An investigation into the quality and usefulness of school furniture for handicapped children

Abstract

The aims of this project were to assess the quality and usability of school furniture for physically handicapped children and to draw up guidelines for buyers. The project consisted of a laboratory investigation of the stability, strength, sturdiness and durability of the furniture; in combination with user trials concerning safety, ease of use, operation by adults, use with aids and accessories and transport. The general conclusions are that while adjustability can provide more comfort for the handicapped users (the supervisor has to know how to adjust the furniture correctly) it can also create more unsafe situations. Over the past few years there has been a growing interest in the requirements of children with specific disabilities and in the market for furniture for handicapped school children in The Netherlands.