Page 20 - Mobility Management, October 2018

ATP Series
Measuring a Power Chair
How Turning Radius, Seat-to-Floor Height & Other Measurements Impact the User Experience
20 OCTOBER 2018 | MOBILITY MANAGEMENT
MobilityMgmt.com
With every power wheelchair that can be demonstrated for and test-driven by a client comes a slew of numbers. Width and length of the chair, of course. But also turning radius and seat-to-floor height.
How are these measurements defined and what roles do they play in a client’s ultimate success?
What the Numbers Affect
Mark E. Smith is General Manager, PR, for Quantum Rehab. He has also been a full-time power wheelchair user since childhood.
“When we consider power chair measure- ments,” Smith said, “they fall into three categories: anatomical, environmental and ADLs [activities of daily living]. Firstly, measurements in the area of seating and positioning must fit the client’s anatomical needs. Secondly, the power chair’s measure- ments must fit in such areas as a home and
a vehicle. Last but not least, such measure- ments as seat-to-floor height must meet ADLs. Therefore, measurements are not exclusive to a particular area, but must meet the client’s requirements, with areas of measurements often overlapping.”
Turn, Turn, Turn
Smith explained, for example, the impact of the power wheelchair’s length can have on everyday performance.
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