Wheelchair Guidelines

The cover of the Wheelchair Guidelines The Wheelchair guidelines are the result of a collaborative working party that included service users and professionals from the healthcare sector, care sector, Wheelchair Services and staff from specialist voluntary organisations that include the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, the Jennifer Trust for Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Whizz-Kidz. The guidelines aim to provide helpful information about the needs of children and adults with a neuromuscular condition. They are aimed at helping Wheelchair Service staff plan appropriate wheelchair and seating provision, ensuring a good level of service in all areas. Although primarily aimed at Wheelchair Services' staff, the guidelines can also be a useful resource of best practice for users, parents, carers and other healthcare professionals.

"To order the Wheelchair Guidelines call 020 7803 4800 or freephone: 0800 652 6352"

You can download individual chapters from the guidelines - please see below. You can also order a hard copy from the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. The guidelines are free to Members and professionals, however we ask that the latter pay £3 to cover postage and packaging. Please call 020 7720 8055 or email publications@muscular-dystrophy.org

1. Introduction & Key Isuues

Neuromuscular disorders are often extremely limiting, causing users to become dependent upon others for all activities of daily living. Mobility is one of the few areas that with appropriate provision, people can be fully independent and this should always be the goal. Wheelchairs and seating are vital to the lives of many people with these conditions. Appropriate provision at the right time can maximise independence and delay the onset of postural deformities. Delays and incorrect provision not only waste limited budgets but are extremely frustrating for the user and can be detrimental to their health. Please click to download chapter 1 - Introduction & Key Issues (519 kb)

2. Pre-School & Nursery Aged Children

Reduced self-locomotion in an infant and pre-school child as a result of neuromuscular conditions has a direct effect upon their cognitive and emotional development.Most will be unable to develop gross motor skills such as head control, bringing their hands to their mouth, sitting unaided, etc, because of low muscle tone. However, many will have the potential for normal intellectual (cognitive) development. Please click to download Chapter 2 - Pre-School & Nursery Aged Children (445 kb)

3. School Children To Adolescents

This age is a time of ongoing change for children as they move through childhood to adolescence. They are beginning to develop independence in many areas of everyday life, while consolidating early-learnt skills. At play and school, they start to undertake activities independently from their parents and other close adults.This is important as it helps them develop their individuality and build self-esteem. children begin to learn right from wrong and the consequences of actions, both for themselves and others. There is so much to learn and it is a very exciting time for a child. Children start to become interested in how they look, and want to be accepted by friends.They experiment with forming friendship groups and develop close relationships. Please click to download Chapter 3 - School Children to Adolescents (458 kb)

4. Adolescents to Young Adults

Young people become increasingly independent in all aspects of their lives.They go out and meet friends, form relationships, follow their interests and hobbies, participate in a range of activities and begin to think about future educational, employment and social opportunities. Young people with neuromuscular conditions "like any other member of society " have a right to and should expect:

Access to independence
Accessible home environments

Please click to download Chapter 4 - Adolescents To Young Adults (620 kb)

5. Adults

Neuromuscular conditions can often be extremely debilitating and many users become dependent on others for all activities of daily living. Mobility is one of the few areas that with appropriate provision, people can be fully independent and this should always be the goal.The correct wheelchair can enhance learning and concentration, reduce fatigue, and prevent social isolation, thereby reducing the likelihood of depression. Please click to download Chapter 5 - Adults (533 kb)

6. Principles of Seating

Children and adults with progressive neuromuscular disorders may have very specific seating needs and meeting those needs can be challenging for Wheelchair Services. Wheelchairs were originally designed to transport people from one place to another and now they have evolved to rank among the most important therapeutic and rehabilitative devices. Please click to download Chapter 6 - Principles of Seating (651 kb)

7. Assessment Guidelines

There are no physical markers to accurately predict how quickly a condition will progress, therefore, it is prudent to aim to work in a proactive manner. Please click to download Chapter 7 - Assessment Guidelines (255 kb)

8. Seating and Posture Issues - Possible Solutions

This chapter includes additional information for professionals who prescribe wheelchairs, about the needs of users with neuromuscular conditions. Please click to download Chapter 8 - Seating & Posture Issues - Possible Solutions (625 kb)

9. Features and Benefits

This chapter includes information about manual and powered wheelchair product solutions that might help people with neuromuscular conditions. Please click to download Chapter 9 - Features & Benefits (619 kb)

10. Planning for Different Environments

The introduction of the first wheelchair, whether manual or powered, will inevitably raise concerns for users and carers about access to everyday environments such as home, school, university,workplace and outdoors. Using a wheelchair will have implications for all these environments as well as affecting private and public transport decisions. Please click to download Chapter 10 - Planning For Different Environments (974 kb)