Power Wheelchair Drive Controls, Part 1: Proportional vs. Non-Proportional Early on in my professional career, it dawned on me how similar learning to drive both an automatic and a manual transmission car was with the process of selecting the proper power mobility device, including the drive controls. In this series of posts, we are going to explore various technologies available in power wheelchair drive controls. In addition, we will take a look at examples of drive controls and review potential applications of each. 6/28/2019 Keep Reading
Tips for Selecting Prefabricated Wheelchair Backs There is a plethora of prefabricated (off-the-shelf) wheelchair back supports on the market today. As a clinician, recommending the correct type of back support is only half the battle. Together with your equipment specialist (e.g. RTS, ATP, and/or manufacturer representative) you also need to make sure it is sized and set up appropriately to meet your client's needs. 5/30/2019 Keep Reading
Paralympian Gains Improved Maneuverability and Posture with Personally Configured Rigid Ultralight Wheelchair and Seating In 1995, when Gabriel was 11 years old, he sustained a complete spinal cord injury (SCI) at the T3-T4 level as the result of a bicycle accident. 5/20/2019 Keep Reading
Axle Plates & Adjustments on Ultra Lightweight Manual Wheelchairs One of the most frustrating situations for a seating and mobility therapist is to see an active manual propeller reaching back for their rear wheel because the center of gravity setting is in the most rearward position. All ultra lightweight manual wheelchairs allow for center of gravity adjustments. This is accomplished by moving the rear axle forward or backward along the axle plate. The clinical recommendation for active users is to adjust the rear axle as far forward as possible without compromising the stability of the user. 4/29/2019 Keep Reading
Comparing & Contrasting 3 Back Frame Options for a Rigid Ultra Lightweight Wheelchair The two primary types or styles of ultra lightweight wheelchair frames are folding (x-frame folding cross brace) and rigid (box or open frame). Within the two overarching groups of ultra lightweight wheelchairs, there are a number of options available in each to lead toward the selection of the most appropriate wheelchair for a user. As a part of the complex rehabilitation technology (CRT) interdisciplinary team, it is important that you have an understanding of how these options could potentially impact a user's ability to propel his/her wheelchair in the most efficient and healthy way possible. 3/29/2019 Keep Reading
