Anthropometry of Wheeled Mobility Project: Final Report

2.2.1 Demographic Information

A survey, checklist and photography were used to capture the demographic and wheelchair characteristics for each WhMD user. Demographic variables included: gender, age, disability status (category), years with the disability, and years using the mobility aid. Key variables associated with the mobility aid included device type (e.g., power chair, scooter), and within each type: make, model, age, armrests, footrests, drive wheels, controller, seat support surfaces and overall condition of the seating surface. A checklist was used to evaluate these device attributes (see Figure 2‒1). Digital photographs of the user and device were taken from the front and side views to document the wheelchair accessories and configurations of WhMD user.

Figure 2-1. Portions of the checklist used to evaluate wheelchair characteristics