Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Purpose: To summarize the evolution of wheelchair skills training approaches in Canada and describe the evidence-based strategies and rationale for implementing each approach. Course Summary: The wheelchair, an important form of assistive technology, can enable mobility and social participation for individuals with mobility limitations. However, acquisition of a wheelchair alone does not ensure safe or efficient use. The World Health Organization recognizes the critical importance of training in wheelchair provision, a position well supported by evidence. Although historically a clinical goal, due to limited resources and time, Canadian clinicians typically spend two hours or less providing wheelchair skills training. However, Canada has also been at the forefront of innovation, developing a variety of approaches to wheelchair skills training. The Wheelchair Skills Program (WSP) can be used to train users of manual and power wheelchairs and scooters in institutional and community-based settings. As it continues to evolve, the WSP is a gold standard against which to assess novel training programs. Peer-led training incorporates the important psychological construct of self-efficacy and can be effectively administered in the community with minimal reliance on clinicians. Tablet-based home training is another innovative approach that can augment clinical training, increase amount of practice, and may reach consumers in remote locations. Virtual-reality simulators and video games are additional strategies for home-based power wheelchair training that could augment clinical training. Finally, remote tele-operation may address safety issues during power wheelchair training through simultaneous trainer/user control, which may offer increased access to power mobility for those previously deemed unsuitable.