The manipulatory disabled are people with impaired function in one or both hands or arms.

A) SOME BASIC CHARACTERISTICS

:: The manipulatory disabled can be people with nerve injuries, arthritis or amputation.

:: They may suffer from stability problems.

:: People with manipulatory disabilities have difficulty holding and/or moving objects because of problems associated with their arms and/or hands. They may find it difficult to hold books or papers and turn pages.

:: Providing information for this audience should include electronic and/or analogic formats through the Internet, CD-ROMs, tape, DVD/video and/or radio.

B) ACCESSIBLE ENVIRONMENTS FOR THE MANIPULATORY DISABLED

:: The manipulatory disabled have difficulties:

:: if there are heavy doors.

:: with handles and door knobs if they are not appropriately shaped or placed (they should never be round!).

:: with small switches and controls, so automatic controls are desirable wherever possible.

:: to reach and/or manipulate objects that are higher than 1.40m approximately (their upper area of reach is more or less the same as the low to middle range of a standing person's).

:: if floors, ramps and pavements are not kept in perfect conditions: free of obstacles, levelled, non-skidding and dry, as they may have problems of stability.

:: if steps and stairs do not fulfil the minimum requirements of accessibility: they have round or oval double handrails, positioned on both sides and separated, at least, 0.04m from the wall. Steps and stairs should not have open risers or protruding nosings.