Contents:

Introduction, Wheelchair Safety in Motor Vehicles

1.Transit-Option Wheelchairs listed by Manufacturer – as of 7/05

2. Wheelchair Tie-down and Occupant Restraint Systems (WTORS)

3.Wheelchair standards sources

Wheelchair Safety in Motor Vehicles

Crashworthiness is coming into its own in wheelchair products.  Transit-option wheelchairs are increasingly available for more and more special needs.  It is important to include transportation safety considerations in the purchase decision for a wheelchair.  The SRN product list below is needed due to the difficulty of obtaining WC-19 information about many products.

Crashworthiness concerns must be balanced against other therapeutic, developmental, and legal factors.  The specific needs of individual users may lead qualified and thoughtful professionals to select non-compliant wheelchairs for them, however.  Such factors include pressure sore prevention, degree-of-tilt for stability, and implications for independence and control with differing tasks.

Resources for two communities
Wheelchair manufacturers and suppliers, therapists, and special education professionals are not always familiar with community highway safety networks or information resources.  Similarly, Child Passenger Safety Technicians tend not to be involved with networks and resources devoted to mobility equipment, therapy, or special education apart from their own roles in child restraint installation.  SAFE RIDE NEWS hopes to raise awareness and provide meaningful assessment tools in both communities so that children are both mobile and protected.

            Deborah Davis Stewart, editor, SAFE RIDE NEWS, and Sue Miller Smith

Safe Ride News Publications has gathered the most current listings for easy reference and linkage.  We would appreciate any comments from users that would make this resource more useful.

The following trends and cautions come from SRN’s updated survey (7/05) of transit-option manufacturers.

The number of models and manufacturers on the list continues to rise.  Since the June 2003 survey, the market has added two additional manufacturers and lost none (except by merger of one into another).  Manufacturers have added at least 24 new models (for simplicity, some configuration package lines are counted as one “model,” even though each can be sold in various combinations). 

Discontinuations were limited, and generally were accompanied by additions or new models.  A couple of previously reported models were renamed, sometimes with expanded features.

Transit-options products now exist to fill more gap areas, especially for higher-weight users (including adults), wider needs in the tilt-in-space range, power mobility options (including to higher weights), and transit-option docking designs that reduce need for vehicle modification without giving up ability to self-propel or adapt the wheelchair.

Mix-and-match seating components partnerships – to overcome the absence of a WC-20 standard that allows generic frame testing for stand-alone seating and attachments -- remained largely the same as before.

Retrofit challenges and differences also remained largely the same.

 

Transit-Option Wheelchairs listed by Manufacturer – as of 7/05

NOTE: This list is by manufacturer currently selling transit-option equipment in the U.S. according to national voluntary ANSI/RESNA WC-19 standards.  Manufacturer names are in red.  If a foreign manufacturer has an exclusive or primary U.S. distributor, that name is noted second, also in red.  The list does not refer to all additional distributors, who generally can be found by calling the primary contacts, who also then can verify who is current or approved.   

SRN makes no warranty or endorsement regarding information shared in this list.  Assessors are advised to confirm all facts, strategies and timing with pertinent, qualified professionals in the necessary fields and with the original sources.  Facts may change at any time, so the list may be obsolete or incomplete.

Retrofitting and alterations: Caution to assessors

Retrofit or alteration decisions need to be evaluated carefully.  Some wheelchair manufacturers will retrofit transit-option capability, others will not (meaning crash dynamics, vehicle choice, and future-needs assessment must be considered as part of the original order). Some who used to retrofit stopped doing so.  Retrofitting in the field, rather than shipping back to the factory for installation, is unusual, but does occur. Some companies do not sell transit-option-related parts separately, such as for replacement parts, but only as part of new purchases.

Check extensively with manufacturers regarding implications of any proposed purchase and prospect for changes or alterations, including adding and removing accessories from that same manufacturer or substituting parts from other manufacturers.  In addition, getting clear verification of allowances may involve investigating beyond front-line customer service staffs or the norms for “typical” purchases or results.  It may be necessary to consult company technical departments, product line managers, and other related professionals across key disciplines such as transportation, funding and therapeutic specialties.

Manufacturers also differ regarding use or replacement of their equipment after a crash or after that model is replaced or upgraded.  Consult manufacturers about such policies and service provisions.

WC-19 wheelchair manufacturers – 7/03

Accufast Inc. – Manitoba, Canada, 866-222-8366, no web site (mailing address: 251 Cree Crescent, Winnipeg, MB (Manitoba) R3J 3X4).  Models: GOVAN+ wheelchair with separate docking station system, and GOVAN+ Flexibase Rehabilitation Seating Platform. The wheelchair model resembles an upholstered automotive bucket seat with standard four-point tie-down anchors for use in any vehicle, but also comes with a docking station alternative to tie-downs (certified to the same SAE J2249 standard). The station allows the bucket seat chair to replace vehicle bench seating in Chrysler, Ford or General Motors minivans without other vehicle modifications. The Flexibase model replaces the upholstered chair (which is not easily self-propelled or adjusted), with a more skeletal seating system to which specialized WC-19-capable seating, positioning, and hardware components can be attached to increase rehabilitation function, such as positioning and self-propelling.   Both models are certified to U.S. ANSI-RESNA WC-19 and Canada’s parallel CSA Z604 standard.    (Accufast uses AES components.  See AES).

Adaptive Equipment Systems (AES), 800-237-2370, www.aesys.com.
(AES was recently absorbed as a division of Sunrise Medical, below, but customer service for AES  transit options still conducted by the AES Baltimore office directly, not via Sunrise Medical’s office or web site.)  AES makes only seating and attachment hardware, not wheelchair frames. Models:  AES Seating Systems with Universal hardware, Lil’ Kiddos Seating Systems with Universal hardware, and BASIS Seating with its Transit Option hardware.  These amount to a menu of configurations and parts, involving a range of shapes and cushioning types. To fulfill WC-19 crashworthiness certification for the frame/seating package as a whole, AES-authorized dealers or manufacturers of transit option-capable wheelchair frames ship the frames to the AES factory, where the seating and hardware are installed and certification is completed.  Warranties and instructions are separate by manufacturer, but coordinated.

Alvema – Swedish manufacturer; exclusive U.S. distributor: Sammons Preston Rolyan U.S (SPR)., an Ability One company, 800-323-5547, www.sammonsprestonrolyan.com or www.sammonspreston.com.  SPR out-sources some of its distribution to www.adaptivemall.com. Models: The Alvema Pixi Stroller Pushchair is available via both sites.  The Alvema Mio-Multi-Positioning Chair is available only via Adaptive Mall.

Bergeron Health Care (BHC), 800-371-2778, www.specialtomato.com
Model: Special Tomato brand Multi-Positioning Seat Push Chair (kits/small and large). This collaboration uses BHC seating and attachments on a stroller base made exclusively for Special Tomato by Convaid, tested as a package by BHC, then sold exclusively by BHC and Sammons Preston Rolyan (SPR). Durable medical dealers/insurers are to order via SPR (www.sammonsprestonrolyan.com), private-pay customers are to order via BHC (www.adaptivemall.com).  While BHC offers a Special Tomato model version that meets FMVSS 213 (for installation on a vehicle seat), BHC says school buses should use only the WC-19 model.

Convaid, 888-266-8243, www.convaid.com
Models: EZ Rider Basic, C-2000, Clipper, Convertible, Cruiser, Metro, Scout, Safari, Rodeo. (See collaborations with AES and Bergeron Health Care/Special Tomato.)

Freedom Designs, 800-331-8551, www.freedomdesigns.com
Models: Freedom 2, Freedom 2 Kids, Freedom SP3, Freedom HP (all of which are variations of the renamed Dyno model), Libre tilt, Gizmo tilt, and Small Fry. Discontinued: Spectrum 1 and 3.  Invacare allows use of Freedom Design components on Invacare transit option chairs, but Freedom Design does not allow use of other manufacturers’ components.

Invacare, 800-333-6900, www.invacare.com
Models: Orbit, Spree XT, Spree XT Limited, Spree GT (formerly Solara Jr.), Pronto M-71 Jr. (pediatric power chair), adult models Compass XE and Solara and Solara 2G. Invacare collaborates with AES and Freedom Designs, above, for mixing and testing of seating components within WC-19 certification.  Discontinued: Allegro, second-generation Ranger X Junior Storm (power mobility).

Mulholland Positioning Systems, Inc., 800-543-4769, www.mulhollandinc.com.  Model: Acrobat. 

Ottobock, 800-328-4058, www.ottobockus.com
Models: Kimba, Kimba Spring (formerly Kimba Plus), Lisa, Eco-buggy and adult models B500 (power), B600 (power) and Avantgarde.

Patron, Czech Republic manufacturer selling in U.S. via exclusive distributor Clarke Health Care 888-347-4537, www.clarkehealthcare.com.
Models: Buggy models BugEe and BugEe Junior.  The adult Corzo and Corzo Basic models, available currently in Europe, will be available in the U.S. later in 2005.

Pride Health Care/Quantum Rehab Division, 866-800-2002, www.quantumrehab.com
Model: "Panda on Pride," a collaboration using Snug Seat Panda model seating and attachments configured specifically for the Quantum Dynamo mobility base and crash-tested as a joint venture. Certified Quantum dealers may order the seating and base separately and then assemble the sections in the field (attachments are designed for "drop in, bolt on" securement) or may order the parts pre-installed from the Quantum factory. (See R82)

R82 of Denmark, products distributed exclusively in the U.S. by R82's subsidiary, Snug Seat 800-336-7684, www.snugseat.com
Models: Cheetah wheelchair, Tiger stroller base, Panda seating (on Tiger base). See also, Pride Health Care/Quantum.

Sunrise Medical, 800-333-4000, www.sunrisemedical.com
Models: Zippie, Zippie 2, Zippie IRIS, Zippie GS, Zippie TS; Kid Kart Express, Kid Kart Xpress with power pack (power), Kid Kart Mighty Lite and Kid Kart TLC; Quickie 2HP, Quickie IRIS tilt, Quickie Z-500 (power mobility), and Quickie 2. Weight capacities on some models have been upgraded, some to 350 lbs.  See AES for seating exchange option. Discontinued: S-525 and S-646 (power mobility). 

Thomashilfen International of Germany, distributed exclusively in the U.S. via ExoMotion LLC (www.exomotion.com, 866-870-2122) which also out-sources distribution to dealer representatives (such as Adaptive Mall, above, as of September 2005).   Models: Jazzy EASyS 1 and 2, Lex EASyS 1 and 2, and Max EASyS 1 and 2.

            

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Wheelchair Tie-down and Occupant Restraint Systems
(WTORS) 7/05

NOTE:  Wheelchair securement consists of two systems: one to secure the wheelchair (generally four-point tie-downs or docking-style system that secure to solid frame) plus a separate restraint system (such as lap-shoulder safety belt configuration securing the occupant in the wheelchair/vehicle).  There are specific crash-test parameters for both.  The term WTORS is a single reference but with the understanding that two systems are used in combination.  They may be sold separately or together.   

Listing below does not imply endorsement, warranty or other suitability and the list may be obsolete or incomplete or otherwise inadequate for safety assessment.  Assessors should consult manufacturers for the vehicles and wheelchairs involved and other pertinent specialists who know the physical and legal needs.  Listing also does not warrant that all tie-down and restraint products sold by a company comply fully with SAE J2249.  Check products for labels stating compliance with SAE J2249 voluntary crashworthiness standard, and confirm all facts and strategies with the sources and pertinent qualified professionals.

Some vendors below provide videos or training and technician certification programs, while others do not.  Some government specifications may be more tuned to some types of WTORS than others, and individual rather than program purchasers may have other issues.   

Creative Controls Inc., 800-539-7237, www.creativecontrolsinc.com

EZ-Lock, 225-214-4620, www.ezlock.net

Independent Mobility Systems (now a division of Braun Corp., www.braunlift.com), 800-IMS-VANS, www.ims-vans.com)

Kinedyne, 800-526-3539, www.kinedyne.com

New Haven Equipment, 213-749-8181, www.newhaven-usa.com

Orthosafe Systems International Inc., 609-587-9444, www.orthosafe.com

Q’Straint, 800-987-9987, www.qstraint.com

SureLok, 866-787-3565, www.sure-lok.com

Tie-Tech Inc., 425-743-5863, www.tietechinc.com

 

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by Sue Miller Smith CPST-I,
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11/06