Julie Sawchuck: Accessibility Strategist & Best Selling Author of Build Your Space, Building Better Bathrooms, & Roadmap to Recovery

After sustaining a spinal cord injury, Julie became aware of the everyday challenges of living in a world not built with accessibility in mind, and so began her journey as an accessibility strategist. 

Julie Sawchuk B.Sc., B.Ed., RHFAC Author of Build Your Space, Building Better Bathrooms, & Roadmap to Recovery

• https://www.juliesawchuk.ca/
• julie@juliesawchuk.ca
• 519-525-5310

Spotlight on Accessibility Professionals Association (APA) is a group of trained professionals dedicated to accessibility in all aspects of the commercial built environment. According to state and national ADA Standards, APA members make sure that new and remodel commercial construction is in compliance. From plan reviews to final inspection, they ensure that the physical experience is accessible for persons with disabilities in the built environment. 

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Questions Asked

• I am installing a 60"X32" ADA shower with entrance level with floor, and rear trench drain. Because the shower pan  is level with floor entrance, it has to sink 2" below the floor.How do most contractors reinforce the floor joists below? Trying to avoid requiring a structural engineer, which costs $4-5 Thousand. More floor joists, or footers with a heavy crossbeam?   John Hinkle Financial Services
• I love that you are looking at physical accessibility! Do you bring in other consultants to look at sensory access?
• there are guidelines, but just like physical accessibility--accessibility and useability are different things.
• My plumber installed an angled/slanted grab bar in the shower.  It seems to make sense but wonder what you think
• If I am not in a wheelchair, what is the best bathtub arrangement for me and others who are younger?
• You brought up so many important design concepts. Do any of your books include this information or will you be writing a book as it would be very helpful for those designing accessible homes.
• Do you do work with dementia and cognitive disability re environmental changes?
• There are toilet paper holders that are grab bar strong.

Chat Transcript

12:08:34     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Accessibility Professionals Association (APA) is a group of trained professionals dedicated to accessibility in all aspects of the commercial built environment. According to state and national ADA Standards, APA members make sure that new and remodel commercial construction is in compliance. From plan reviews to final inspection, they ensure that the physical experience is accessible for persons with disabilities in the built environment. https://apa.clubexpress.com/

12:09:39     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Save the date! Julie is the Keynote!!!

2024 APA National Conference

• Wednesday - Friday
• January 24 - 26, 2024
• Austin, TX
• https://apa.clubexpress.com/

12:12:10     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : MEET JULIE SAWCHUK https://www.juliesawchuk.ca/

12:13:51     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : John Hinkle 12:08 PM 

I am installing a 60"X32" ADA shower with entrance level with floor, and rear trench drain. Because the shower pan  is level with floor entrance, it has to sink 2" below the floor.How do most contractors reinforce the floor joists below? Trying to avoid requiring a structural engineer, which costs $4-5 Thousand. More floor joists, or footers with a heavy crossbeam?   John Hinkle Financial Services

12:13:57     From  Gene Boecker : Please join us in January!

As I've heard many times before, "not all of us have a disability.. yet. But we all will be someday, should we live that long."

Gene Boecker

GeneB@CodeConsultants.com

12:15:25     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Here is the link to Julies books on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07NZJGWQJ

12:15:54     From  Angela Shapiro   to   Hosts and panelists : Yes, please join us in January to see Julie Live!  We are very excited to have her as our keynote speaker.

12:15:57     From  Louis Tenenbaum : John,  I would ask a few questions and maybe see plan views, and photos before providing an answer. The generic word in carpentry is to ‘sister the joists’.

12:16:09     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : From Angela Shapiro to All Panelists 12:15 PM

Yes, please join us in January to see Julie Live!  We are very excited to have her as our keynote speaker.

12:16:14     From  Louis Tenenbaum : Louis@homesrenewedventures.com

12:16:20     From  Angela Shapiro   to   Hosts and panelists : Please reach out if you have any questions.  Angela Shapiro - angela@access-lp.com

12:18:22     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : From Angela Shapiro to All Panelists 12:16 PM

Please reach out if you have any questions.  Angela Shapiro - angela@access-lp.com

12:18:59     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Follow Julie on LinkedIn to see her amazing videos https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliesawchuk/

12:19:50     From  Cybele Wu   to   Hosts and panelists : Thank you so much for this discussion. I have been interested in this topic for a long time. I was my dad's caregiver for 10 years. I did a UX mobility project for a bootcamp on mobility equipment education. I am currently unemployed and am looking for my next chapter but would love to get involved in this area, even on a volunteer basis. Here is my Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cybelewu/

12:21:47     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : From Cybele Wu to All Panelists 12:19 PM

Thank you so much for this discussion. I have been interested in this topic for a long time. I was my dad's caregiver for 10 years. I did a UX mobility project for a bootcamp on mobility equipment education. I am currently unemployed and am looking for my next chapter but would love to get involved in this area, even on a volunteer basis. Here is my Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cybelewu/

12:27:48     From  Carolyn Grafton   to   Hosts and panelists : Why is it that handicapped toilet rooms have been removing hooks?  No place to hang a purse.

12:28:40     From  Louis Tenenbaum : Really great way of describing accessibility…using energy well!

12:30:00     From  Dr. Shanelle James : Great analogy with the chair and this holistic perspective is so helpful to a PT who sees both ends of the spectrum and doesn’t know the specifics of intricacies of accessibility moving throughout your home

12:31:04     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Build YOUR Space: How to create an accessible home for you, your family and your future https://a.co/d/2x0jnCb

12:31:29     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Building Better Bathrooms: Connecting real stories with the details you need for truly accessible results https://a.co/d/hpZviKy

12:34:02     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Homes that Make Life Easier & Support Aging in Place with Rosemarie Rossetti, Ph.D. https://www.retirementlivingsourcebook.com/videos/special-event-homes-that-make-life-easier-support-aging-in-place-with-rosemarie-rossetti-ph-d

12:34:32     From  Tracee Garner : No

12:34:35     From  Karen Reever : Yes

12:34:35     From  John Grguric : nope

12:34:38     From  Carolyn Grafton   to   Hosts and panelists : Yes

12:34:39     From  Martha Cooper   to   Hosts and panelists : yes

12:34:39     From  Gene Boecker : yes

12:34:40     From  Cybele Wu   to   Hosts and panelists : Just with my dad

12:34:41     From  Steve Lippy : yes

12:34:41     From  Steve Ney   to   Hosts and panelists : Yes. Inshower

12:34:46     From  Karen Latimer : yes, daily!

12:34:47     From  A Slack : no

12:34:49     From  Kathleen Allen   to   Hosts and panelists : No

12:34:50     From  Melissa Bressler : Yes

12:34:51     From  Kaitlin Abernathy   to   Hosts and panelists : Yes just in the hospital after delivery!

12:34:53     From  Angela Shapiro : yes

12:34:55     From  Dr. Shanelle James : Yes

12:34:56     From  Cybele Wu : just with my da

12:35:03     From  John Grguric : Why isn't there one behind the toilet? ?

12:35:11     From  Virginia Falconer : often awkwardly placed

12:35:18     From  Tracee Garner : But love the kind of pocket” doors for stuff I need. I do know they often are not long enough from toilet to chair

12:35:51     From  Brenda Jones : yes

12:36:10     From  Danielle Beauchamp : Thank you so much.  My husband has had to go to skilled nursing (many reasons) and I am struggling with getting into doctors' offices and restaurant bathrooms etc.  And your milking stool is so clear--I have been focusing more on safety and independence but I think I've been short-changing dignity.  So hard.  And even well-intentioned people don't "see" the challenges. We both need that infusion of energy.  Thank you, thank you!

12:38:27     From  Louis Tenenbaum : I think no one commonly uses the bar behind the toilet. It is a ‘regulation’ whose purpose is confounding.  Compromise in rules making rather than a value?

12:40:12     From  A Slack : simple human makes excellent soap dispensers

12:40:53     From  Alice FISHER : I just got grab bars that were suction cups, so I could move them around

12:41:42     From  Karen Latimer : @Alice Fisher, be careful.  They are not always the most secure options and can easily fall.

12:42:03     From  Carolyn Grafton   to   Hosts and panelists : Be careful with the suction grab bar. It could pull off.

12:42:17     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : From Carolyn Grafton to All Panelists 12:42 PM

Be careful with the suction grab bar. It could pull off.

12:42:43     From  deborah Rozell   to   Hosts and panelists : suction cup grab bars I agree are a definite NO

12:42:51     From  Ali Soltsni   to   Hosts and panelists : Through them in trash please.

12:43:20     From  Ali Soltsni   to   Hosts and panelists : Handypro will do it

12:43:26     From  Ali Soltsni   to   Hosts and panelists : I can answer

12:43:31     From  deborah Rozell   to   Hosts and panelists : Do you use a shower wheelchair in the bathroom when planning to shower?

12:43:40     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : From Ali Soltsni to All Panelists 12:43 PM

Through them in trash please.

Handypro will do it

I can answer

12:45:38     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Virginia Falconer 12:45 PM 

If I am not in a wheelchair, what is the best bathtub arrangement for me and others who are younger?

12:45:39     From  Tracee Garner : Most people don’t know how wonderful it is to be able to wash your hands and how gross it is NOT to be able to after shopping or using the restroom if you can. Hot water and REAL SOAP over your hands is sooo underrated!!!

12:49:44     From  Louis Tenenbaum : With 30+ years of experience in providing accessibility design, consulting and construction, this is the clearest and most down to earth discussion I have EVER heard.  Thanks, Steve and Julie

12:50:01     From  Karen Latimer : ☝️

12:54:38     From  deborah Rozell   to   Hosts and panelists :                                                                                                                                                                                                         Agreed!!

12:55:14     From  Gene Boecker : ????????

12:55:19     From  Martha Cooper   to   Hosts and panelists : What about lighting and switches.  And thanks a million.

12:55:41     From  Angela Shapiro : Your Instagram in fabulous, such great videos.  Thank you for sharing your life and experiences.

12:55:53     From  Judy Zdobysz : I joined late :(.  Where do you live and would love to connect.  I work in a rehab hospital and would love to connect. THANKS

12:56:02     From  Ruth DeHart   to   Hosts and panelists : You are such an inspiration.  I work with visually impaired persons. Ruth

12:56:15     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Julie Sawchuk on facebook https://www.facebook.com/julie.sawchuk.3

12:56:16     From  John Grguric : LOVE THE TOILET TUESDAYS...….

12:57:29     From  Louis Tenenbaum : The best value for a grab bar is prevention. Close the barn door BEFORE the horse is out.

12:57:35     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : https://healthcraftproducts.com/

12:58:28     From  Kathleen Allen   to   Hosts and panelists : This was awesome. Thank you Steve and Julie.

12:58:57     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : From Martha Cooper to All Panelists 12:55 PM

What about lighting and switches.  And thanks a million.

12:59:05     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Tom DeMuth 12:57 PM 

You brought up so many important design concepts. Do any of your books include this information or will you be writing a book as it would be very helpful for those designing accessible homes.

12:59:29     From  Carolyn Grafton   to   Hosts and panelists : Why is it that handicapped public toilets seem to be removing their hooks

12:59:42     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Amazon https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07NZJGWQJ

12:59:50     From  Jessica Hardiman : This was great! Thank you!

13:00:00     From  Melissa Bressler : Judy Zdobysz, HandyPrp of Washington DC is a home modification company in your area. We can connect, Melissa@handypro.com or 301-960-1060

13:00:03     From  Susana Molinolo : Luv you’re LinkedIn, Julie! Thank you for this outstanding accessibility bootcamp. So grateful to be here. Thank you, thank you!!

13:00:09     From  Steve Ney   to   Hosts and panelists : Very helpful!

13:00:19     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Julie Sawchuk

CEO & RHFAC Professional

Sawchuk Accessible Solutions

julie@juliesawchuk.ca

5195255310

juliesawchuk.ca

13:00:26     From  Arlene Williams : Thank you so much

13:00:27     From  John Grguric : THANK YOU !

13:00:32     From  Susana Molinolo : Thanks Steve!

13:00:33     From  Melissa Bressler : Thank you so much Julie!

13:00:38     From  amy marchant   to   Hosts and panelists : Thank you so much!!

13:00:39     From  Judy Zdobysz : THANKS THANKS THANKS

13:00:41     From  Cybele Wu : thank you. this was awesome!

13:00:46     From  Angela Shapiro : Thank you so much and myself and the APA look forward to meeting you in January!