Wheelchair table for art
The Suffolk East branch of REMAP was asked by an Occupational Therapist in Social Services to provide a wheelchair table for art, suitable for someone with left side paralysis following a stroke.
The Challenge
Our client wished to be able to use the wheelchair table both for painting in various media at home and for sketching when out and about. The table needed to be horizontal for watercolour work but tilted for sketching. A particular requirement was to provide a pot for water and something to hold paint brushes and sketching pencils.
Following some discussion, it was decided to provide two pots: one for water and the other for brushes and pencils. Furthermore it was decided to put these on the righthand side where they could most easily be reached. Fortunately, the wheelchair’s joystick unit could be swung out of the way.
The solution
It was decided to suspend a rectangular aluminium tube below each armrest for the table supports to slide into. The tubes remain permanently attached to the wheelchair. However they are fitted to the armrests by wing screws so can be removed easily without use of any tools.
Because the bracket for the joystick unit is mounted under an armrest, the aluminium tubes had to be mounted below the bracket, at least on the righthand side. In discusion with our client it was decided that the best height for the table (when horizontal) would be the same height as the armrests. The pieces of aluminium that bring the table up to the desired height have long strap hinges attached to allow the table to tilt. A simple aluminium prop can be swung up to hold the table in its tilted mode.
The table is fitted with a raised edge to prevent sketching pads slipping down. It was uncertain whether this may get in the way when painting, so it was made removable.
The benefit
Our client really enjoys sketching and painting. The custom table is much more suitable for art than a commercial table or tray and the design has taken into account the particular needs of our client following a stroke.
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