Safe patient handling will get even more critical than it is today—for patients and caregivers alike. We specialize in mobility. From mobilizing patients from bariatric to frail, we will always be the right fit.This handy guide provides you with some of the fundamental factors that you have to be aware of when using a wheelchair. Sadly it is not as simple as unfolding the chair and getting it rolling; there are some important aspects of which you and your carer should be aware. There are a range of safety precautions that you should be aware of but this article will only cover the main concerns. Firstly make sure you do not exceed the maximum weight limit of the chair as this could lead to breakage and discomfort. Once you are in operation be careful not to have the footrests set too low as many curbs and entrances may be too high for low foot rests. They should be no lower than 6.5cms (2 ½ inches from the ground) Lower the user into the chair, rather than allowing them to fall into the chair.
Allowing them to fall could cause the chair to tip unexpectedly. Be careful when moving the wheelchair; do not lift it from the arm rests as these could become detached. Finally ensure that the wheels are properly inflated and the brakes are clean and adjusted properly. If you take these simple precautions you should be free to travel safely. Unlike an able bodied person you will not be able to go where you please at ease. In America an act was passed in 1990 called the ‘Americans with Disabilities Act’ which aimed to maximise the accessibility of all people in physical places. Despite the legislation in place wheelchair users still face numerous difficulties in travelling to and navigating around places. Once you have decided upon your destination you need to plan a mode of transport. If you are using public transport you need to be aware of the vehicle capabilities. Some buses will pass wheelchair users waiting at bus stops due to their wheelchair space being occupied by another wheelchair user or a pram.
This could lead to a long wait for a bus. If you call for a taxi, make sure you tell them you have a wheelchair, so they can send out an appropriate vehicle. With trains there are issues regarding accessing the platform and moving from the platform to the train. Tell the station staff which train you intend to board so they can radio ahead and get the ramp ready. Travelling by car is the easiest option if you have a good sized vehicle. Pushing a wheelchair with any weight of person inside can be more difficult than you imagined. If you are visiting a park of any outside location be aware of the limitation of the wheelchair. It may be propelled by yourself or the user, either way it is limited by physical strength. Secondly the wheels are generally designed for urban transportation and are not very well designed for off-road travel. Be mindful of the facilities provided by the location – disabled toilets, lifts and ramps. Finally you chair is an expensive piece of kit and it provides a level of freedom that would be difficult to achieve otherwise.
Therefore it is important that you take good care of the chair. Avoid off-road usage, keep the brakes well adjusted, and keep the wheels oiled and the tyres adequately inflated. Take care you your chair and your chair will take care of you. If you continue to practise the factors mentioned in this article you should be able to make the most of your situation and embrace your new position.WisePies Arena aka The Pit The most famous basketball venue in the world, The Pit was just recently renovated. The $60 million renovation, combining with the deep history and mystique of The Pit, continues to make it the best basketball arena anywhere in the world!! Located on the southwest corner of Avenida Cesar Chavez and University Boulevard, The Pit can be easily accessed by exiting off I-25, just south of the Big-I, at Avenida Cesar Chavez. Head east on Avenida Cesar Chavez and The Pit is located on the right. The following items will not be allowed into The Pit: food, water or beverages of any kind
artificial noisemaker such as horns, drums, bells, whistles, etc. per Mountain West Conference rules pets (except service animals assisting those with disabilities) weapons of any kind any other item that in the judgment of game management staff poses a safety hazard or detracts from the ability of others to enjoy the event. Prohibited items must be returned to the owner's vehicle or discarded. Any unlawful items are subject to confiscation, and the person in possession of such items is subject to ejection from the stadium and/or arrest. Tickets By PhoneWheelchair Accessible Seating Mon-Fri 10:00am-4:00pm MST877-664-8661 (Toll Free)(505) 925-5858 UNM Ticket Office (The Pit)Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:00pm MST(505) 925-5626 UNM Ticket Office (Bookstore)Tue-Fri 10:00am-6:00pm MSTSat 12:00pm-4:00pm MST(505) 277-4569 Albertsons Supermarkets(Ticket Outlets)Mon-Sun 9:00am-8:00pm MSTGet Wise and be in the know Below you can open up get wise leaflets from the BHTA.
Find out what you should no about buying scooters using scooters and travelling on public transport. The BHTA have several other Get Wise leaflets you can find the list HERE BHTA Get Wise Mobility BHTA Get Wise Wheelchairs BHTA Get Wise Transport.The width of a doorway inside a building that you frequently visit, is a measurement that is hardly ever brought up or talked about.To meet the ADA accessibility standard, doors must have a clear width of 32 inches from the face of the door to the opposite stop. People in wheelchairs have to think about this at least once a day, because they are the ones who actually need to have enough clearance for a wheelchair to fit through a doorway. This is why this piece was written, to bring awareness to the fact that every single building in America should have the necessary doorway width on all doors on any building.To be able to correctly resize a doorway to an exact measurement, you will to relocate a lot of different things. This would include relocating the light switches next to doors, wiring located inside the wall will have to be moved, and electric sockets also would need to be moved if they are in the way.
The correct size for a wheelchair user to be able to comfortably fit through a doorway is 32 inches wide. Commonly, doorways are measured at about 23 to 27 inches; this would not be wide enough for a user to fit through.When there is a sharp or narrow turn you have to make in order to fit through the door, there needs to be more clearance in order for the user to make it out of the narrow hallway or room.The width of a building’s doorway may cause the owner to have to spend money to remodel the doorways if they are not wide enough for wheelchairs. Finding a contractor to do it and paying out of pocket can be expensive for small-mid size businesses. The government provides the Specialty Adapted Housing Grant, which can help finance the expenditure of door width remodeling.If the doors are too narrow in your house, they can be widened through remodeling of walls and entryways. You may need to remove the door unit and doorway trim in order to be able to properly resize the doorway.The amount of space necessary for a narrow or slim wheelchair to get through a doorway is a lot smaller than it would be for a regular chair.