eprintid: 15662
rev_number: 18
userid: 1343
importid: 805
dir: disk0/00/01/56/62
datestamp: 2012-10-05 18:33:26
lastmod: 2019-02-02 14:56:33
status_changed: 2012-10-05 18:33:26
type: article
metadata_visibility: show
contact_email: rcooper@pitt.edu
item_issues_count: 0
eprint_status: archive
creators_name: Cooper, RA
creators_name: Molinero, AM
creators_name: Souza, A
creators_name: Collins, DM
creators_name: Karmarkar, A
creators_name: Teodorski, E
creators_name: Sporner, M
creators_email: RCOOPER@pitt.edu
creators_email: 
creators_email: 
creators_email: 
creators_email: 
creators_email: 
creators_email: 
creators_id: RCOOPER
creators_id: 
creators_id: 
creators_id: 
creators_id: 
creators_id: 
creators_id: 
title: Effects of cross slopes and varying surface characteristics on the mobility of manual wheelchair users
ispublished: pub
divisions: sch_hrs_healthandrehabsciences
full_text_status: public
abstract: Surface characteristics of a cross slope can impact the ease with which a manual wheelchair (MWC) user propels across a surface. The purpose of this research was two-fold. Phase I of this research surveyed MWC users to identify cross slope scenarios that they reported to be more difficult to traverse compared to other common driving obstacles. Our survey results showed that, overall, cross slopes were harder to propel across than narrow and manual doors, and cross-slopes in inclement weather conditions were equal or more difficult than gravel and rough-surfaces. Cross slopes with severe angles and those with compound angles (slope with cross-slope) were the most difficult to traverse. Phase II focused on identifying the responses (e.g., avoid, explore alternative, experience a sense of insecurity, no effect) people had when viewing pictures of various cross-slopes scenarios (e.g., narrow space, compound angles, extreme weather) that wheelchair users encounter. These results showed that people reported that they would avoid or feel insecure on some cross-sloped surfaces, like the weather, that are not within our control, others, like compound angle and curb-cuts on slopes, that can be addressed in the construction of pathways or sidewalks. Copyright © 2012 RESNA.
date: 2012-06-01
date_type: published
publication: Assistive Technology
volume: 24
number: 2
pagerange: 102 - 109
refereed: TRUE
issn: 1040-0435
centers: cen_other_herl
id_number: 10.1080/10400435.2012.659326
pmid: 22876732
mesh_headings: Adult
mesh_headings: Aged
mesh_headings: Aged, 80 and over
mesh_headings: Architectural Accessibility--methods
mesh_headings: Construction Materials
mesh_headings: Female
mesh_headings: Humans
mesh_headings: Locomotion
mesh_headings: Male
mesh_headings: Middle Aged
mesh_headings: Questionnaires
mesh_headings: United States
mesh_headings: Wheelchairs
citation:   Cooper, RA and Molinero, AM and Souza, A and Collins, DM and Karmarkar, A and Teodorski, E and Sporner, M  (2012) Effects of cross slopes and varying surface characteristics on the mobility of manual wheelchair users.  Assistive Technology, 24 (2).  102 - 109.  ISSN 1040-0435     
document_url: http://d-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu/15662/1/licence.txt