De-mystifying Power Wheelchairs - Selecting Electronics In continuing our series on de-mystifying power wheelchairs, this month let's look more closely at electronics. Electronics for power wheelchairs can be categorized into expandable and non-expandable options. What this refers to is the degree to which the electronics allow different input devices, power options, drive profiles and functionality with assistive technology. 2012-09-10 Keep Reading
De-mystifying Power Wheelchairs - The Control Module As I stated in last month's article, in continuing to "de-mystify" power wheelchairs, we will look at how the controller or control module, works to provide instructions to the motors to move the power wheelchair in the desired manner. 2012-08-15 Keep Reading
De-mystifying Power Wheelchairs - Batteries and Motors In last month's article, I wrote about Power Programming Basics and the common adjustments that can be made to the programming of a power wheelchair to affect the drive-ability of such a chair for a particular user. Over the next few months, I would like to focus on the "gross anatomy" of a power wheelchair base to help in de-mystifying power wheelchairs for those who may not feel comfortable working with power wheelchairs. A power base includes the following: wheels, casters, motors, batteries, and the controller. 2012-07-13 Keep Reading
Power Programming Basics Recently, my colleague, Ken Kalinowski, and I presented a workshop on the Power of Programming at the Canadian Seating and Mobility Conference (CSMC) in Toronto. (Ken is the Senior Service Technician and Technical Trainer with Sunrise Medical. He teaches Power Technical Training Programs in Canada and the United States.) I think it is fabulous to have the opportunity to learn hands-on, but for those of you who did not have the opportunity to attend CSMC and who are not very familiar with programming for power wheelchairs, this month's article will help to increase your comfort level with the very basics of programming for power chairs. 2012-06-04 Keep Reading
Wear in Wheelchair Cushions Often when I go into hospitals and other facilities – places that have equipment pools for seating and mobility, but limited budgets for replacement items – I am asked "How can you tell if a cushion is worn out?" Because of the frequency of that question, I thought it would make a great topic for Clinical Corner. It is also a topic that is applicable for evaluating an individual wheelchair user's cushion to determine when a replacement cushion may be needed if there are no provincial funding guidelines. 2012-05-03 Keep Reading
