The Impact of Transfer Setup on the Performance of Independent Wheelchair Transfers

• Published in: Human factors 2013-06, Vol.55 (3), p.567-580
• Main Authors: Toro, Maria Luisa, Koontz, Alicia M., Cooper, Rory A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accessibility; Activities of Daily Living; Adult; Built environment; Disabled Persons - legislation & jurisprudence; Disabled Persons - rehabilitation; Environmental factors; Equipment Design; Female; Grabs; Guidelines; Guidelines as Topic; Human factors; Human performance; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mobility; Obstacles; Patient Transfer - standards; People with disabilities; Platforms; Space life sciences; Spinal Cord Injuries - rehabilitation; United States; Urban environments; Users; Wheelchairs
• ISSN: 0018-7208; 1547-8181
• DOI: 10.1177/0018720812460549

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine how selected environmental factors affect transfers and to compare our results to the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG). Background: Few data are available to support standards development related to transfers in the built environment. Method: Participants were 120 wheeled mobility device (WMD) users who transferred to and from a modular transfer station that consisted of a height-adjustable platform with a lateral grab bar, optional obstacle to the transfer, and an optional height-adjustable front grab bar. Maximum and minimum vertical heights of the transfer surface, maximum gap distance between the WMD and transfer surface, grab bar use, and WMD space needs were recorded. Results: The 95th percentile lowest and highest heights attained were similar to the median WMD seat-to-floor height (56 cm). We found that 42% (47/113) could not perform a transfer with the obstacle present. Participants transferred higher when the front grab bar was added to the setup (p = .005) and higher and lower with the front grab bar than without it when the obstacle was present in the setup (p = .003 and p = .005, respectively). We found that 95% of participants performed a transfer across an 8.9-cm gap. ADAAG recommendations fall short for the height and clear-space needs of the 50th-percentile WMD users. Conclusion: Revisions concerning transfer heights, gaps, clear spaces, and grab bar heights are necessary to make transfers more accessible to WMD users. Application: The data will be used to revise the guidelines related to transfers and to enable designers and engineers to create an environment that is more accessible.