Aztec brings wheelchairs into office.

As part of its on-going training program and commitment to invest in its employees and the company, The Aztec Corporation recently gave its staff a glimpse into what it is like to be confined to a wheelchair and perform the everyday functions of working in an office building.

Dorothy Zarnik, a principal at Aztec, who is responsible for spearheading this specific training event as one of the Company's weekly, formal training programs, recently brought in 20 manual wheelchairs to the office for employees to experience being wheelchair-bound for the day.

This program was devised to get employees to understand the needs of handicapped individuals and apply that lesson to space design.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), design requirements can range from the height of paper towel and soap dispensers in a restroom, to Braille signage and doorway and ramp measurements.

"The entire activity was eye-opening," said Ms. Zarnik. "Most designers get frustrated when trying to meet design requirements under ADA, and this experience made us realize that unless your daily life requires you to be in a wheelchair, you cannot truly understand the significance of ADA designs. I know this has made us all much more sensitive to the needs of handicapped individuals in the workplace."

Scott Marchio, a facility analyst at Aztec spent the entire day in a wheelchair and even traveled across a busy New Jersey street to grab lunch.

"It obviously took me a while longer to get out of the office building, across the highway and back inside. It was difficult getting down designated ramps and even through our office doorway," he commented.

"This was a heart-felt lesson and will make all of us at Aztec more mindful in the design process."

"In the end, this experience has truly prompted our staff to do more than just the minimum that the ADA requires when designing space and facilities," Ms. Zarnik added.

The Aztec Corporation, along with Aztec Architects, P.C., celebrating its eleventh year as an industry leader and pioneer, is one of the most innovative Facility Planning, Design and Consulting Companies in the industry.