A study of the space requirements of wheelchair users

Anthropometric data for wheelchair users: a systematic literature review

The wheelchair user population has special requirements that should be met. However, existing anthropometric data for this specific population are limited. This article characterizes and compares the available literature on anthropometric data of wheelchair users to allow for better understandings and use of data in future studies. A systematic literature review was conducted, where inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined. Forty-one articles were selected to be included in this review. The results show that there is limited information available on wheelchair users' anthropometrics. There is a lack of consistency between studies, regarding the measurements collected, samples used and methods applied. These methodological issues and differences between studies make it difficult to ensure good comparisons of databases and populations and proper designs of spaces and equipment. This study provides valuable information for future studies that need to use anthropometric data, for research and development of new products targeting wheelchair users.

Design Practice and ‘Designing for All’

It is essential that all designers with responsibility for the human-machine interface have access to information on the anthropometry and capabilities of the whole population of people who may wish to interact with the design in question. Current databases used by designers typically present only very limited information concerning people who are older and/or disabled. Furthermore, tables of data are known to be largely ineffective and designers prefer to see visualisations of design data. In order to establish the current situation regarding design in relation to the needs of older and disabled people, existing products, procedures and systems were investigated. The objective was to identify current practice and the needs of designers whilst attempting to ‘design for all’. This paper will report on the findings from these interviews to date, which will ultimately lead to a requirements specification to aid design for the needs of older and disabled people.

Engineering anthropometry of employment rehabilitation centre clients

The authors have been involved in a project "Providing Ergonomics Services to Employment Rehabilitation Centres" (ERC). This paper describes the part of the study dealing with anthropometry of the ERC clients. The analysis of the results shows differences between ERC clients, other disabled groups and able-bodied with regard to body dimensions. This finding implies that the ERC clients should be considered as a distinct group with regard to workplace design specification, especially in the ERC workshop.

An approach to the design of wheelchairs for young users

Sixty six physically handicapped children between the ages of 5 and 16 took part in an anthropometric study of young wheelchair users. All those involved had at one time used a wheelchair regularly, and only 9 in the study habitually walked. Using a standard body measuring instrument, 13 measurements of bodily dimensions were taken with the children sitting in their usual chairs. An assessment was also made of the degree of support afforded by the backrest. Five dimensions normally used in prescribing wheelchairs to patients were used as a basis for working out the sizes of the various sections of a wheelchair, such as seat, backrest, armrest and frame size. The raw data indicated that appreciable inconsistencies in body shape existed which were not allowed for in present wheelchair design. A new approach is proposed in which wheelchairs would be assembled from interlocking sections of variable size . This arrangement would allow wheelchairs to be fitted more completely to the individual.