Design Ignites Change - Projects - Updating a Residence for Handicap Access

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Edgar Martinez was shot about six years ago by a student and is handicapped from the waist down. He has a wife and six year old daughter. His handicap has completely altered his ability to utilize and live in his home environment and interact with his family. They have very little financial means to update their home. Our project consists of redesigning and constructing critical elements in their home so he has access to those features that most people take for granted. Although there are many aspects of their home that need to be addressed including maintenance and repairs our project in its first stage includes updating basic environment needs for Edgar to properly use parts of his home.

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July 9, 2011

Current dining table, a new table needs to be designed so Edgar has access to eat at it with his family

Leaking window with bullet hole, window needs to be replaced

Current sofa and family room, sofa needs to be raised to allow access

The Martinez family

Current bathroom, requires ADA shower, raising the sink and moving plumbing fixtures

Our goals are to update several basic aspects of the Martinez home so he can more freely utilize simple services that most people do not even think about as being a daily challenge and to update furniture and access to basic home features so he is more capable of interacting with his family.

Our solution includes an ADA dining table so Edgar has access to it, adjusting the height of the sofa so he can sit in the family room, installing a remote access to the entry doors and replace the window with the bullet hole that is leaking. We also need to update the Bathroom so it is ADA compliant, including a new shower

Updating a Residence for Handicap Access

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago

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