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

Participants

The target sample populations were individuals who live in the community and use a wheeled mobility device, as well as having the ability to transfer independently and represent a broad spectrum of disabilities. Participants were eligible to participate if they (1) were at least 7 years old, (2) self-reported ability to perform independent transfers to/from a WMD with or without a transfer aide, (3) owned a WMD, (4) have been using the WMD for at least one year. Participants were excluded if they had (1) significant upper extremity pain or injury that would inhibit their ability to transfer, (2) any active pressure sores, (3) any history of pressure sores that would be exacerbated with transfer activity and (4) cognitive impairments that would impair following simple instructions.
Participants were tested at the 28th National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in Snowmass Village, Colorado during March 2014; at the Hiram G Andrews Center in Johnstown, Pennsylvania during September 2013 and at the Human Engineering Research Laboratories in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania between July 2013 and July 2014.