Remploy
8 & 9 Series
User Guide
Page
12
September 2006 Revision D
1.7
HANDLING & STABILITY ON STEPS & SLOPES
ENSURE THAT PUSH HANDLE LOCKS ARE ENGAGED BEFORE USE
A little forward journey planning can eliminate difficult manoeuvres such as
obstacles or steps. Modern public buildings should provide permanent
wheelchair ramps, with a practical slope angle, built according to
regulations, for safe access.
Technical Test data on static stability of wheelchairs should be seen as a
tool for comparison. Data does not convey actual feel of the wheelchair in
the intended environment. Initial supervised user training and assessment
by a rehabilitation professional, with the wheelchair in the intended usage
environment is recommended. Users should ensure that they are
confident with regard to this aspect of use.
An important factor in considering accessibility and slopes is the effort
demanded from the occupant or attendant using the chair. Pushing up a
steep slope, which extends over a distance, may create a need to stop
and rest, which in turn demands additional and undesirable effort to start
back upwards again. Stopping a wheelchair on a steep downward slope
also demands effort and control, and surface conditions need to be taken
into account when deciding what outdoor route to take. Manoeuvres,
which demand over exertion, may create risk of injury to the user and
should be avoided. However, if in temporary difficulty, wheelchair users
should not hesitate in asking for assistance from people nearby, someone
will usually be happy to help.
Modern buildings should have slopes built to a required standard angle,
but this is not the case with all access areas. Learning the geography of
an area is important. As an all round guide, a maximum safe slope of 8
degrees is our recommendation for the Remploy range of manually
propelled wheelchairs. However this recommendation may need to be
changed if the wheelchair has attachments added to it, such as an
elevating legrest or carry bag, which adversely affects stability. Such
changes to the chair specification may have a critical effect, and they
require re-assessment by a rehabilitation professional.
SAFE SLOPE OF 8 DEGREES FOR MANUAL WHEELCHAIRS
Where possible, the hazard of negotiating steps should be avoided.
Many falls and injuries to both occupant and helper can occur when
inexperienced people are carrying out this operation, and if users or
carers are concerned about a particular hazard in the usage environment,
which they must regularly overcome, they should consult their wheelchair
rehabilitation service, or community services department., as appropriate.
There may still be occasions when steps must be negotiated.
see figs 7,
8 & 9.
