I have often noticed, with dismay, frustration, curiosity, and exasperation, that the world is not designed for people with sitting disabilities. But that observation leads to a question: What would a world designed for sitting disabilities actually look like?
I often daydream about this, and come up with ideas ranging from practical to ridiculous. Here are a few of my favorites.
In Public Places
Reclinable gurneys
Many people with sitting disabilities can make do with zero-gravity chairs, or comfortable recliners. Alas, I am not one of them. Flat is best for me, so even well-designed recliners cause an uncomfortable bend in my spine. However, I would love to have something like a reclinable gurney, or a comfortable version of an inversion table.
I would love to see movie theaters install these, especially if they came with cupholders and place for popcorn.
Padded benches and couches
Everyone needs a good lie-down now and then, and this is especially true if you can’t sit down to rest. Having properly long and wide benches in public areas would be such a relief.
This idea is not crazy, but I doubt I can whip up enthusiasm among city planners. In New York City, the metropolitan area I’m most familiar with, the objective when designing public spaces is: Let’s prevent homeless people from camping out here. Unfortunately, the only way to do this is by designing spaces to be unpleasant for human beings. Comfy, cushy couches will not be installed anytime soon.
High tables and bars
Are people still doing dining room tables? Why, yes. It seems they are. I have nothing against standard-size tables – they make great shelves – but when I want to eat with other people, I like to look them in the eye. A high table or bar is a great way to bring everyone up to my level.
In the Car
Inclined driver’s seat
Not being able to drive is one of the most vexing aspects of a sitting disability. All of a sudden, I’m 13 again, and have to beg rides to get anywhere. But I’m still expected to do adult things, like go to work and visit the post office.
The truly irritating thing is that giving up driving is only necessary because cars are designed to make people sit. There is no intrinsic reason why this has to be the case. I’d love to have a driver’s seat that was flat, but sloped so that I could still see out the window, and reach the steering wheel and pedals.
Bed in the back seat
If you happen to have an RV and someone to drive it, you’re set. However, there are times when an RV might not be practical or appropriate. When I drive (really: am driven) to a place, I like to make sure I fit into a parking space.
You are probably not going to fit a bed in the backseat of a VW Beetle, but I’m sure you could make it work for an SUV or large car. (Provided you’re short enough to be excluded from the NBA.)
Public Transportation
Hooks and harnesses
I know I’m getting tired when I start fantasizing about installing a series of hooks attached to ropes on the ceiling of my house. The way I envision it, these would clamp onto a rock-climbing harness I’d wear, so I could suspend myself from the ceiling. That way, I could take the pressure off my feet while staying in a standing position.
A suspect this system could also make plane, train, and subway travel way more fun.
At Home
More shelves
Yes, I can reach the floor. But that I doesn’t mean I want to. If I need to pick up a dropped sock or a candy wrapper, I have to awkwardly squat or lunge in that direction. Although I practice spine hygiene, I can’t make it look graceful. I prefer to keep things above floor level when I can help it, and fortunately, there is a perfectly suitable solution: shelves.
Little stools and kneelers
I assure you that my leg muscles can outlast yours. My veins and tendons, however, are another matter. To give my ankles a break, I alternate between standing and kneeling.
But in order to kneel, I need something to kneel on. Chairs and stools do nicely. And if there happened to be a custom-designed kneeler, with nice foam padding, I wouldn’t say no.
Massage chairs with laptop stands
This idea has one thing going for it: massage chairs already exist, and they are for sale. I do not know how to design a comfortable laptop stand to go with it, but I strongly suspect it’s possible.
I usually work – and I always sleep – while lying on my back. It would be nice to have an alternative. Lying on my stomach is perfectly comfortable, except that I have to keep my neck bent to one direction, which limits the amount of time I can stay that way.
A massage chair would fix this problem. But if I’m not getting a massage, then there’s very little to do while I’m hanging out there. If I had a suitably positioned laptop stand, I could get something done. Or at least, check Facebook.
Velcro jumpsuit and walls
When I was at my most sleep deprived, I had elaborate fantasies about installing a Velcro wall in my apartment, and making a Velcro jumpsuit to go with it. That way, I’d even be able to sleep on my feet. Needless to say, I never thought about how I would pry myself off the wall.
At that time, I didn’t have the mental capacity to figure out a good way to do this. And once I was able to sleep in a normal position again, a Velcro wall hardly seemed necessary. But I still think a Velcro wall would be fun at parties, or when I’m bored.
Photo courtesy of Brian Suda via Flickr.
What brilliant design ideas have you come up with? Let me know in the comments!
