Course Overview

Dynamic seating can help absorb and diffuse forces generated by wheelchair users, which may reduce stress on seating components and wheelchair hardware. In this Quick Class, Michelle Lange explains how sustained, repeated, rotational, and high-force movements can contribute to equipment damage. The course reviews common areas of wheelchair breakage and the potential consequences for clients, caregivers, participation, and funding. Real-world examples demonstrate how dynamic backs, footrests, and head support hardware can help reduce repeated equipment damage for appropriate users.

Course Objectives

After completing this Quick Class, viewers will be able to:

• Explain how dynamic seating can help absorb and diffuse forces generated by wheelchair users.
• Identify common areas of wheelchair and seating system equipment damage.
• Recognize movement patterns that may contribute to repeated equipment breakage.
• Understand the difference between body weight and forces generated by muscle tone or movement.
• Describe how sustained, intermittent, repeated, and rotational forces can affect wheelchair components.
• Explain how equipment breakage can impact safety, mobility, participation, and caregiver burden.
• Understand how repeated equipment damage may create funding and repair challenges.
• Identify how dynamic backs, dynamic footrests, and dynamic head support hardware may help reduce forces transferred to wheelchair equipment.
• Recognize the importance of considering dynamic seating when repeated equipment damage is associated with client-generated forces.