Handicap accessible permanent? Can I get some suggestions please.

[epkirkman]

A few years ago my brother in law was involved in a serious accident that has left him with no use of his legs and very limited use of his hands. He loves to fish, he bought a three man Frabil with the hopes of going but to be honest, I don't see how this is going to work out. He can't look down and even with a camera in his lap someone would have to help him and I don't think there would be enough room.

I remember seeing a post on here last year about a guy who took his handicapped son fishing (I think someone burnt his shack down) Anyway, I have been thinking of building a permanent for a few years anyway and I would like to build one that is handicap accessible. If there is anyone here that could give me some advice on what not to do I would appreciate it. I was a Union Carpenter for several years, so building it is not the issue.

Do any of you know anyone that fishes with someone in a wheelchair and what kinds of things would you do to a permanent shack to improve it for someone in a wheelchair?

Thank you very much,

Ed

[Shack]

I honestly have no idea on how to build a handicap accessible shack. I never gave it much thought.

I have some good knowledge on how shacks are built and can figure out things at a drop of a hat (at least I like to think so).

First off, where would you like this shack to go (which lake)?

How big?

Sleeper or not?

Most of all the shacks I can think of, a wheel chair would be no concern being inside of shack. Now the ramp could be a different issue. Would you need a sag across the front of shack or a metal straight out forward ramp, that is removable.

Any more idea's are welcome!

[mshs1]

Great idea-- I am a social worker and work with people with disabilities-- have numerous resources call me at work

763 479 4538 Vinland Center--Duane Reynolds

[Ryan_V]

If he puts his mind to it, he'll be able to do it. I own a perm shack on mille lacs with 2 other guys. one of which is in a wheel chair. however, he has use of his hands. all he does is pull himself into the house, (his chair stays outside), and from there, pulls himself onto the futon and fishes 2 holes close to it. he had made himself a small chair that was about 2 or so inches of the ground on casters, but that didn't work out so well. the main thing for your bro in law, would be to configure an access for him, and a location for fishing in the house. close to whatever he may need. maybe have a corner designated for him. as far as not being able to look down very well, it would be very easy to mount mirrors at the level he would look and point them down to the hole. if you have any questions, e-mail me and I'll help as best I can. anytime anyone asks me how my friend can ice fish.......my response is the same...."anything you or I can do, he can do better." he goes deer/duck/goose/turkey hunting, has a boat and uses it. goes camping, mows his yard with a push mower, blows and shovels his own snow....... I'm proud this man is my friend, and can honestly say that few other people in this world have as much respect from me as he does!!! I'd also just say to have fun with him!! I have so much fun with my friend, I forget he's in a chair at all.

rverdeck at earthlink dot net

[epkirkman]

Thanks for the input guys. My thoughts were building on a V-Nose trailer and putting him towards the front. That way his chair is out of the way and I can set up a camera or two if need be for him so he does not need to see down the hole. Yes, I would like this to be a sleeper but I can do drop down bunks, so I wouldn't think that would be to big of an issue.

I live near the Iowa Great Lakes so we tend to fish there and many other small lakes around us. I am not sure about the ramp, I can build one that I can set on the ice or maybe make the back or the shack into a drop down ramp? I wasn't sure and I figured if anyone had any experience with this sort of thing, this would be the place to ask If all else fails we can just carry him in, he doesn't need his motorized chair in an ice shack. If it was up to him, he would have me throw him in the sled on my portable and drag him out, my mother in law is oppossed to that plan.

Anyway, thank you again for your input.

[Shack]

Quote:

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V-Nose trailer and putting him towards the front

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I thought this was a perm (by the title of this thread).

Thats does change things a bit.

I am still sure some good idea's will pop up.

[Gofishleech]

My son is in a wheel chair but he has full use of his arms and hands. The only real issue is getting in and out of the house. The door width needs to be wide enough obviously. And a portable ramp needs to be used. I think the rule of thumb is a foot of ramp for every inch of hieght, that is of cource for the user to use him or her self. If he or she has help a shorter ramp will work.

My son fishes allot, spears also and rides 4-wheeler and snowmobile to and from the fish house. He has been in the chair now for 2 years and is still adjusting to evry day life, I am glad I am able to help him do most of the things he wants to.

[looneyducer]

The vehicle travel on and off the ice is going to be more problematic than the house. Those accessible vans just don't cut it. I would consider something like a Zack Shack as a model. It's got a ramp at the back end and carries a four wheeler. You could get to the lake, unload the wheeler, hook the trailer to the wheeler, and load the fisherman into the trailer to go fishing.

I'd check into fish elevators as well.

[epkirkman]

Looney,

That is a good point and one we already considered. We can get him on the ice in a pick up w/o a problem. Those vans are so low to the ground that it would not even be an option.

I guess I am looking for lay-out suggestions for building the thing. And any things that you would lay out differently if you had a buddy in a wheelchair in your ice house?