Here is the response I received this morning from Invacare.


Dear Ms. Zamarripa,

     I am writing in response to your email concerning the use of
Invacare wheelchairs in conjunction with tie-down systems and also crash
testing of wheelchairs.

     Please be advised that all Invacare wheelchair owner's manuals,
power and manual chairs alike, contain the following note with regard to
wheelchair tie-down restraints:

     Invacare recommends that wheelchair users NOT be transported in
vehicles of any kind while in wheelchairs.  As of this date, the
Department of Transportation has not approved any tie-down systems for
transportation of a user while in a wheelchair, in a moving vehicle of
any type.

     It is Invacare's position that users of wheelchairs should be
transferred into appropriate seating in vehicles for transportation and
use be made of the restraints made available by the auto industry.
Invacare cannot and does not recommend any wheelchair transportation
systems.

     Additional sources have advised that there are currently no
manufacturers in the U.S. that have had their wheelchairs crash tested.
European manufacturers, such as Permobile, equip their chairs with
tie-down points, however, there is no data available that suggests or
confirms that their wheelchairs have been crash tested.

     If you would like further information pertaining to wheelchair
crash testing, please contact Gina Bertocci or Larry Snyder at the
University of Michigan.

     Thank you for contacting Invacare and allowing us the opportunity
to address your concerns.


Sincerely,

Tonya Rodriguez
Service & Parts Organization