[TheForge] Re: Kids and Wheelchairs

[Saint Phlip]

OK, guys, I like the ideas I'm getting. I'm not _quite_ as concerned
about the kids as I am the adults- kids are pretty flexible, and could
stand on something if necessary. And, with the kids I've taught,
they've all managed to use the big anvil, although not always easily.

But, I _HAD_ considered the joys of hot steel in your lap, and my
solution is a hide I have that I have been intending to turn into an
apron anyway. I figure wheelchair folks have enough difficulties that
dealing with burns under their clothing doesn't need to be added to
them. And, obviously, part of my job is to watch them as carefully as
I do the kids, or any other newbie in a forge.

Also, I don't think changing everything so they figure out how to do
it best is particularly necessary. One of the things I work with, with
ALL my students when they're tangling themselves up in their tools, is
to make them work through exactly how they're going to do whatever
they're trying to do _before_ they're juggling hot metal as well. I do
that myself as part of working out how to accomplish an unusual
project- it's a natural part of smithing that everyone needs to work
out, regardless of age or disability.

And, one thing I'm trying to avoid is having an adjustable anvil
stand, because of the instability, no matter how mild, people have
mentioned. People in chairs are going to be less stable, and less able
to correct their stability, than either kids or ABs. My feeling is
that I need to guarantee them a reasonably convenient, stable surface
that they can count on and work around- from there, they're a Hel of a
lot more used to working with their limitations and differing needs
than I am.

As far as Grover's comments about his brother who is the ADA
inspector, yes, I'd very much like to communicate with him. I tried at
one time to arrange something else for the convenience of disabled
friends, and got some manaical woman who was _insisting_ that
everything I did had to be accessible for handicapped people or I'd be
arrested and fined, despite the fact that I had explained that _I_ had
no requirements of that nature, but was trying to do this as a
courtesy for my friends. Obviously, the project never got
accomplished.

And, thanks, Mike- I'm on my way over to the database now.

On 11/9/06, Saint Phlip <phlip at 99main.com> wrote:
> OK, all, I  just got a piece of equipment that will help me set up one
> of my dreams- a station that is height accessible for kids and folks
> in wheelchairs. A couple days ago, a friend gave me the cutest little
> leg vise, I've got a spare small anvil, so all I need now is a stump.
> Problem is, I need to figure what height I want the stump. So, I need
> a favor...
>
> As many of you know, the "proper" height for the face of an anvil is
> the distance from the ground to the knuckles while standing, the
> reason being that that is the place where you can deliver your most
> efficient stroke. However, that doesn't apply to folks in wheelchairs-
> leaning over to hit your piece on an anvil at that height might risk
> dumping them out of the chair onto their faces- not a good thing ;-)
>
> So, those of you who are in chairs, please give me a height which
> would be a comfortable height for the face of an anvil. And, those of
> you with kids, please measure to your kids' knuckles that are big
> enough to work on an anvil, but not over 5 ft tall, and give me those
> heights. I realize that what I come up with will be a compromise, and
> therefor perfect for very few people, but if I can come up with an
> average, it ought to make smithing easier for our folks who aren't,
> like me, in the 6 foot range.
>
> Thanks,



-- 
Saint Phlip

Heat it up
Hit it hard
Repent as necessary.

Has anyone seen my temper?
I seem to have misplaced it at Stalag XXXV....