Page 23 - Mobility Management, October 2018

opposed to additional funding needs for environmental changes.”
And clearance for the wheelchair user’s legs isn’t the only consideration.
“[Seat-to-floor height] affects their armrest height, too,” King said. He suggested that a lower seat-to-floor height gives the user “more access under the table so they can go straight on instead of side- ways. Getting leg clearance and armrest clearance allows them to get closer to their [activity] surface.”
Even a small change in height, King added, can cause big trouble.
“I’ve had situations where people have had to get an entirely new vehicle because their chair [height] was a half-inch taller,” he said. “It threw off their EZ Lock [wheelchair securement] system, and the ramp that was built into their van. It’s a really important consideration.”
So keeping the seat-to-floor height low can offer a number of benefits.
“For a shorter individual who can still transfer on their own, they need the capability of being able to flip their footplate back and place their feet on the ground,” King said. “It’s just that simple. Without the seat-to-floor height low enough, they would need a care- giver to transfer them out of the chair. Independence is the key.”
It’s sometimes possible to use a lower-profile cushion on the chair to help keep the user at a lower overall height, King added.
“You can make up for [a higher seat-to- floor height] with seat cushion thick- nesses, but not always. Especially if they have a custom molded seat, you’re not going to be able to cut off any thickness.”
Every Measurement Matters
Perhaps the most critical idea to keep in mind with power wheelchair measurements is that even a small change or deviation can
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have a huge impact in the consumer’s ability to navigate through their days as efficiently and effectively as possible.
“It’s vital to never underestimate the impact of the length and width of a power chair,” Smith said. “Indoors, even one-quarter inch of excess width may prevent access to a restroom, for example, so ensuring that a power chair’s length and width fit the client’s environments is an absolute must.”
King agreed.
“The longer the base, the more turning radius is required,” he said. “If you go from a mid-wheel to a rear-wheel drive, [the new turning radius] might mean
the user has to take their legrest off their chair so they can make a turn inside the vehicle to access their steering wheel,
to get into their EZ Lock system, or to access their tie-downs.
“And this could cause another instance in which they need assistance.” m
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MOBILITY MANAGEMENT | OCTOBER 2018 23