Space Requirements for Wheeled Mobility - University at Buffalo ...

Anthropometric ResearchAnthropometry of users of wheeled mobility aids: A criticalreview of recent work, Bruce Bradtmiller, Ph.D.AbstractThis commissioned paper and presentation summarized recent advancements inthe anthropometric study of wheeled mobility aid users, and addressed how thisinformation should be used appropriately in design and standards development.The strengths and weaknesses of studies performed by Ringaert, et al. (2001)and Stait, et al. (2000) are described in terms of their target populations, samplingstrategy, and measurement methods. Among the strengths of both studies areclear definitions of the target populations, and the consideration of the mobilitydevice and device user as one unit. Weaknesses included potential measurementerror and lack of detailed information about how the measurements used weretaken. The example of an automatic teller machine was used to demonstrate thedesign challenges that are associated with accommodating both mobility aid usersand ambulatory individuals through one “universal” design. It also demonstratedthe need for policy makers to have clear understanding of the target userpopulation, the anthropometric characteristics of the user population, and themeasurement methods used to collect to the anthropometric data to effectivelyapply anthropometric data in standards development.Key Points• Standard procedures for combining data from multiple data sets are needed. Itis unlikely that funding for a single major anthropometric study (with respect tothe sizes of samples typically used for the general population) of persons withdisabilities will become available, so it will be necessary to combine the resultsof smaller studies performed around the world to understand the body sizesand physical abilities of these user groups. Pooling data across studiesrequires clear definitions of sample inclusion criteria and measurementdefinitions.• Recent anthropometric studies on wheeled mobility aid users consider themobility aid device and device user as one unit, and allow data to be stratifiedby device type in addition to age and gender subgroups. This is very importantsince there is evidence to suggest that the demographics of wheeled mobilityaid users and the types of chairs used has changed in recent years (e.g., Staitet al., 2000); and, the physical characteristics of mobility devices are likely toincrease the variability in anthropometric dimensions and therefore will effectrecommendations in the development of guidelines.• Some recent anthropometric studies on wheeled mobility aid users includechildren, while others do not. While children need to be accommodated inSpace Requirements for Wheeled Mobility 34