Certified Environmental Access Consultant
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 those who are aging-in-place. 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 solutions, universal design, barrier-free design, architectural access, assistive technology, accessibility, retrofitting, accessible home modifications and medical remodeling.
In the U.S., the physically challenged population is a rapidly growing segment already estimated at greater than 49 million. Recent advances in medical technology have enhanced the life quality of catastrophically injured and seriously ill individuals. People are also living longer, and in terms of accessibility, the physically challenged population now includes the elderly, who add significantly to the number of persons depending on specialists in accessible home modifications and independent living solutions to address aging-in-place. Current figures indicate the fastest growing segment of the population is persons over the age of 80.
The Certified Environmental Access Consultant (C.E.A.C.) is a recognized certification for professionals such as: Independent Living Specialists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Remodeling Contractors and Builders, Interior Designers, Engineers, Rehabilitation Specialists, Case Managers, Public Health Nurses, Assistive Technology Specialists, Life Care Planners and other professionals creating accessibility or working in the environmental access field.
Shown below are some factors the CEAC will integrate into a plan to improve accessibility.
Universal Design
Universal Design is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. Universal Design is used to help people age in place.
Barriers
Rooms, entrances and environments that are designed to minimize or eliminate barriers like steps, large steep grades or slopes, thresholds greater than 1/2”, and narrow, cluttered or restrictive passages.
Accessible Design
Accessible Design complies with regulations or criteria that establish a minimum level of design necessary to accommodate persons with disabilities.
Examples of Accessible Design:
- 32” wide doorways
- ½” and ¼” thresholds
- Roll-in showers
- Ramps
- Grab bars
Adaptable Design
Adaptability is a design concept developed to address problems of individual differences and changes in capability over time.
Examples of Adaptable Design:
- Thermostat and light switches can be reached by child, person in wheelchair, or ambulatory adult.
- An inside or outside stair lift can be installed on a temporary basis.
Visitability
Visitability is a minimum level of accessibility that will allow a person using a wheelchair basic access to the ground floor of a home.