Abstract Draft

Here is a start to my abstract, not quite done but on it's way.

Almost every day, someone becomes disabled. It is a life changing event that requires modifications to a lifestyle, including how to function around the home. Being put in a wheelchair is one of the largest changes of lifestyle one can face. This requires major renovations to the home including adding ramps, widening doorways, and bathroom modifications. A question that arises is,

"How do you renovate a home to become wheelchair accessible?"

When one is placed in a wheelchair, mobility becomes one of the biggest issues. From getting out of bed in the morning, to making breakfast, to using the bathroom fixtures and entering and exiting the house becomes more difficult.

The research will use an existing house in t he downtown Kamloops area that will potentially one day become wheelchair accessible,a nd plan the renovations from initial layout, to becoming certified accessible. The research will be conducted using Canadian guidelines from CMHC, the BC Building Code, academic resources and consulting withthe home owner and potentially future occupant to discuss structure changes, equipment purchases and site modifications. Costs and time estimates throughout the projects will be predicted as to which solution is best for the home owner. The challenge to this research will be to transform the home so bothe the disabled and fully mobile persons function cohesivly as welll as productivley.


Any suggestion is a good suggestion!