Workspace for disabled people

The paper aims at determining the workspace for disabled young people. The investigation embraced a group of young people with motor dysfunction of lower extremities. Seventeen measurements were taken of 32 boys and 45 girls aged 15-18. There are significant differences in functional dimensions of the arm between the healthy and the disabled populations. The differences clearly indicate that there is a need for different shaping of space in which people of limited motor efficiency must function. A method based on Das and Grady's concept was used in determining workspace. This method was modified by the author. The method allows determination of workspace by means of several simple anthropometric measurements. Workspace for young people investigated was determined for the sitting position in transverse and sagittal planes. The results of the investigation constitute data for design and estimation of workplaces for disabled young people with motor dysfunction of lower extremities. The results can also be used to determine functional space in classrooms, school workshops, educational and rehabilitation centres.