Development of a Lightweight, Adjustable, Modular Pediatric Wheelchair

Principal Investigator/s: Rory A. Cooper, PhD

Co-Investigator/s: Emily Zipfel, BFA; Jonathan Pearlman, MSc

2004-2006

Although manual wheelchairs have improved, there are still important innovations to be made in pediatric products.  Children with mobility disabilities require wheelchairs that meet both their mobility and seating needs.  Manual pediatric tilt-in-space wheelchairs are a useful solution; however, they are frequently bulky and difficult to adjust to a child’s unique needs.  Additionally, the products are expensive and thus out of reach to many wheelchair users in the U.S. and overseas.  Our goal is to design a simple pediatric tilt-in-space wheelchair that is adjustable, modular, ergonomic, comfortable, easy to use, lightweight, durable, and low cost.