I apologize if this is a repeat post.  Notice how big of an issue this is
and how little is down on the governmental level to regulate wheelchairs and
transportation.

Beth the OT

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-----Original Message-----
From: Katherine Post [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, July 16, 2001 11:00 AM
To: Technology SIS Listserv
Subject: [tech-sis] Re: InvaCare power chairs





Although I haven't heard of a specific case, I think we as individuals
prescribing equipment bear at least some moral responsibility, if not legal
liability, for the safety of individuals being transported in chairs. This
is
complex and speaks as much about our responsibility to educate consumers and
their families (and ourselves) about the safety issues and the lack of crash
testing as it does about specific responsibility for what happens in the
chair.
For example, making sure that people understand that a positioning strap is
not
the same as a safety belt which is part of the van's tiedown system is an
important point to make when doing equipment delivery training. I've also
heard
of children who have been hurt in minor crashes because their wheelchair
laptray
was secured but the child was not - that kind of issue requires ongoing
training
of families, and of school and transport staff. Does anyone else have
experience
with these mishaps and advice for practitioners?
Kathy Post
Springfield College



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