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Examining User Product Compatibility for users of Wheelchairs to Enhance Functional Mobility Jordan Romeo, OTDS | DOCTOR OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PROGRAM | HUNTINGTON UNIVERSITY

Project Description

The purpose of the present doctoral capstone project will focus on identifying product user compatibility for a new assistive device intended to assist clients who utilize wheelchairs in the occupation of functional mobility. Clients who utilize wheelchairs may experience difficulties when navigating through the community. This concern often creates psychosocial and physical barriers that often contribute to difficulties when passing through non-automatic opening doors, specifically referred to as manual doors. Within the environment wheelchair users are located, research indicates independent mobility to be a critical factor for all individuals, regardless of age, to engage in an active social life (Abdullah & Mohammed, 2017). Thus, without adequate engagement in functional mobility, it may lead to a decline in participation in meaningful activities. The development of this project focuses on conducting research to analyze the perceived user product performance of individuals that use a wheelchair in their daily lives when passing through manual doors. Specific research areas addressed regarding the product include general user feedback, proof of concept, and safety testing. Following data analysis, digital presentation materials will be created to support the dissemination of improving functional mobility skills for wheelchair users. Providing this population with valuable knowledge and skills to improve functional mobility, will contribute to enhancing their quality of life and participation in activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs).

Needs Assessment

• The task of pushing forward the wheelchair through the door while keeping the door open could be challenging for some wheelchair users, especially manual wheelchair users (MWUs), because MWUs need to hold the door open with one hand while propelling forward with the other hand (Abdullah & Mohammed 2017).

• An estimated 1.5 million people in the United States use a manual wheelchair (MWC) according to the National Health Interview Survey on Disability (Kaye et al, 2002).

• Limited assistive door opening devices available to help the population successfully pass through manual doors (Taylor, 2018).

• Minimal local resources available to assist individuals who use wheelchairs with passing through manual doors to aid in the occupation of functional mobility.

Literature Review

• In many industrialized countries, professionals who construct buildings must follow regulations to accommodate individuals with disabilities. This is not always the case, as many buildings are built with multiple manual doors.

• Manual doors impact the ability to perform functional mobility as users of wheelchairs report difficulties maneuvering their wheelchair and operating these types of doors (Sief et al., 2016).

• According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (1990), public buildings are required to meet accessibility to accommodate persons with disabilities. Modifications to make existing manual doors open automatically can be difficult and costly.

• Future projections indicate by the year 2030, the number of older adults will double to 71 million. Older adults age 65 or older are four times more likely to utilize a wheelchair in their daily lives than adults age 18 to 64 (Taylor, 2018).

• The projected growth in the number of users of wheelchairs reflects an increase in the number of clients who will require assistance with functional mobility within their homes and community.

Area of Focus

• Research | Advocacy

Area of Practice

• Rehabilitation & Disability

Target Population

• Users of Wheelchairs

Primary Site

• Huntington University

Secondary Site

• Silver Birch Assisted Living Facility of Fort Wayne

Mission Statement

• To research user product compatibility and provide functional mobility skill enhancements for clients who utilize wheelchairs.

Vision Statement

• To increase the quality of life and participation in daily activities for individuals who utilize wheelchairs.

Project Outcomes

Outcomes for this project include 8 deliverables

Deliverable #1: Survey Analysis Document

Deliverable #2: User Instructional Manual

Deliverable #2: Finalized Product Logo

Deliverable #3: Training Video focused on improving functional mobility with the use of specialized adaptive equipment

Deliverable #4: Educational website aimed to enhance knowledge of functional mobility resources

Deliverable #5: Finalized Research Manuscript

Deliverable #6: Presentation of research findings

Deliverable #7: Comparative Analysis - Functional Mobility of Users of Wheelchairs

Deliverable #8: Presentation of research findings

Research

• Developed research questions to obtain users of wheelchairs and clinician perspectives on the adaptive door opener

• Received IRB approval

Research Poster

Future Directions

• My doctoral capstone project advanced my research skills and professional development, allowing me to apply the knowledge acquired to client outcomes and goals.

• Obtaining information to improve performance in the occupation of functional mobility will support occupational therapy perspectives to increase the quality of life for clients.

Contact Information

Email: romeoj@huntington.edu

References

Abdullah, J. S., & Shaikh Mohammed, J. (2018). Low-cost low-tech obstacle pushing/gliding wheelchair accessory. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 14(8), 849–858. https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2018.1539130

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 (1990). https://www.ada.gov/pubs/adastatute08.htm

Kaye HS, Kang T, LaPlante MP. Wheelchair Use in the United States. National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research; Washington, DC: 2002. pp. 1–4.

Sief, S. A., Pruski, A., Bennia, A., & Handouzi, W. (2016). Swinging doors accessibility assessment for a wheelchair user. Technology and Disability, 28(1,2), 53–66. https://doi.org/10.3233/tad-160444

Taylor, M. D. (2018). Americans with Disabilities: 2014. U.S. Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2018/demo/p70-152.pdf

Credits:

*Photo credits adobe spark