title: The quest for the perfect lightweight wheelchair: ultralight rigid frame wheelchair specification strategies for success.
abstract: It is hoped that this information will encourage rehabilitation therapists learning to prescribe ultralight rigid frame to set aside some of the "rules" they have been taught in school and take a more practical approach that emphasizes a need to understand the person, their problems, and priorities, then match those with the most appropriate product for their needs. Experienced rigid frame users are often given credit for "knowing exactly what they want" when it is time for a new wheelchair. In reality, most base their specifications on an existing wheelchair using a "relativity" approach. They determine their optimal configuration based on what has worked and what has not worked in the past. They frequently go online for product information and advice from other end users. The CareCure poll referenced early in this article is open indefinitely. If we learn to follow their lead, it is hoped that fewer first chairs will fit inappropriately in the future.
authors.affiliation: Cleveland VA's Regional SCI Center, USA. sciotr@ameritech.net
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mitchell
mesh_terms: D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D014910:Wheelchairs / Q000592:standards*