Novita Research Report - 2004 to 2007 - Novita Children's Services

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58ImplicationsStatusThe project was able to identify all research activity in this area from around the world,develop a working acoustic system for alerting a wheelchair user of a potential safetyhazard, and prototype a semi-autonomous system for active wheelchair control. This projecthas implications for increasing the safety of driving a powered wheelchair, particularly fornew drivers, and for protecting the environment around them from being damaged due toaccidental bumps.OngoingNovita client Edward andfather Kevin with the prototypeultrasonic sensor system
59Project titleContributorsSummaryTransporting kids and their wheelchairs – parents’ perceptionsHugh Stewart (University of South Australia), Dr Lloyd Walker, Meredith Frogley, LouiseDuBois, Chris Hern (Flinders University)The importance of independent mobility on the quality of life of children with disabilitieshas been recognised since the 1980’s and the rate of prescription of power wheelchairs forincreasingly younger children continues to grow (Wiart et al, 2003). However, a number ofparents and therapists at Novita reported that the process of finding and modifying a vehiclein which to transport children and their wheelchairs is problematic.Rehabilitation professionals like occupational therapists (OT) and physiotherapists (PT)are often the first people parents will ask for help once they recognise a transport problem.However, a study by Blake et al (2006) in the USA that involved surveying more than 1000rehabilitation therapists found that more than 50% reported little knowledge or experiencewith transport of children with special needs. Assuming the experience is similar in Australia,many therapists are then in the same position as the families, with limited knowledge andexperience of the problem.The aim of this study was to improve the process and resources available to families whowant to purchase a vehicle for their family, and to understand how Novita families have solvedthis problem in the past.MethodThe research questions were:1. Describe the vehicles and modifications used by parents to transport their children andwheelchairs.2. Describe the funding arrangements used to purchase the vehicle.3. What information would parents who have purchased a vehicle consider most importantfor parents wishing to buy a vehicle?A survey questionnaire was devised by three of the authors (based on their knowledge ofthe issue) to collect quantitative descriptive data and some qualitative data. It was reviewedby Novita OT and PT staff and appropriate changes were included into the final survey. Anintroductory cover sheet and the questionnaire with a post-paid return envelope were mailedto all parents of children who used a wheelchair in three of the five Novita regions. 358questionnaires were sent out and the responses were analysed by one of the research teamwho was independent of the initial survey construction.Results18% of questionnaires were returned and then grouped as follows based on the chair typeand use of a vehicle hoist: manual (53%), manual with hoist (21%), power (1%), power withhoist (11%), and both power and manual (14%). Most families with children in manual chairsat home, or able to transfer from their chair, used a regular car or station wagon. Once a childused a power chair at home the families needed to consider a van or other arrangement.Many families did not gain funding for the hoist and vehicle modifications due to either lackof knowledge, ineligibility or being unable to wait. A thematic analysis of the responsessuggested that other parents should obtain information in three main areas – informationabout their own child and family transport needs, information about vehicle features andoptions, and knowledge about the funding and purchasing process.
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Research Report2004-2007Connecting
Page 3 and 4:
Welcome to Research at NovitaWelcom
Page 8 and 9: List of project summariesProject ti
Page 10 and 11: 10Project summariesEnhancing partic
Page 12 and 13: 12MethodThree groups of children ag
Page 14 and 15: 14Project titleContributorsFundingS
Page 16 and 17: 16ResultsThe lowest, highest and me
Page 18 and 19: 18ResultsImplicationsEmergent theme
Page 20 and 21: 20Project titleContributorsSummaryM
Page 24 and 25: 24ResultsThree participants were re
Page 28 and 29: 28MethodA quasi-experimental design
Page 30 and 31: 30Evaluation of measurements, inter
Page 32 and 33: 32ImplicationsFor children and thei
Page 34 and 35: 34ResultsFive students (25%) respon
Page 36 and 37: 36ImplicationsStatusFor consultants
Page 38 and 39: 38Project summariesEvaluation of se
Page 44 and 45: 44Project titleContributorsSummaryC
Page 46 and 47: 46Results The survey was sent to 22
Page 48 and 49: 48Project titleContributorsSummaryW
Page 50 and 51: 50Project summariesProducts and tec
Page 52 and 53: 52ResultsThe prototype URC that was
Page 54 and 55: 54ResultsImplicationsStatusReferenc
Page 56 and 57: 56MethodThe following process was u
Page 60 and 61: 60ImplicationsStatusReferencesFamil
Page 62 and 63: 62ResultsThe workshop series began
Page 66 and 67: 66ResultsImplicationsStatusThree im
Page 68 and 69: 68MethodResultsImplicationsStatusAt
Page 76 and 77: 76MethodThe drive for developing an
Page 78 and 79: 78ImplicationsThe ongoing use and i
Page 80 and 81: 80ImplicationsStatusThis system is
Page 82 and 83: 82Other refereed publicationsNguyen
Page 84 and 85: 84Australian Group on Severe Commun
Page 86 and 87: 86Mobility 2005, Exeter, UK• Outc
Page 88 and 89: 88Grants and awards received*Novita
Page 90 and 91: 902005 Australian and New Zealand A
Page 92: Head Office171 Days RoadRegency Par
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Novita Research Report - 2004 to 2007 - Novita Children's Services

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