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Top tips for transport solutions
Do you know what to look for in transport assessments ? James Pitt-Kerby shares some tips to boost your confidence and take your skills to the next level .
W hile many occupational therapists are familiar in assessing in-home adaptations for their clients , the issue of transport for wheelchair users is often overlooked . Confusion around the many different types of wheelchair accessible vehicles available , a huge choice of adaptation and access types , and a complex mix of stakeholder needs can make provisioning personal transport for wheelchair users a challenging process .
Our consultants have carried out thousands of transport assessments and , using this experience , we have developed an accurate process for assessing transport needs for wheelchair users who need to travel seated in their wheelchair .
This process can be divided into three main steps : a preliminary assessment , to gauge key stakeholder requirements ; a physical demonstration and product assessment , to test how potential solutions might fit those needs ; and a cost assessment , to understand how the acquisition and ongoing running costs fit into the client ’ s budget .
Preliminary needs assessment
While it might be tempting to dive straight into vehicle demonstrations and test drives , a preliminary assessment can help you point your client in the right direction and begin to narrow down the huge abundance of choice available to them .
Initially , an understanding of the physical requirements of the wheelchair user is usually the best place to start , so grab a tape measure and record their seated height . This will indicate exactly how much headroom the vehicle will require as a minimum .
Understanding the dimensions of the wheelchair user will help to narrow down the options that might suit their needs , as should the vehicle not have enough space , the wheelchair user is likely to feel cramped and uncomfortable , or worse still , not fit at all .
Weight is also a key consideration , both for the wheelchair and the wheelchair user themselves . ISO10542 legislation for wheelchair accessible vehicles mandates that the wheelchair user and chair must have separate , safety-tested restraint systems .
And with some of today ’ s powered wheelchairs weighing in excess of 200kg , it ’ s important to ensure that the Wheelchair Tie-Down and Occupant Restraint System ( WTORS ) is suitable for the weight of the wheelchair and occupant .
Wheelchairs are recommended to meet the minimum standard prescribed in ISO7176-19 , typically carrying the universally recognised ‘ snaphook ’ anchor point logo , making it easier to identify a device which can safely be used in a wheelchair accessible vehicle .
The next step is to consider the wider needs of the wheelchair user and other stakeholders . While no two clients are the same , their disability may give some clues as to their priorities ; someone with a spinal injury , for example , might focus on ride comfort .
Knowing what is important to the client , how their physical requirements may change over time , and what additional equipment they will need to travel with , can help you to identify a suitable solution .
Likewise , consider the wider lifestyle of all vehicle users ( the types of journey undertaken , where the vehicle will typically be parked and how many other passengers need to be accounted for ), who will be driving or assisting with the loading procedure and what are their capabilities .
These are all areas to start thinking about and looking at carefully when the time comes to start the next stage , testing and trialling potential vehicles .
The demonstration process
Most wheelchair accessible vehicle providers can visit your client to carry out a home demonstration and this is your opportunity to see how well a potential solution might fit their needs .
For the occupational therapist in attendance , it ’ s your chance to check off the requirements identified in your preliminary assessment , but also to look at physical factors to judge how the travelling experience might vary from vehicle to vehicle .
The primary considerations to assess at this stage are the comfort and inclusion of the wheelchair user . While many factors can influence how comfortable the wheelchair user feels whilst travelling , a focus on their posture , eyeline and centre of gravity is ideal .
A level surface for the wheelchair promotes a natural , comfortable posture , while being able to see out of the windows easily without bending or craning will lead to higher comfort , especially over longer journeys .
16 OTnews May 2024