Wheelchair & Seating Assessment

Service Description

The wheelchair (WC) is one of the most important examples of mobility-assistive equipment (MAE) available to people with impaired mobility. Otherwise known as a "wheeled mobility device" (WMD), the WC has revolutionized the treatment of patients experiencing disability and has had a significant impact on those with serious functional restrictions. The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed guidelines that highlight eight steps to standardize the process of wheelchair service delivery. These include (1) referral and appointment; (2) patient assessment; (3) WC prescription; (4) funding and purchase; (5) device installation and preparation; (6) device fitting; (7) patient instruction and training; and, (8) follow-up maintenance/repairs. The WHO has established a hierarchy of WC users' seating and positioning needs: basic, intermediate, and complex. It is important to possess the knowledge and skills and complete the necessary specialized training to be able to assess and provide people who have basic, intermediate and complex seating needs the correct wheelchair and supportive seating system.