ReachAble

A wheelchair is used to provide functional mobility for individuals who find it difficult to walk, or cannot walk. The wheelchair may be self-propelled or pushed by a caregiver.

• Always use your seat positioning strap, if available.
• Do not sit or transfer into the wheelchair unless the wheelchair is fully open and brakes are on.
• Do not lean forward out of the wheelchair any further than the length of the armrests. When leaning forward, ensure that the wheel casters are

pointing forward.
• Do not attempt to reach objects if you have to pick them up from the floor by reaching down between your knees.
• Do not shift your weight toward the direction you are reaching as the wheelchair may tip over.
• Do not lean over the top of the back upholstery. This may cause you to tip over.
• Do not attempt to ride over curbs or obstacles. Doing so may cause your wheelchair to tip over and cause bodily harm to you or damage to the wheelchair.
• Do not tilt the wheelchair without assistance.
• Do not use an escalator to move a wheelchair between floors. Serious bodily injury may occur.
• Do not attempt to move up or down an incline with water, ice or oil film on it.
• Do not move across, go up, or go down ramps or slopes greater than a 9-degree angle.

Transferring out of the wheel chair;
Ensure brakes are on when transferring into or out of the wheelchair.

Moving the wheel chair:
For Self-Propelled,
• To move forward, release the brakes, hold the handrims attached to the rear wheels, and push forward.
• To move backward, release the brakes, hold the handrims attached to the rear wheels, and pull back.
• Try to push the handrim around as far as possible. This will allow easier and smoother movement of the chair
For Assistant-Propelled,
When assisting a wheelchair user, use good body posture for your own safety. Keep your back straight and bend your knees whenever tipping the

wheelchair or moving over curbs.The assistant must always let the wheelchair occupant know what he or she is doing, and avoid sudden movements

• Going up curbs: Approach the curb squarely. Ask the wheelchair occupant to anticipate tipping, and to lean back. Tip chair back by stepping on

tipping bar, and position both front wheels on top of the curb. Lift back wheels up to curb by pulling up on hand grips.
• Going down curbs: Roll down curbs slowly with the back wheels first.Tipping a wheelchair without a tipping bar requires two assistants, one at either end of the wheelchair.

Unfolding (Opening) the Wheelchair;
From Standing Position,
• Move in front of the wheelchair.
• Push down and out on the sides of the seat upholstery, keeping your fingers pointing inwards (towards the center) to avoid getting them trapped. Push down until the wheelchair is fully opened.
From Sitting Position,
• On the wheelchair, grasp the back cane closest to you.
• Tilt the wheelchair towards you, raising the opposite wheels off the ground.
• Push downward on the top of the armrest closest to you where the seat upholstery is attached until the wheelchair is fully open.
Folding (Closing) the Wheelchair;
From Standing Position,
• Push the footrests into the upward position.
• Move beside the wheelchair.
• Grasp the center of the seat upholstery at the front and the back.
• Lift up until the wheelchair is fully closed.
From Sitting Position,
• Push the footrests into the upward position.
• With both hands, grasp the middle of the seat upholstery at the front of the back edge and lift up.
• Continue to close the wheelchair by grasping the back cane furthest from you and pulling the armrest towards you.