Wheelchair Step
A Paediatric Occupational Therapist contacted us with the following challenge:
A child with Cerebral Palsy has a tiny tracks electric wheelchair: https://www.tinytrax.com/
The wheelchair seat is 45cm off the ground, so slightly too high for her to sit straight into on her own, and she is getting too big to lift. A step to go in front of the wheelchair would be ideal, allowing her to transfer independently into her wheelchair. However, because the gap between the wheels is narrow (only is 33cm), there is no “off-the-shelf” product which will fit; most bath steps seem to be at least 40cm wide.
The OT asked us to make a wooden or plastic step with a non-slip top: 31cm wide x 70cm long x 14cm tall. Strength and stability were important, as the child needed to turn around on it.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the OT offered to do contactless collection from the Remap Engineer, and deliver to the client.
The solution
Using the measurements supplied by the OT, the Engineer made a plywood step, painted it, and applied non-slip strips to the top surface.
It was collected by the OT, and delivered to the child.
The benefit
The child can now transfer in and out of her wheelchair safely and independently.
- Skills involved:
- Issues Addresses:
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- Solution:
