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3.2 Negotiating pavements and uneven surfaces
Going up the pavement:
A wheelchair attendant can help the user in two different ways. We recommend using
the first method.
1.
The user and attendant face towards the pavement. The attendant must pull the
handles towards him and place his foot on the stepper, located on the rear of the
wheelchair between the wheels. This creates a leverage effect.
3. USER INSTRUCTIONS
2.
The attendant stands on the pavement. Make sure the wheelchair is positioned
with the rear wheels as close to the pavement as possible. The user then leans
backwards, causing the wheelchair to tip backwards. The attendant should
make sure the front wheels are on the pavement before slowly lowering the
wheelchair.
Warning
Do not drive directly into curbs to get up on to a pavement.
Going down the pavement:
Move the wheelchair to the curb. The user leans back and the attendant tilts the
wheelchair to find the balance point. When the wheelchair is balanced, the attendant
should move the wheelchair slowly off the curb. The attendant should only lower the
front wheels back to the ground when the wheelchair is completely off the pavement.
