Identifying research needs for wheelchair transfers in the built environment

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the results of focus groups held during the Independent Wheelchair Transfer (IWT) Workgroup. The aims were to facilitate exchange of ideas on (1) the impact of the built environment on the wheelchair transfer process within the community (i.e. moving from wheelchair to and from other surfaces (e.g. furniture, toilet seat, bath bench, car seat) to participate in daily activities), (2) wheelchair users' needs during transfers in the built environment, and (3) future research directions. Method: Live web-based conferencing using Adobe Connect technology (Clarix Technologies, Inc., Pittsford, NY) was utilized to conduct three focus groups composed of experts in the field of assistive technology. Investigators independently reviewed focus group meeting transcripts and used qualitative methods to identify main themes. Result: Thirty-one experts in assistive technology and related fields participated in focus groups. Nine main themes were found including the effect of transfer skills training, space considerations in the built environment, wheelchair configuration, and the interaction between the built environment, user preferences, and transfer techniques. All groups raised issues about the transfer process in areas of the built environment with limited access, the effect of wheelchair users' transfer techniques, and user preferences during transfers. Conclusions: The area of independent transfers is multi-faceted and several factors require consideration when contemplating environmental changes to improve accessibility for wheelchair users. Obvious opportunity exists for research which could lead to advances in transfer technology, environments, and techniques for wheelchair users.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Tremendous opportunities for research collaborations in the field of assistive technology:

• To develop new terminology to describe wheelchair transfers.

• To improve the design of the built environment for wheelchair users.

• To investigate wheelchair transfer training techniques.

• Accessibility
• built environment
• standards
• transfers
• wheelchair
• wheeled mobility device

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the participants. Without their input this paper would not have been possible. The authors also wish to thank the Human Engineering Research Laboratories for supplying the technology and institutional support to conduct this study. The contents of this article do not represent the views of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government.

Declaration in interest

The authors report that they have no conflicts of interest. The material used for this study was funded by the Department of Education (NIDRR) Grant H133N110011, US Access Board grant H133E070024 and Project #84.133E.