| Environmental Access is
the process of adapting the workplace, residence and/or general
environment to promote the independence and functional ability of
physically challenged and aging individuals. Adaptations may include
physically changing portions of an environment to create functional
access according to an individual’s specific needs. Terms often
associated with environmental access include independent living
strategies, universal design, barrier-free design, architectural
access, assistive technology, accessibility, retrofitting, home
modifications, and medical remodeling.
In the U.S., the disabled population is
a rapidly growing segment already estimated at greater than 49
million. Advances in medical technology in recent years have greatly
enhanced the life span of catastrophically injured and seriously ill
individuals. People are also living longer, and in terms of
accessibility, the disabled population now includes the elderly, who
significantly enhance the total number of persons depending upon
specialists in environmental access to address aging-in-place. Current
figures indicate that the fastest growing population are persons over
the age of 80.
Publications:
Links:
|
