Here's another one.  I've learned a lot about this post.  I guess I just
assumed they would be crash tested and the chairs would be ok in buses and
vans that are wheelchair adapted.


Beth the OT

email address: [log in to unmask]


-----Original Message-----
From: Sandra Hubbard [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, July 16, 2001 9:56 AM
To: Technology SIS Listserv
Subject: [tech-sis] RE: crash testing


Response From Barbara Crane [[log in to unmask]]

There has been no crash testing yet for adult chairs and
the standards work is under way.  (If people want to know the status of the
standards work it is being done by WG 6 and SOWHAT and the most recent
status is posted on the standards web site at
http://www.wheelchairstandards.pitt.edu

It has always been the case that no wheelchairs are tested or approved for
safe transportation as seats in motor vehicles and calls to all
manufacturers should result in the same answer -- none of the manufacturers
recommend their devices for transportation in motor vehicles and yes this
statement is supposed to limit their liability.  At the same time, all of
the manufacturers realize that people are riding in their chairs in motor
vehicles and are concerned about making sure people remain safe (and
concerned with covering their own butts!)

Chairs built for use in Europe (like the Permobile) are required to have tie
down attachment points, but I am not sure what testing is required for these
chairs. (I have never heard that they actually crash tested the chairs -- I
think they just recommend the tie down points because they feel this will
result in safer use -- they do not have the same problems we have with
lawsuits as they are not litigious societies.

For more information, you may want to contact Gina Bertocci, or Larry Snyder
at the U. of Michigan for more info.


-----Original Message-----
From: Angela Larson [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, July 16, 2001 9:33 AM
To: Technology SIS Listserv
Subject: [tech-sis] Re: InvaCare power chairs

Currently there are no stardards set forth to crash test wheelchairs for the
adult population. The only standards that are available today are for peds.
All
wheelchair manufacturers (not just Invacare) recommend that the consumer
transfer out of their wheelchair into a seat that was designed for that mode
of
transportation (car, van, bus) as that is what was tested in that vehicle.
Permobil does have visible places that can be used as ties down points,
however,
it has always been my understanding that these have only been
tested/approved in
Europe and not in the US. Invacare's 3rd generation power wheelchairs also
has a
similar type of design, but this has not been crash tested either, as there
are
no standards.






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