read and learn

mobility training publications

read and learn

mobility training publications

resources to assist

PAX Press, a division of Beneficial Designs, publishes information sheets, information packets, reports, books, and videos all related to recreation technologies, seating and mobility, and environmental accessibility.

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PAX Press educational resources

PAX Press
educational resources

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The Powered Wheelchair Training Guide

By: Peter Axelson, Jean Minkel, Anita Perr, and Denise Yamada
Illustrated by: Clay Butler
PAX PRESS, 2002

Many wheelchair users unnecessarily limit their activities to familiar environments because they have not learned the skills to safely access other areas independently.

The Powered Wheelchair Training Guide can help powered wheelchair users and their training assistants develop the skills to effectively maneuver through commonly encountered environments such as ramps, tight spaces, and curb ramps. The guide covers when and how to elicit the help of others, when the conditions get rough. Tips on how to use public transportation, travel in inclement weather, and obtain additional resources of interest help make this book a comprehensive reference for powered wheelchair users and professionals involved in wheelchair skills training. This publication is also useful as a textbook for Occupational and Physical Therapy programs. The easy to follow steps for assisting a powered wheelchair user are helpful for professors and students world wide.

acknowledgments

This project was funded by the Paralyzed Veterans of America Spinal Cord Injury Education and Training Foundation (contract #EFT 238-94), and Beneficial Designs, Inc.

The Manual Wheelchair Training Guide

Second Edition

By: Peter Axelson, Jean Minkel, and Anita Perr
Illustrated by: Clay Butler
Editing and Layout by: Ben Hubbard and Ted Nagel
PAX PRESS, 2013

Many wheelchair users unnecessarily limit their activities to familiar environments because they have not learned the skills to safely access other areas independently. As anyone who has ever used a wheelchair knows, the built environment does not always provide adequate wheelchair access. While standard ramps and curb cuts make the use of a wheelchair easier, perfecting these skills and gaining more insight into the correct ways to maneuver a wheelchair makes a rider more comfortable and, therefore, more safe. Good wheelchair riding skills are critical when venturing onto unpaved surfaces, through narrow doorways, and up or down curbs not yet ramped.

The Manual Wheelchair Training Guide Second Edition is filled with clear instructions and illustrations to show wheelchair riders and their training assistants a variety of techniques for accessing the world. Collected from skilled peers, each skill is illustrated and explained in detail in the guide. This publication is also useful as a textbook for Occupational and Physical Therapy programs. The easy to follow steps for assisting a wheelchair user are helpful for professors and students world wide. 

General hints are provided to help wheelchair users plan suitable routes of travel, develop skills for emergency situations, and learn guidelines on when and how to obtain assistance from others. Also included, are techniques for companions to assist wheelchair riders with good body mechanics.

“As an Occupational Therapist teaching at NYU, and a private practice clinician, I have found the Manual Wheelchair Training Guide an essential tool for training mobility skills to both students and clients. Since the Manual Wheelchair Training Guide has been authored by RESNA certified assistive technology professionals and actual wheelchair users, I have been assured of the most comprehensive instructions and training techniques since 1998. The Manual Wheelchair Training Guide is the indispensable standard for educating students, clients, and professionals, in wheelchair mobility and maintenance.”
Michael W. Tranquilli, MA, OTR/L

acknowledgments

This project was funded by the Paralyzed Veterans of America Spinal Cord Injury Education and Training Foundation (contract #EFT 238-94), and Beneficial Designs, Inc.

A Guide to Wheelchair Selection

By: Peter Axelson, Jean Minkel, and Denise Chesney
Illustrated by: Peter Thomas
THE PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA, 1994

Designed to help consumers make better educated decisions when purchasing a manual or powered wheelchair, this guide clearly explains how to use the ANSI/RESNA Wheelchair Standard test results to compare the characteristics and performance of both manual and powered wheelchairs. This publication is also useful in combination with the Manual and Powered Wheelchair Training Guides as a textbook for Occupational and Physical Therapy programs. Future therapists, with the help of this publication, will be able to help patients choose the appropriate wheelchair according to individual needs and abilities.

wheechair standards

Since 1982, the ANSI/RESNA Standards Subcommittee on Wheelchairs has been developing standards to test and measure wheelchairs. These standards encourage manufacturers to produce better products by giving consumers a means to compare different wheelchairs and by establishing a minimum quality level.

using the standards

The book provides an overview of the ANSI/RESNA standards, including:

  • the rationale for each test
  • a brief description of the test methods
  • how the test results will be presented
  • what the test results mean

the right wheelchair for you

In addition to educating consumers about wheelchair standards, the guide provides tips on how the wheelchair should fit, lists general lifestyle considerations to take into account when considering models, and suggests ways to prioritize features desired on the chair. The appendix lists additional resources consumers can consult.

acknowledgments

Funding to write this book was provided by the Paralyzed Veterans of America Spinal Cord Injury Education and Training Foundation.