Videos of Skills for Wheelchair Users
May 27, 2010

Skills	Clip Label
Brakes	- Applying and releasing push-to-lock brakes. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Push-to-lock brakes: the model initially fails to put the brakes on fully, then does so properly. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video
Armrests	- Removing and replacing armrests. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video
Footrests	- Flipping the footplates up, swinging the footrests away, then removing the footrests. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Swinging the footrests away, then restoring them. The model is simulating paraplegia. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video
Rolling forwards	- Rolling forwards, using two-handed propulsion, on a smooth level surface. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Rolling forwards, using a one-arm-alternating technique. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Crossing a street on a snowy day. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video
Rolling backwards	- Using two-hand propulsion, on a smooth level surface. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video
Turns in place	- Performing 180° turns to the left and right inside a 1.5m-diameter circle. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video
Moving turns	- Making turns around a 90° corner, forwards and backwards, to the left and right. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Performing moving turns by swinging the arms and upper body, without touching the wheels. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Using the environment to turn around a corner (“drag” turn). Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Using the environment to turn away from an object (“push-off” turn) while moving forwards. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Using the environment to turn away from an object (“push-off” turn) while moving backwards. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video
Sideways maneuvering	- Moving sideways to the left, by a series of forward and backward movements. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Moving sideways using the “bunny hop” technique. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video
Reaching the ground	- Maneuvering wheelchair to pick up an object from one side. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Moving pick-up by holding the object against the wheel. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video
Reaching a high object	- Maneuvering the wheelchair to reach a high object from the side. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Standing on the floor with the footrests in place to reach a high object straight ahead. Acceptable, but not recommended Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Standing on the footrests to reach a high object straight ahead. Not acceptable. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video

Transfers out of and into the wheelchair	- Performing a sideways transfer without sliding board. The model, simulating paraplegia, fails to move the footrests out of the way. This is acceptable, but may not always be the safest and most effective method. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video
Folding and unfolding the wheelchair	- Folding and unfolding the wheelchair from the side, while sitting. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video
Doors that open away from the wheelchair	- Proceeding forwards through a door that opens away from the person. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Using the environment to help move forward through an opening (“slingshot” method). Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Using a door and frame to help move forward (“slingshot” method) through a door that resists opening. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video
Doors that open towards the wheelchair	- Proceeding forwards through a door that opens towards the person. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Proceeding forwards through a door that opens towards the person, better illustrating the user crossing over with one hand to propel the opposite wheel. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Proceeding forwards through a door that opens towards the person, using one arm and one leg. Closing the door is not shown. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video
Obstacles, low	- Popping the casters off the floor while moving, to get over a 2cm-high obstacle. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Popping the casters over a 2cm-high obstacle, using both stationary and moving approaches. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Popping the casters over a 2cm-high obstacle, without using the hands. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Popping the casters over lines on the floor, as a learning exercise. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Moving forward and backwards over an obstacle in a wheelie position, as a learning exercise. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video
Obstacles, high	- Using the stationary method: popping the casters over a 13cm-high obstacle, backing up to change the caster direction, then powering over the obstacle. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Using the momentum method over a 13cm-high obstacle, including a transient wheelie. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Using the momentum method over a 13cm-high obstacle, including a transient wheelie. The wheelchair has barely enough distance between the front and back wheels to permit the skill. Also, the footplates strike the ground. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Using a full wheelie over a 13cm-high obstacle. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Using a mirror to assist in timing caster pop over a 13cm-high obstacle, as a learning exercise Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video
Cross-slope	- Propelling the wheelchair across a 5 ° cross-slope, with the downhill side on the right, then the left. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video
Increased rolling resistance, carpet	- Using two-handed propulsion, in the forward direction. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video
Increased rolling resistance, gravel	- Using two-handed propulsion and transient wheelies. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Using two-handed propulsion and a full wheelie. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video
Pot-holes	- Using transient wheelies over 15 and 30cm pot-holes. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Using the transient-wheelie method outdoors. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Negotiating a 15cm pot-hole backwards with one arm and one leg. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Negotiating a 30cm pot-hole backwards with one arm and one leg. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Using a full wheelie to negotiate a 15cm pot-hole. Not recommended for larger pot-holes. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video

Inclines, ascent

- Ascending 5 ° incline, using two-handed propulsion, forward. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Ascending incline, using two-handed propulsion, uphill in snow. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video

Inclines, descent

- Descending 5 ° incline, using two-handed method, forward, on all four wheels, letting the hand-rims slide through the fingers. The spotter is not touching the shoulder. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Descending 7.5 ° incline, forward, on all four wheels performing turns (“slalom”) while descending. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Descending incline in snow, requiring two-handed propulsion. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Descending a 7.5 ° incline in the wheelie position. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Good spotting technique during 7.5 ° incline wheelie forward descent. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Poor spotting technique during 7.5 ° incline wheelie forward descent. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Using carpet on a 5° incline to increase rolling resistance during a wheelie forward descent, as a learning exercise. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Stopping part way down a 7.5 ° incline. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Starting a wheelie part way down a 7.5 ° incline. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Performing turns (“slalom”) while descending a 7.5 ° incline in the wheelie position. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Performing a 360° turn in the wheelie position on a 7.5 ° incline. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Descending a long incline outdoors in the wheelie position. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Descending a steep incline outdoors on grass in the wheelie position. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video

Level changes, ascent

- Ascending 5cm level change, using two-handed propulsion, forwards. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Popping casters over lines on floor while moving forward, as a learning exercise. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Ascending 5cm level change, using a backwards rear-hitch method. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Using the momentum method to ascend a 10cm level change: popping too much, popping too early, then correctly. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Popping casters up on and down from a 10cm level change, using a mirror for feedback. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Using the momentum method to ascend a 10cm level change, with a mirror to assist in judging the timing. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Ascending a 10cm level change, using the full-wheelie method. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Ascending a 10cm level change, using the rear hitch method, as a learning exercise. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Player - Ascending a 15cm level change, using the momentum method. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Player

Level changes, descent

- Descending 5cm level change, using two-handed propulsion, forwards. This is not safe on larger level changes. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Descending 15cm level change, Using two-handed propulsion and the straight-backwards method. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Descending a 10cm level change in the wheelie position, using a mirror to see where the edge is, as a learning exercise. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Descending a 15cm level change using the standard forward wheelie method. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Descending a 15cm level change using the standard forward wheelie method, but the casters do not touch down as soon as they should. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Descending a level change outside onto a street. Checking for oncoming traffic is important, but is not shown here. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video

Wheelies, no-hands rest	- Tipping the wheelchair backwards, using the pull-back method. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Releasing the brakes like this should be avoided, because it allows the rear wheels to move forward (the “submarine” effect). Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Using good spotter technique to avoid the “submarine” effect. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Tipping the wheelchair backwards, using the roll-back method. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Using good spotting technique during the roll-back method. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Resting against a 10cm level change. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Resting against a level change that is too low, allowing a rear tip. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video
Wheelies, stationary	- Attempting to perform a wheelie. The fixed rear anti-tip devices make this unsuccessful. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Performing a stationary wheelie for 10s in a 1.5m-diameter circle. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Using a spotter strap to limit the extent of a rear tip during training. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Using a backward-then-forward approach to achieve wheelie takeoff, then using a forward-only approach. This is followed by takeoffs while moving forwards slowly and more quickly. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Using the reactive balance strategy, with the rear-wheel movement following the tips. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Using the proactive balance strategy, keeping the rear wheels in motion to avoid tips. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Training in a pothole, as a learning exercise. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Training with a level change and cinder blocks (initially tightly pressed against the wheels, then more loosely), as a learning exercise. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Performing a stationary wheelie in gravel. In addition to being useful in negotiating gravel, this can be used as a learning exercise when first learning to perform wheelies. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Wheelie on a soft surface (a gym mat here). In addition to being useful when negotiating soft surfaces, this can be used as a learning exercise when first learning to perform wheelies. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Performing wheelie takeoffs with too little, too much, then the correct amount of popping force. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Performing a wheelie with two fingers of one hand. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video -Using a foot to assist takeoff for a one-handed wheelie. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Maintaining wheelie balance with the eyes open, then closed. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Performing wheelies with the knees extended, then flexed. More force and a greater pitch angle is needed when the knees are extended. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Performing wheelies with the body in different positions. When the trunk is flexed, more force and a greater pitch angle are needed. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Performing wheelies with the rear axle moved forward. Less force and a smaller pitch angle are needed. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video
Wheelies, rolling forwards	- Rolling forwards, one hand at a time. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Using two hands at the same time, starting with a single push, as a learning exercise. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Using two hands at the same time, and a series of pushes. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video
Wheelies, rolling backwards	- Rolling backwards, one hand at a time. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Using two hands at the same time, starting with a single push, as a learning exercise. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Using two hands at the same time, and a series of pushes. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Rolling backwards on carpet. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Rolling backwards up an incline, as a learning exercise. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video
Wheelies, turns in place	- Starting with minimal turns, progressing to 90°. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Turning 180° to the left and right. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Turning in a complete circle. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video
Wheelies, moving turns	- Moving turns forwards, starting with a wide radius 90° turn, progressing to a narrow radius one. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Moving turns backwards, starting with a wide radius 90° turn, progressing to a narrow radius one. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Moving turns, forward and backward, to left and right, using two-handed propulsion. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Moving turn forwards, 180°. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Moving turn backwards, 180°. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video

Falling backwards	- Falling twice onto a thick elevated mat and getting back upright. In both, the model pulls on the hand-rims and flexes the neck. In the first fall, the spotter controls the chair until the fall and later assists in getting back upright. In the second fall, the model falls and gets back upright independently. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Falling improperly and dangerously. The model lets go of the rear wheels, which shoot forward (the “submarine” effect). Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Falling onto a low mat. The model pulls on the hand-rims and flexes the neck. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Getting back upright after a fall, seen from two sides. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video
Vehicle loading	- Placing a folding wheelchair with removable rear wheels into a car trunk. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video
Escalator	- Ascending an escalator: getting on, seen from the back and front. This is not recommended without a spotter. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Ascending an escalator: getting off, seen from the back and front. This is not recommended without a spotter. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Descending an escalator: getting on, seen from the front and back. This is not recommended without a spotter. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video - Descending an escalator: getting off, from the front and back. This is not recommended without a spotter. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video
Stair descent	- Descending stairs backwards. This is not recommended without a spotter. Quicktime Video / Windows Media Video