Most of us have a space we spend a lot of time in, for some it might be their bed, others their favourite chair, others a desk. What all of these places have in common is the way we personalise those spaces and build a ‘cockpit’ around ourselves. The idea isn’t a new one either. For people who work, either at home or in an office environment, it could be called a personal workspace which is tailored to your individual needs.
As disabled people the contents may be different than for abled bodied people and we may have more than one depending on how our day is going and what tasks we need to get done. For those of us with mobility problems these spaces are crucial to our wellbeing in that they contain much of our daily lives. Having a well formed cockpit will allow you to save energy by having everything within arms reach, no more searching for the things you need, and with a little planning we can make them an amazing space.
Forming a cockpit
The contents of a cockpit are entirely subjective as everyone has different needs. Look at what’s on your bedside table, or beside your favourite spot on the sofa, and you will find an assortment of items you use constantly and that have ended up there organically. You may have a lip balm, tissues, medications, a notebook and pen, phone chargers, the list goes on. Having all of these things together, within easy reach, makes life easier but it can also get out of hand quite quickly if not kept tidy. For some of us the reality is that it becomes a dumping ground and then we can’t find the things we really need.
You could spend some time and plan your cockpit ahead, or simply organise that space better now that it already exists, either way you should have a little fun with it and really make it yours.
How do I make my cockpit functional and keep it that way?
One way to keep everything organised is buying a specific storage space for that area. It could be a rolling cart by your favourite armchair or a set of plastic drawers, or even a bookcase, what it is isn’t important as long as you have something. Then add boxes or baskets to keep like with like. For example a box for medication, one to keep lip balm and hand cream in, maybe another has notebooks and pens. They don’t need to have lids as long as they function for you, keep in mind how easy they are to access with your specific disability. For those who suffer with ‘out of sight, out of mind’, also defined as a problem with object permanence, perhaps opt for clear boxes where you can see the contents inside or clear, large type, labelling.
Make it your space
In the world of disability we often lose the personality of those spaces in order to make them more functional for our daily needs. Making our cockpits more personal is a way of taking back some of that sterile functionality and interjecting some life back into it. Love colour? Get rainbow stacking drawers! Stickers? Put them all over that space. Paint furniture items your favourite colours or add a bit of bling, colour theory can also come into play here with warm colours being comforting and cool colours more calming in their effects.
Bringing in your hobbies is a wonderful way of making that cockpit yours. Knit a blanket for when you get chilly, or make some diamond painting coasters, using your creativity can really change a space either for you or someone else.
How to make a space for somebody else
In an ideal world we get to create our own spaces but unfortunately that’s not always possible. It may be that you need to create a space for an elderly relative or have someone help you make your space due to physical impairment. The most important thing here is to consider the person’s needs and involve them in the process. Ask what would make the perfect space for them, find out what items are essential and what aren’t, consider their mobility and eyesight. If the person needs to eat meals in this space is there room for a small table or tray or perhaps they need hot water, or cold, flasks to make their own drinks when getting up is difficult?
Another important thing to remember are the power requirements of the person’s needs. Do they need a fan or a phone charger? Do they have medical equipment that requires a power source? You could build an amazing space but if there’s no power it could be a game changer for some.
It is important to consider the power consumption of each of the devices to ensure that extension leads, or cables, are not overloaded which can easily trip a circuit breaker, as well as be a fire hazard.
Other things to consider
The more you consider what to add the longer the list will get but it does help to get ideas from elsewhere. Below I’ve listed just some of the things you should consider when building a cockpit from scratch and this list is by no means a comprehensive one. For some it’s only a short term space, recovering from surgery for example, but for a lot of disabled people it’s the centre of their world.
- Lighting should be white, not yellow, with easy to access switches. Whilst yellow lights can be softer a white light will enable the person to see colours more clearly. This is important if the person likes to be creative in their space. If yellow lights are used then opt for a brighter bulb.
- If the person uses a screen, either a desktop PC or laptop, it may be wise to follow Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations in setting up their space. I’ve added a link to this at the bottom of this post.
- Windows are fantastic for natural light but should have blinds or curtains for evenings or bright daylight. Remote controlled, or home assistance such as Alexa or Google home hub, blinds are a bonus if you can afford them.
- Flooring. If the flooring is laminate ensure that it isn’t slippery and, if so, consider adding a non slip rug under the entire area. If the area is carpeted ensure there are no holes or loose edges.
- Trip hazards. Ensure all wires etc are well tucked away to minimise the risk of falls. Avoid having small rugs, or the edges of large rugs, in the area to avoid tripping.
- Add a way to hold a mobility aid, for example a walking stick holder, when not in use.
- Ease of use. Ensure the person can open closed boxes on their own. Try to keep everything within arms reach to avoid overextending.
- Access. There should be clear and easy access to this space without having to navigate furniture etc. Take into consideration if the person needs the use of a wheelchair or walker and ensure there is plenty of space to manoeuvre. This is also important should there be a need for an ambulance crew to reach the person.
- Get a grabber tool. These are amazingly underrated and really help when having to pick things up from the floor or lower shelves. CAUTION: Never use them for picking up hot liquids as this could be dangerous.
- Seating should be suitable for the amount of time spent in it. It should be supportive, comfortable, and easy to get in, and out, of. It should also be able to accommodate any aids, should they be needed, such as lumber supports or pressure cushions. If foot supports are needed they should be non-slip but easy to move when the person needs to stand.
- If the person is not to be responsible for handling their medication do not leave it in their cockpit. Ideally this should be placed in a locked cabinet and the keys kept by those responsible for administering them.
Health and Safety guidance for working with screens:
https://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/dse/
Free advice about adapting your home to your needs.
https://livingmadeeasy.org.uk/
Graphics via:
