It is estimated that at least 25 million people have mobility problems and, of those, about 500,000 people use wheelchairs. It is important for wheelchair users to learn safe operation because using a wheelchair, motorized or not, can be hazardous to the drivers and bystanders.
Instructions
Teach Wheelchair Safety
1. Provide short, frequent sessions with students. You will find that people, and especially young people, have a limited attention span and safety may not always be at the forefront of their thoughts.
2. Highlight the dangers and pitfalls of wheelchairs--not to discourage users but to make them understand the inherent dangers.
3. Show people they should use the proper restraints that come with the wheelchairs. It is important to stay secured in the chairs just in case the wheelchair tips or is damaged.
4. Identify your audience to meet their needs. For children who may run the wheelchair at unsafe speeds, it is possible to implement a speed limiting device.
5. Make sure your students have the proper safety devices on their wheelchairs. This can be anything from hill-stopper brakes that allow the chair to go uphill without losing ground to a simple brake lever within reach of the wheelchair operator.
6. Constantly remind students of what misusing a wheelchair can do to someone. This is an effective method to shock the user into compliance.
Teach Wheelchair Inspection
7. Teach students determine that the wheelchair rolls straight with no drag or pull to one side.
8. Show students inspect for loose hardware on frame and cross brace.
9. Show students inspect for a bent frame or cross braces.
10. Instruct students on check the wheel locks so they do not interfere with tires when rolling.
11. Teach students check that wheel lock pivot points are free of wear and are tight.
12. Show students make sure wheel locks are easy to engage.
Tags: Show students, , frame cross, people have, Show students inspect, students check