations are
now more “adjustable.” Still, many of the workstations available
may not address the placement, ease and accessibility of office
equipment for the user with a disability. In such cases,
workstations specifically designed for people with disabilities may
be the best option. The products described in this article may
accommodate users with or without disabilities and it is suggested
that the reader call the individual companies to further investigate
the equipment of interest.
Frequently
Asked Questions about assistive or adaptive technology desks
and workstations:
Any single
level or multilevel computer station that offers a height adjustment
feature fits in this category. Most often this adjustment is
accomplished via a manual crank or switch that operates a motor.
These workstations may accom modate a wide range of users, including
a person of short stature who may need to work at a lower level, or
a large person in a power wheelchair that may require higher leg
clearance. Another option to consider is the more permanent,
modular/panel type workstations which are height adjustable during
initial setup, and best of all, often provide a lot of leg clearance
under the desk.
If the
workstation has a single flat surface and the monitor sitting on it
is too low, a monitor platform or monitor arm may need to be added
to achieve the proper height. Similarly, a keyboard platform or arm
can be attached to most work surfaces to achieve the desired
keyboard/mouse position. Unlike a single level surface workstation,
most bi-level workstations will allow the user to fix and adjust the
monitor shelf and keyboard shelf independently to obtain the desired
position.
Not
necessarily. Prices vary greatly in office furniture, as they would
in other types of furniture. The most significant cost difference is
between a manually adjusted workstation and power driven adjustable
workstations. Although motorized workstations are not as expensive
as they were years ago, it still may not be worth the additional
cost if the surface is to remain fixed after the initial adjustment.
There are
some low tech, inexpensive ways to adjust the height of a desk or
work surface that has fixed legs. Besides using wood blocks, leg
extenders, designed especially for this purpose, can boost the
height 3” to 5”.
Some
workstations are designed with recessed compartments that house the
monitor and sit “down in the desk.” Often there is some
flexibility in the angling of the monitor and for some individuals,
this positioning may reduce neck, eye and/or back strain. Another
appealing feature of utilizing this type of workstation is the
resulting unobstructed view. For this reason, recessed workstations
may be desirable for training or educational settings.
The obvious
perk is the ability to move these castor-based units to other areas
of the office, but there may be other advantages as well. A tight
office budget may necessitate the sharing of technology between
different users. Also, since many of the mobile units on the market
are compact in size, they may be desirable in smaller or tight
workstations. Most of these units also have adjustable height
surfaces and can accommodate a wheelchair user.
These
workstations are usually fairly compact and convert from a sitting
to a standing height and anywhere in between. A majority of the
sit/stand stations are adjusted at the touch of a button, but a few
are manual. They are usually narrow and would need to be at least
30” wide to accommodate a wheelchair, although this width may not
leave a lot of room for maneuverability. An alternative is to
purchase a monitor riser and keyboard riser that turns a standard
workstation into one that can be used from a standing position.
These units
may be found in industrial, manufacturing or health care settings
and are ideally designed for brief or intermittent data entry. There
is no desktop, but rather an arm that attaches to a wall and
supports the monitor and keyboard, without any additional work
surface. Ceiling mounted units function the same way, except they
are even more mobile via a tracking system. All these units are
adjustable in all directions for the optimum ergonomic positioning
of the user, standing or sitting. In addition, they are very space
efficient and can be easily moved out of the way. Some units, with
flat screen monitors, can even be folded up flat against the wall.
Given the clear floor space and adjustability features of these
workstations, they may be desirable to wheelchair or scooter users
in the appropriate setting.
What
workstations have features that specifically address the needs
of an individual who uses a wheelchair?
There are a
few manufacturers whose workstations are designed primarily for
people with disabilities:
1. A
bi-level, adjustable height workstation with a lower (keyboard)
shelf that has a maximum tilt of 85 degrees. This accommodates a
mouthstick typist, placing the keyboard in a near vertical
position once secured in place. (Daedalus Technologies, Inc. – www.daessy.com)
2. A
height-adjustable, completely wall-mounted desk, completely free
of any obstructions beneath the “desk,” offering easy
wheelchair access in and out. (AD-AS – www.ad-as.com)
3. A
workstation with a wheelchair track on the floor that allows the
user to easily slide side-to-side along the track while working at
a horizontal workstation. (Wheelchair Workstations)
4. A desk
with one or two turntable surfaces for someone with limited or no
reaching ability. Rotating surfaces make desktop components or
equipment more accessible. (Extensions for
Independence
, www.mouthstick.net)
What
type of workstation can accommodate a user who cannot sit
upright?
For
individuals with orthopedic back conditions, there are a few
companies that make workstations that recline to varying degrees,
offering an option to computing from an office chair:
1. A
self-contained workstation and chair with headrest, attached as
one unit that moves simultaneously to a semi-reclining position of
20 degrees or forward tilt of 10 degrees. (Aptus – www.aptus.com)
2. A
mobile, tilting computer support frame that straddles to the
user’s own bed or recliner. (ErgoPod – www.freedomofspeech.com)
3. A
portable work surface that resembles a tilted TV tray that is
designed to hold a book or laptop computer while the user is
reclining on a couch or bed. (Laptop Laid-Back, KayJae – www.laptop-laidback.com
or www.kayjae.com)
4. A
hospital over-the-bed table with a tilting feature to allow a
laptop user to work from a somewhat reclined position. Some models
may not have a “lip” along the edge to hold the laptop in
place while tilted, so try securing the bottom with Velcro. (BackSaver
– www.backsaver.com ,
Sammons Preston – www.sammonspreston.com)
5. A steel
frame which supports an adjustable CRT arm and attached pull-out
keyboard tray that is positioned over the user’s recliner or
easy chair. (EasyChair Workstation – http://easychairworkstation.com/
More
assistive or adaptive technology computer furniture product
Links
AD-AS,
Furniture Solutions of Universal Design:
Wall-mounted, height-adjustable desk.
800/208-2020
www.ad-as.com
AliMed (Ergonomics), Medical & Ergonomic Products for the
Healthcare and
Business Professional:
Workstations and miscellaneous accessories.
800/225-2610
www.alimed.com
Anthro Corporation, Modular Computer Furniture:
Mobile
workstations; bi-level workstations.
800/325-3841
www.anthro.com
Apex Medical Corp., Self-Care Products:
Tilting over the bed table.
800/328-2935
www.apexmedical.com
BackSaver, Fitness & Relief Solutions for Home & Office:
“
Mobile
recliner desk” or tilting over the bed table with lip; sit-stand
workstation.
800/251-2225
www.backsaver.com
Daedalus Technologies, Mounting Systems & Work Stations:
Manual bi-level adjustable height workstation.
604/244-8443
www.daessy.com
Ergotron, Computer Mounting Solutions and Furniture:
Wall and ceiling mounted monitor/keyboard.
800/888-8458
www.ergotron.com
ErgoQuest, Recliner Workstations:
“ErgoPod,” reclining computer support frame; sit-stand
workstations.
888/298-2898
www.ergoquest.com
Ergotect, Ergonomic Products and Workstations:
Height adjustable workstations; drafting table.
214/747-3746
www.ergotect.com
Extensions for
Independence
, Home Office Equipment for the Disabled:
Accessible workstation with rotating surfaces.
610/388-2037
www.mouthstick.net
Keysan, Computer and Office Furniture and Supplies:
Mobile
workstations; sit-stand workstations; height adjustable
workstations.
800/069-5397
www.keysan.com
Laptop Laidback, Portable Tables:
Portable tilting tray for laptop.
902/226-3092
www.laptop-laidback.com
Mack Bailey Enterprises, Computer Workstations:
EasyChair Workstation.
614/899-0974
easychairworkstation.com/
North Coast Medical, Workplace Ergonomics:
Monitor arms/risers; keyboard trays; mobile workstations.
800/277-6826
www.besafeatwork.com
Sammons Preston, Workstations:
Tilting over the bed table; leg extenders.
800/323-5547
www.accessinc.com
Source Ergonomic, Office Products & Workstations:
Height adjustable workstations.
610/265-2620
www.source-ergo.com
Smart Desks, Computer Workstations:
Recessed desks.
800/770-7042
www.smartdesks.com
Viking Acoustical Group, Ergonomic Furniture:
Monitor arms; keyboard trays; adjustable height workstations.
800/328-8385
www.vikingusa.com
Wheelchair Workstations
Wheelchair tracking system for “sliding along” a horizontal
workstation.
310/973-0384
www.computerfurniture4less.com/newautotable.html
Additional
Resources
Assistive
Technology Partners
601 E. 18th
Ave.,
Suite
130
Denver
,
CO
80203
303/315-1280
Main
800/255-3477
303/837-8964 TTY
303/837-1208 FAX
www.uchsc.edu/atp
Assistive Technology Partners
Western Slope Technical Assistance Center (WesTAC)
2897 North Ave., Module 3A
Grand Junction, CO 81501
970/248-0876 Main
970/248-0877 FAX/TTY
For
more information contact:
Assistive
Technology Partners
601
E. 18
th
Ave.,
Suite
130
Denver
,
CO
80203
303/315-1280
Main 303/837-8964 TTY
303/837-1208
Fax 800/255-3477
www.uchsc.edu/atp
Special
thanks to Tech Connections for information contained in this
article.
Also
available in: Braille, large print, audio tape, disk and alternate
language formats
Fast
Facts made possible by NIDRR Grant #H224A40014
This
publication may be reproduced without written permission provided
that Assistive Technology Partners is appropriately credited.
The
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the
University
of
Colorado
at
Denver
and
Health
Sciences
Center
Other
assistive or adaptive technology computer furniture links:
www.infogrip.com/default.asp
www.iowacompass.org/ATdevices.htm
www.assistivetechnologies.com/index.asp
www.ergoboy.com
/
www.blvd.com/
computer
desk accessories "assistive technology" search on Yahoo
"assistive
technology computer desks" search on Yahoo
www.dbh-adaptive-technology.com/products/home.html
Attractive. Mobile. Flexible. DBH has delivered thousands of
adjustable computer desks for use at home. Custom treatments, colors
and finishes insure that each DBH is a complementary addition to any
home. Custom
configuration means that each DBH desk is customized to adapt to
any physical need. And every desk is also easily configured for
enhancing the computing experience for every user in the household
http://www.enablemart.com/All-Access-Workstation_2
EnableMart
All-Access Workstations
are just that; all-access solutions. We have designed the All-Access
Workstation for public facilities such as One-stop employment
offices, Libraries, and Universities. The All-Access system is set
up to provide universal access to organizations who encounter
patrons with a wide range of abilities and needs. Implementing an
All-Access Workstation will welcome individuals with vision,
hearing, communication, learning and mobility challenges to uses
your services.
standard computer desks + more accessory links are on page
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