Riding Safely
By Buning, Mary-Ellen; Manary, Miriam; PN: Paraplegia News, Vol. 62, No. 5, pp. 18-21Publication Date: May 2008
Article discusses the advantages of using a WC19-compliant wheelchair as a vehicle seat. For individuals unable to transfer to a regular vehicle seat, wheelchairs compliant with the voluntary industry standard passed in 2000 and described in ANSI/RESNA WC 19: Wheelchairs for Use as Seats in Motor Vehicles offer several benefits: (1) Reduced risk of injury for wheelchair riders involved in vehicle crashes, as WC19-compliant chairs are crash tested; (2) Easier and faster wheelchair securement, as these chairs have clearly marked, easy-to-reach securement points where tie-down hooks and straps are attached; and (3) Improved compatibility with proper use of seatbelts, as the WC19 lap belt has standardized connection hardware to allow its use with a vehicle-mounted shoulder belt. For those who prefer to use a seatbelt that is anchored to the vehicle, a WC19 wheelchair is tested and rated to determine its compatibility with vehicle-anchored safety belts. A website listed in the article, http://www.rercwts.org/WC19.html, lists all crash-tested wheelchairs and offers consumer information about wheelchair transportation safety.
Published by: PVA Publications (Website:http://www.pvamagazines.com)
Paralyzed Veterans of America (Web Site: http://www.pva.org )
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number J55166
