Margaret,
Starting with the step is one way. Another way is to modify the table height. Let me know if you want to see a photo.
When we had this situation in a General Chemistry lab, we had our shop build a lower table that fit into an existing knee hole. She still needed a step to use
the ADA compliant chemical hood and the ADA compliant sink, but most of her work was done standing on the floor.
As with every adaptive situation we've ever faced, the student's experience was our best guide. She knew what would work.
Sheila
Sheila M. Kennedy, C.H.O.
Safety Coordinator | Teaching Laboratories
Chemistry & Biochemistry |University of California, San Diego
9500 Gilman Dr. | La Jolla, CA 92093-0303
(858) 534 - 0221 | MC 0303 | YORK HALL 3150
s1kennedy**At_Symbol_Here**ucsd.edu | Student Lab Safety,
CHEM Teaching Labs
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
On Behalf Of Margaret Rakas
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2018 7:06 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Student with dwarfism condition (achondroplasia)
Good morning,
We have a student with achondroplasia who will be working in a biology lab with small amounts of chemicals (typically ethidium bromide, alcohols) and while they may occasionally need to use a fume hood, most of the work will occur on the
benchtop (various bench heights, for standing and sitting, not necessarily knee cutouts on all of them).
This condition typically results in a normal-sized trunk but the individual has shortened arms and legs and typically is between 4 ft 1 inch and 4 ft 4 inches.
We will need to get some sort of step stool and plan to involve the student in choosing one that works best for them. Is there a better supplier than Grainger? The lab is older, not necessarily ADA compliant in all sections (I am thinking
width between benches) and what I really don't want to suggest is one of the 'industrial" them to be on something that may not be safe..
Also, are there any other issues we need to be on the watch for? I am not sure how much lab experience the student has had...
Many thanks, really appreciate any recommendations from those of you who have dealt with this type of accommodation previously.
Margaret
--
Margaret A. Rakas, Ph.D.
Manager, Inventory & Regulatory Affairs
Clark Science Center
413-585-3877 (p)
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