Page 13
RAMP OPERATION
Position and fasten
the wheelchair-
equipped occupant
seat belt before
loading onto the
wheelchair ramp.
Failure to do so may
result in serious
bodily injury and/or
property damage.
Passengers should be positioned
in the center of the ramp at all
times. Attendants and ramp pas-
sengers must be able to clearly
view the ramp whenever board-
ing and exiting the vehicle. The
attendant and/or wheelchair
passenger must ensure the ramp
is fully deployed before exiting the
vehicle. Observe your passen-
gers at all times when they are
entering and exiting the vehicle.
Wheelchair-Equipped Occupant
Seat Belts:
Wheelchair passen-
gers should position and buckle
their wheelchair-equipped seat
EHOWWRUVRUHVWUDLQWDVVSHFLÀHG
by the manufacturer, before load-
ing onto a wheelchair ramp.
Different types of disabilities
require different types of wheel-
chairs and different types of
wheelchair-equipped occupant
restraint belt systems (torso re-
straint). It is the responsibility of
the wheelchair passenger to have
his or her wheelchair equipped
with an occupant restraint (seat
belt) under the direction of their
health care professional.
Stabilizing Wheelchairs:
Pow-
ered and manual wheelchairs
are designed to remain upright
and stable during normal opera-
tion. All activities which involve
movement in a wheelchair have
an effect on the combined center
of gravity of the occupant and
wheelchair. Be aware of the ramp
slope (angle). The slope of the
ramp has a direct effect on the
center of gravity. The wheelchair
SDVVHQJHU·VFHQWHURIJUDYLW\DQG
their ability to maintain stability
and balance must be kept in mind
by the wheelchair passenger and
the attendant.
The aid of an attendant stabilizing
the wheelchair is recommended
for optimum safety. Wheelchair
passengers who are unable to
maintain stability and balance
should not board a ramp without
assistance.
Counterbalance
devices (anti-tippers) may be
available from the wheelchair rep-
resentative to enhance stability
and balance.
Wheelchairs should be operated
at a slow and constant speed
when on the ramp.
Wheelchairs
should not accelerate suddenly
when on the ramp. Wheelchair
passengers should not raise the
front wheelchair wheels (pull
wheelie) when on the ramp.
WA
RNING
Be aware of
ramp slope.
Ramp Passenger Safety
Wheelchair passengers who
intend to enter and exit the
vehicle without the assistance of
an attendant must determine the
safest and most practical method
and orientation of entering and
exiting based on the physical
characteristics of their personal
wheelchair and his or her physical
capabilities to maintain stability
while the wheelchair is in motion
on the ramp.
Wheelchair Attendants:
When
assisting a wheelchair occupant,
remember to use good body me-
chanics. When the wheelchair is
on the ramp, the attendant must
grasp the push handles (or other)
securely. Detachable wheelchair
parts such as arm or leg rests
must never be used for hand
holds or lifting supports. Doing
so could result in the parts being
inadvertently detached from the
wheelchair resulting in possible
LQMXU\WRWKHZKHHOFKDLURFFXSDQW
and/or the attendant.
Summary of Contents for BF3248Y-2
Page 21: ...Page 19 BLANK for LAYOUT...
