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Reaching, Leaning - Backwards
WARNING
DO NOT lean over the top of the back uphol-
stery. This will change your center of gravity
and may cause you to tip over.
REACHING, LEANING - BACKWARDS
METHOD 1
Roll the wheelchair forward and slowly lower the front
casters onto the sidewalk. Do not let the wheelchair drop
the last few inches to the ground. This could result in
injury to the occupant. Push the wheelchair forward until
the rear wheels roll up and over the curb.
METHOD 2 - This method requires two (2) assistants.
The second assistant should be positioned at the front
of the wheelchair lifting upward on a non-removable (non-
detachable) part of the wheelchair frame when lifting the
wheelchair and stabilizing the wheelchair when the wheel-
chair is being lowered to the ground.
The first assistant should stand on the sidewalk and turn
the wheelchair so that the rear wheels are against the
curb. The wheelchair should be tilted back to the bal-
ance point and, in one continuous upward movement,
the rear wheels should be pulled up and over the curb.
DO NOT return the front casters to the ground until the
wheelchair has been pulled backward far enough for
the front casters to clear the edge of the curb.
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GENERAL GUIDELINESPROCEDURE 1
REACHING, LEANING AND BENDING - FORWARD
Reaching, Leaning and Bending Forward
Position the front casters so that they are extended as
far forward as possible and engage wheel locks.
WARNING
DO NOT attempt to reach objects if you have to
move forward in the seat or pick them up from
the floor by reaching down between your knees.
Tilting
WARNING
DO NOT tilt the wheelchair without assistance.
When lowering the front casters of the wheelchair,
DO NOT let the wheelchair drop the last few inches
to the ground. This could result in injury to the oc-
cupant and/or damage to the wheelchair.
When tilting the wheelchair, an assistant should grasp the
back of the wheelchair on a non-removable (non-detach-
able) part. Inform the wheelchair occupant before tilting the
wheelchair and remind him/her to lean back. Be sure the
occupant’s feet and hands are clear of all wheels.
TILTING - CURBS:
After mastering the techniques of tilting the wheelchair,
use this procedure to tackle curbs, short stairs, etc.
METHOD 1 - Apply a continuous downward motion until
the balance point is achieved and the front casters clear
the curb. At this point, the assistant will feel a difference
in the weight distribution.
FORWARD REACH
COMFORT MAXIMUM
0 8 16 24 37
72
64
61
56
53
48
42
40
32
29
INCHES
INCHES
Functional Reach From a Wheelchair
The approximate reach-limit values shown in the accom-
panying graphs were derived on the basis of a sample of
91 male and 36 female wheelchair users. Note the differ-
ence between the maximum and the comfortable reach
limits, a subjective but important consideration in design.