590 chapter 64
Special seats and wheelchairs need to be adapted not only to the individual child, but
also to the particular family, local customs, and community situation. For example:
A ‘high chair’
lets the child
join the family
that eats at a
table.
A ‘low chair’ lets the child
fit in where the family eats
at ground level.
Also, a ‘high’
wheelchair may
be helpful
where cooking
and other
activities are
done high up.
But a low ‘wheelboard’
or ‘trolley’ may be
better where cooking
and other activities are
done at ground level.
It is also important to consider the type of ground surface on which a wheelchair
will be used.
Where land is flat and
fairly smooth, and entrance
into houses is level, a chair
with a small wheel at the
rear may work well and be
less costly to make.
But where there are
curbs, steps, rocks, or
other obstacles, a chair
with small wheels at the
front works better.
On rough, sandy
surfaces wide back
tires and relatively
large, wide front
casters make moving
about much easier.
Narrow back
tires and
small front
wheels allow
for faster
travel on
hard smooth
roads but are
useless on
rough, sandy
roads.
To jump over obstacles,
the child can learn to
do a ‘wheely’ (tilt the
chair back with the
front wheels in the air).
Wide tires, like the wide feet of
a camel, help in sandy places.
Having the right wheelchair for the local situation frees
the child to move about more easily in the community.
Disabled village Children