Accessibiliyt focus of new construction firm

Chris Oberhansly knows firsthand what people who use wheelchairs need in their homes.

Oberhansly himself has used a wheelchair since he suffered a spinal cord injury while completing his degree in construction management at Southwest Missouri State University.

Oberhansly completed his degree in 1998. He then began to combine his experience with his education to form Access Builders, a company that specializes in modifying homes and businesses for people with disabilities.

"We do everything from simply installing a grip bar in the shower or a ramp in the back yard to remodeling a whole home to a customer's needs," Oberhansly said.

Though the company was incorporated nearly a year ago, in May of 1999, Oberhansly has been working hard on his own home since that time, and he has, in recent months, become focused on new projects.

"We spent all of last fall on this home. I use it as a showcase model for other people, as an example of what we can do," Oberhansly said.

The home is customized for Oberhansly. It has no steps or stairs of any kind. The hallways and doorways are wide enough to accomodate a wheelchair, and someone on foot who might also be passing through.

The custom bathroom, which Oberhansly said is the room he is most proud of, has a shower large enough for Oberhansly and the special shower chair he uses.

It also has a graded surface that allows water to drain, but there are no steps or other barriers around the shower.

The home has the features Oberhansly wants to show customers they can have and afford.

"A lot of times people assume that if it's something custom or special, it's going to be a lot more expensive, and people who are disabled, especially if they are newly injured, don't need to hear that something else is going to tax their pocketbook.

"I hope to be able to show them that you can do these things for not a great deal of money," he said.

Though so far the company's focus has been on homes, Oberhansly said commercial projects figure significantly into his new business, as well.

"I hope to make it a blend of commercial and residential construction. A lot of businesses are just concerned with meeting the (Americans with Disablities Act) requirements, but often that's not all they really need to do. I can see places where improvement is needed in the businesses I patronize, and those places want to be accessible for all customers," Oberhansly said.

Oberhansly said he recognizes that he is one of many, many construction companies in the Springfield area, but added that his niche, and his special knowledge, separate him from the rest.

"What makes us different is the fact that I can sit down with a person one on one, and if they're elderly or disabled, really take time to understand what they need. Often, I can relate. I know what they're going through," he said.

Though he is eager to take on another customized home project, Oberhansly said what also distinguishes his company is that it will take on small projects.

"Right now, there aren't many contractors willing to go in and simply install a grip bar for someone. If people need simple things done, that's a need we can fill," he said.

Oberhansly's role is one of a construction manager. He now has two part-time employees, and he plans to add more employees soon, he said.

"I oversee all the building on a given project. I work with architects and the rest of the contractors on a job," Oberhansly said.

Part of his responsibility, he said, is to acquaint himself with the government agencies and associations that have funds and resources available to people who have been injured.

"People may not know what help they qualify for. One of my personal objectives is to make them aware of where they can get help. I'm continuing to educate myself on what is available for them," Oberhansly said.

Oberhansly also sees his role as that of educating the public about what they may need in the future.

"People need to realize that they're going to age. And in this day and age, people are living a lot longer, and they may be spending those last few years with a greatly reduced ability to get around their own homes.

"People, especially people in new homes, need to realize that they may have different needs one day, and it's best to plan for them now," Oberhansly said.

The community of people with disabilities is growing, Oberhansly added.

"We're also consumers, and businesses need to realize that. Many of them already have, but others are still nearly impossible to navigate. Older, smaller businesses can make themselves accessible at little or no cost. They can look at it as an investment into something that will draw more customers in," he said.

For now, Oberhansly continues to show his home to interested parties, many of whom are overwhelmed at just how easy it is for a person in a wheelchair to navigate that home.

"I continue to invite people out here to show them that it can be done," Oberhansly said.