Wheelchair Seating and Mobility
A wheelchair can help compensate when an individual is unable to walk safely or functionally. Proper wheelchair seating can increase comfort and align the body for optimum function and health, while decreasing pain and minimizing potential for skin breakdown. A properly fitting wheelchair can allow an individual to independently propel a manual chair with greater efficiency, or operate a power wheelchair using a joystick or other means of control. Wheelchair seating which helps stabilize the body in optimal alignment can enable the individual to access other technologies and allow everyday tasks to be more easily performed. Our Wheelchair Seating and Mobility Services include evaluating, recommending and fitting wheelchairs for individuals with a variety of disabilities. Skilled clinicians perform a comprehensive evaluation of both wheelchair mobility and wheelchair seating needs, including an assessment of sitting posture, comfort, function, and the ability to propel or operate a manual or powered wheelchair. This comprehensive evaluation may include assessment in an adjustable seating simulator to address goals related to posture, movement or comfort. The evaluation may also include use of our power wheelchair simulator to assess an individual’s ability to operate a power wheelchair using alternative drive controls such as sip n puff, proximity head array, or single mechanical switches. |
