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Some disabilities cause problems at work which
do not have an obvious solution. Listed below are some of these
problems and on the solutions page is the way in which we have
solved that problem in the past. The list is potentially endless
and if you have an unanswered problem, please contact us.
Conversely if you have solved a problem and would like to share it,
please keep us informed.
Cannot sit comfortably or for long, but can
stand
Some conditions make it uncomfortable to
maintain a position for even relatively short periods, in which
case variety is the solution.
Cannot sit upright to work, but comfortable
reclining
When in a reclined position, most of your
weight is being transferred to the backrest and arms rather than
the spine and buttocks and it is possible to work in this
position.
Cannot bend knee/hip
This usually means that you have to perch on
the front of the seat, away from the backrest, in order to rest
your foot on the floor. Alternatively, you sit back onto the
backrest with your foot elevated, which sometimes make it difficult
to get close to the desk.
Short legs
If you are unable to support you feet
correctly, there is extra pressure on the back of your thighs,
which may cause numbness and pain. If working at a long or shaped
desk, moving from PC area to writing/reading area can be difficult
and you may need a number of footrests, which is not the best
solution. Your chair seat may also be too long, preventing you from
using the backrest effectively.
Short trunk
This often means that the chair armrests are
too high to use effectively without elevating the shoulders.
Armrests may also be too long, preventing you from getting close to
desk, causing you to lean forward, perch on the seat edge or work
too low with the armrests under the desk.
Very tall
Ideally, you should have an open angle of 100
– 110 degrees between the top of your thighs and trunk. Tall
people are often unable to adopt this position as the underside of
the desk hits their legs and stops them from raising the chair high
enough. Consequently they work too low and 'hunch' over the desk
with their knees almost under their chin.
Unusually shaped spine
A flat backrest can be most uncomfortable for a
person with this sort of problem as their weight is taken on a
small area, the result being that the backrest is not used and they
either 'slump' in the chair or work unsupported.
Coccyx pain
The back of the seat in many office chairs has
a slight raise, exerting pressure on the painful area.
Touch sensitive spine
Some conditions make the spine particularly
sensitive to pressure, making it uncomfortable to use a
conventional backrest, exacerbated even more if the backrest has a
lumbar pad.
Pressure sensitive seat
Loss of fleshy padding under the 'sitting
bones' can cause discomfort as the weight is being distributed over
a small area and Sciatic pain can be aggravated by pressure.
Need to keep feet elevated
It is not a good idea to work at a desk with
your feet elevated as if it is combined with leaning forward, there
may be a reduction in the bloodflow through the artery in your
groin.
The above information covers only the most
common causes and is far from a complete reference. If you would
like further advice or information please contact us.
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