Unlocking Mobility: Enhancing Accessibility Through Wheelchair Skills

Unlocking Mobility: Enhancing Accessibility Through Wheelchair Skills

Experts discuss the essential skills that empower wheelchair users to navigate their environments with confidence.

March 31, 2025 | By Laurie Watanabe

Mobility isn’t just about having the right wheelchair—it’s about knowing how to use it. Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) is deeply personal, with each mobility system tailored to an individual. But even the best-fitted wheelchair won’t reach its full potential without the right skills to back it up. From mastering curbs to maneuvering tight spaces, essential wheelchair skills play a crucial role in fostering independence and confidence.

Fine-Tuning Your Ride: Why Wheelchair Setup Matters

Leslie Wade, MOT, OTR/L, ATP, a regional clinical education manager at Permobil Americas, emphasizes that wheelchair mastery begins with configuration. “An ultralight wheelchair, when set up correctly, can be life-changing,” she says. “A supportive seating system and proper adjustments can make all the difference in mobility and confidence.”

Michelle L. Lange, OTR/L, ATP/SMS, of Access to Independence Inc., agrees. “A poorly configured wheelchair can hold a person back,” she explains. “Training often jumps to learning skills like wheelies or transfers, but if the seating position isn’t right, progress can stall.”

Lauren Rosen, PT, MPT, MSMS, ATP/SMS, program coordinator at the Motion Analysis Center, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital of Tampa, highlights the importance of a well-fitted wheelchair, particularly for children. “If a chair is too difficult to push, a child may choose to stay inside rather than play outdoors,” she notes. “A cumbersome chair can limit activity and independence.”

For power wheelchair users, small adjustments in programming can make a world of difference. “A misconfigured chair isn’t just frustrating—it can be unsafe,” Lange warns. “Features like tracking technology help users maintain a straight course, reducing the need for constant joystick corrections.”

Mastering the Essentials

Given the limited time for rehabilitation, clinicians must focus on the most impactful mobility skills.

For manual wheelchair users, Wade stresses the importance of efficient propulsion. “Proper pushing techniques prevent strain and improve mobility,” she explains. “Safe transfers and navigating tight spaces are also key to independence.”

For power wheelchair users, Lange underscores the value of stability and control. “Many people overlook tracking technology,” she says, “but it’s incredibly useful for maintaining direction, especially outdoors.”

Facing the Unexpected Head-On

Rather than avoiding challenges, Rosen believes in preparing users for them. “Years ago, people with spinal cord injuries weren’t discharged until they could manage curbs and recover from a wheelchair tip-over,” she recalls. “Today, shorter hospital stays mean many critical skills go untaught.”

One such skill? Recovering from a fall. “If your wheelchair tips backward, knowing how to get upright again is invaluable,” Rosen says. Practicing in a controlled environment, like on soft grass with a trained spotter, builds confidence and safety awareness.

Learning from Others and Adapting Over Time

Experienced wheelchair users can be some of the best teachers. “Peer learning is powerful,” Wade notes. “Seeing others successfully navigate challenges builds confidence.”

Skills also evolve. “A transfer technique learned in rehab may look different a year later,” Rosen explains. “As people adapt to their lifestyle, their approach to mobility changes.”

Lange stresses the importance of ongoing assessments. “Mobility needs shift over time. Regular evaluations ensure that individuals remain independent and safe as their abilities and environments change.”

A Lifelong Journey Toward Independence

Mastering wheelchair skills isn’t just about mobility—it’s about freedom, confidence, and quality of life. “Teaching these skills is incredibly rewarding,” Wade says. “The key is to prioritize safety and meet each person where they are.”

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