Accessibility - sponsored by Universal Design Newsletter
New Products
From the Universal Design Newsletter – Originally published January 2003
Accessible Apartment Door Entry System
Viking Electronics and the City of San Francisco recently introduced the AES-2000 apartment door entry system, which incorporates both text and verbal operating instructions and tenant directories. In addition to being fully text tty-compatible, allowing visitors to communicate with tenants via standard tty keyboard entries, the unit incorporates the familiar etched tactile, dia-mond-shaped EZ Help system developed by the University of Wisconsin TRACE Center. The button provides easy-to-understand verbal instructions that guide visitors through using the tenant directory, volume button and keypad, and the visual display uses ½ -inch black characters against a backlit green background for easy readability.
Viking Electronics Inc.
1531 Industrial Street
Hudson, WI 54016
Phone: 715.386.8861
www.vikingelectronics.com
Aquatic Lifts
RMT Aquatics has launched two aquatic lifts designed for use in pools: the PAL-1000 portable lift and the Splash! semi-portable lift. The PAL1000 requires no mounting, is easily rolled to the edge of the pool to assist guests into the water, and provides a 240-degree turning radius for safe transfers. The removable, deck-mounted Splash! is easily installed using standard anchors and provides a 359-degree turning radius. Both lifts are manufactured with corro-sion-proof materials and feature a screw-driven lifting actuator, which is powered by a 24-volt rechargeable battery. The lifts can be operated with waterproof hand controls by either users or attendants; and can lift up to 300 pounds (375 pounds for Splash! Heavy Duty).
RMT Aquatics
14008 S.W. 140 St.
Miami, FL 33186
Phone: 800.577.4424
www.poollifts.com
Full-Sized Dishwasher That Fits Under ADA-Compliant Counters
The Equator, available through Dynamic Living, is a full-sized, 32-inch high dishwasher ideal for use in homes with accessible counters. It features easy-to-operate controls, silent operation, and a sleek contemporary design. The Equator is available in white, black or stainless steel. It features six wash cycles and uses only 4.5 gallons of water—sprayed in five directions by three levels of spraying arms— in its Normal setting. The upper and lower racks are adjustable, with collapsible tines and moveable supports, allowing for greater loading flexibility. The legs are adjustable, from 32 to 34 inches, to ensure perfect counter alignment and leveling.
Dynamic Living Inc.
428 Hayden Station Road
Windsor, CT 06095-1302
Phone: 888.940.0605
www.dynamic-living.com
Low Vision Thermostats
Dynamic Living offers two thermostat models for gas, oil or electric heating systems specifically designed for people with decreased vision, blindness or limited hand strength.
The simple-to-install Digital Thermostat by Lux features ½ -inch high bold numbers to display Fahrenheit or Celsius readings and four large buttons for easy operation. It maintains highly accurate temperature control, requires two AA batteries and will replace most round, square or rectangular thermostats.
Honeywell’s Easy-to-See™ Thermostat—with its high-contrast, low-glare design—features ½ - inch, raised black numbers identifying the 50, 60, 70 and 80 degree F points for easy recognition by sight or touch. Users will hear an audible click and feel an indent every two degrees, with deeper indents at the 10 degree increment marks. Both are available in white.