Step Description: The user-centered process of finding the best match possible between the wheelchairs and cushions available and the needs and requirements of the user identified in the assessment.

Planning considerations: Have a high-level understanding of what wheelchairs and cushions are locally available in the context.  

Location/facility: Enough space to have wheelchair and cushion product demonstrations with space for students to interact with the products. Option to trial wheelchairs in different environments to feel the difference in wheelchair performance (e.g. unpaved terrain vs tile).

Human resource: You can partner with a wheelchair vendor or experienced peer trainers that can explain the product features.

How to teach the content:

• You need to maintain an optimal student:instructor ratio for learning. If that’s a challenge, you can use the support of teaching assistants, or create sub-groups.

• Case studies should reflect local environmental, cultural, and universal issues.

• There should be a wide variety of case studies reflecting local populations. 

• Practicals may be done with role play among the students or with wheelchair users. You may recruit wheelchair user volunteers from civil society organizations and sports clubs.

Equipment and tools:

• Availability of a range of basic manual wheelchair products (if wheelchairs are not available, consider alternative solutions for teaching such as going to rehabilitation centers, contacting a local vendor or current users for demonstration).

• Access cushions at rehabilitation centers, have agent(s) supply a variety of cushions for demonstration.

• Tape measure (metal one preferred).

• Basic tools to demonstrate wheelchair features/adjustability (e.g. Allen wrenches, wrench).

• Skeleton.

Documentation: 

• Local prescription forms and/or WHO prescription forms modified to the context. 

• Product specification sheets or brochures inclusive of technical specifications (e.g. components, sizes, adjustability).

Other comments related to contextual adaptation/implementation: Contextual considerations on wheelchairs – Sometimes there are situations female patients do not like particular wheelchair designs. For example: sometimes ladies in Asian countries do not like three-wheel wheelchair designs.

Learning Objective

Describe the different manual wheelchair features and methods of adjustment.

How to Teach

Lecture with demonstrations (video or live) explaining the features of a wheelchairs.

Experience (hands-on) wheelchair features.  

How to Evaluate

Formal/informal assessment e.g. assignment or test.

Learning Objective

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of wheelchair components as relating to both the user and their environment.

How to Teach

Live demonstrations, (invite wheelchair users).

Case studies and videos clips for demonstrating (teaching) and after for active learning (students prepare and discuss).

Workshop (in person) allowing trials on a variety of wheelchairs to experience the effects of wheelchair features.

How to Evaluate

Case studies and videos clips for active learning (students prepare and discuss in groups and report back) (questions provided).

Prepare a prescription relating to case studies. 

Self-reflection and feedback; peer analysis.

Learning Objective

Describe the different cushion features appropriate for basic manual wheelchair users.

How to Teach

Frontal lecture with demonstrations (video or live) explaining the different cushion features.

Experience (hands-on) wheelchair cushion features.

Hands-on exploration of cushions.

Verbally present an overview of selected cushion properties and match to user’s linear measurements.

Case study.

Manuals.

How to Evaluate

Formal/informal assessment e.g. assignment or test or quizzes.

Learning Objective

Relate the cushion features to the user’s postural support needs and/or pressure ulcer risk.

How to Teach

Workshop (including case studies) with trials on different cushions.

How to Evaluate

Group work/peer evaluation re Prescription of cushions according to case studies.

Learning Objective

Determine wheelchair and cushion prescription based on client’s body measurements and functional needs.

How to Teach

Case studies with prepared body measurements.

Live demonstrations (invite wheelchair users).

Practice with peers.

How to Evaluate

Prescription forms evaluated.

Prescription section of the Basic Skills Assessment for Wheelchair Service Providers.