How This All Started

Village Lane Furniture was born as a hobby and grew into a mission based business.  The craft of furniture making was relaxing and therapeutic, but always had a pragmatic view.  There just didn’t seem to be much sense in making things that nobody would use.  So, when my daughter had her first child it seemed only reasonable for Grandpa to make a crib and changing table.

Shortly after building furniture for my daughter, a young lady I work with was seriously injured in an attempted carjacking.  She had recently learned that she was expecting her first child.  Research by her family and friends found that nursery furniture compatible with her situation was not to be found, and I was asked if I could build something.

My own research found only stories of how others had modified standard furniture.  These modifications seem awkward, inconvenient and, at times, dangerous.  I found examples of cribs with the legs cut down, folding tables as changing tables and sides that swung out like doors.  Each of these solutions had their own problems.  There had to be a way to allow the wheeled parent access without putting the infant in a precarious position.

After reading as much information as I could get from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and Americans with Disabilities, I started laying out the requirements.  The furniture had to be high enough to allow the parent to roll under it and get as close a possible.  The side of the crib had to open in such a way as to provide full access, and it must not force the parent to move away from the crib as it opened.  Additionally, the furniture could not require more space than standard furniture because simply being in a wheelchair did not mean that there was more room available.  There were a variety of other issues that required attention as well and each was considered.

The result is a raised crib with a bi-fold side and a lowered changing table with sufficient clearance for a standard wheelchair.  The goal was to make something attractive, functional and safe.  And, I am confident enough in this furniture to have my own grandson use it whenever he’s at my home.

The mission of Village Lane Furniture is to provide quality hand made furniture that is compatible with wheelchair users.