PRACTICAL INTRODUCTION TO TRAINING WHEELCHAIR SKILLS TO MANUAL WHEELCHAIR USERS

Research evidence has been accumulating that demonstrates the safety and superior efficacy of a formal approach to wheelchair skills training of wheelchair users and their caregivers. The Wheelchair Skills Program (WSP), available free on the Internet (www.wheelchairskillsprogram.ca), includes useful evaluation and training tools to help practitioners translate this research evidence into clinical practice. In the past year the group has moved to the new WSP Version 4.1. The WSP consists of the Wheelchair Skills Test (WST) and the Wheelchair Skills Training Program (WSTP). The WSP is based on motor-learning literature and the WST has been found to be reliable and valid. The WSP is designed for the testing and training of manual and power wheelchair users as well as caregivers. This Workshop includes a Power Point introduction to the Wheelchair Skills Program, its principles, the current body of the evidence and recent improvements to the Program. The practical portion will provide participants with an opportunity to test and train each other in a range of caregiver and manual wheelchair user skills. On completion of the session, attendees will better understand how the WSP may be implemented in their own settings.