Independent Wheelchair Transfers in the Built Environment: How Transfer Setup Impacts Performance Phase 2: Final Report

Addendum A: List of Terms

Attempted Transfer- a transfer where the participant starts to transfer, by putting their hands on the station or leaving their wheeled mobility device seat. If the participant lands on the desired platform, then it is considered a successful transfer. If the participant does not end on the desired platform it is considered a failed transfer.

Failed Transfer- an attempted transfer that the participant is unable to complete; not landing securely onto the desired platform and ending back in the mobility device seat instead of on the desired platform.

Independent Transfer: a transfer that can be completed without the assistance or intervention

Level Transfer- A transfer where the transfer surface is at the same height as the wheelchair seat to floor height.

Non-level Transfer- A transfer where the transfer surface is higher or lower than the wheelchair seat to floor height.

Not attempted Transfer- The participant visually inspects the set up or knows by personal experience that they are not going to able to complete the transfer. They decide that they do not want to attempt the transfer.

Relative Height Difference: difference between the wheelchair seat height and the height obtained for the non-level transfers.

Successful Transfer- a transfer where the participant transfers from their wheeled mobility device to the transfer station landing safely and securely on the transfer seat.

Transfer Board- a transfer board is a piece of assistive technology that helps a person transfer from one surface to another. The board sits between the wheelchair and the transfer surface. The boards come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Transfer Station- instrument used for conducting the study consisting of a table on top of a hydraulic adjustable height scissor lift, with the addition of modular parts for different transfer set ups.

Two Step Transfer: a transfer from a wheelchair to a transfer surface (step 1) and then a second transfer to another transfer surface that is either higher or lower than the previous one (step 2).

Wheelchair seat height- The distance measured from the floor to the top of the wheelchair seat cushion. This distance is measured at the center of the seat.