Page 298 - Handbook of Electronic Assistive Technology

Chapter 9 • Powered Mobility 287

5� A swing-aside controller can make a significant difference in an educational setting,
and may negate the need for a tray.

Workplace Considerations

Use in the workplace has many of the considerations described previously for the
school/college environment. In the United Kingdom, employers have a duty under the
Equality Act (2010) to ensure that employees with a disability have access equal to
that of their able-bodied peers. This means that the work environment must be made
wheelchair accessible where access is required, so the usual environmental assess-
ment will need to be conducted by the person assessing the wheelchair. Again in the
2
United Kingdom, the Access to Work scheme may offer assistance with purchase costs
of a wheelchair. A powered seat elevator may be required to allow access to different
height work surfaces if these are required in the person’s daily work roles. It may be
that the workplace has a separate powered chair to the home environment. It may also
be that the employee manages with a manual chair at home, but to be able to perform
their work role they need a powered chair.

Psychological Adjustment to Using a Powered Wheelchair
The transition into a powered chair can be difficult for many individuals who may see it as
confirmation of a higher level of disability, and so it is often delayed for as long as possible.
Practically, it could make the individual far more independent. It can be costly and take
significant time and effort to get to the final provision of the chair, particularly where long
waiting lists exist in statutory services.
Individuals sometimes feel that a powered chair is a significant burden on the family
because it may limit choices of destinations and often requires alternative transport to
be sought. Therefore it is important to discuss fully the pros and cons of using a powered
wheelchair and support the individuals through the process.

Summary

Provision of powered mobility requires comprehensive assessment and analysis of multifac-
torial and complex data. Many conflicting requirements can arise and must be prioritised
with the person to determine the most suitable piece of equipment. A wide variety is avail-
able on the market and can be sought from a number of providers, including private pur-
chase or charities. Having a powered wheelchair could mean increasing one’s independence
and ability to participate in society if time is given to explore all the relevant options.

2 https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work.