Participation of Manual Wheelchair Users in the Community

Participation of Manual Wheelchair Users in the Community: The Relationship to Wheelchair Skills Capacity

To explore the relationship between ability to do different wheelchair skills and the participation and quality of life of wheelchair users in and around their home and community. The investigators study hypothesis:

1. Self-reported capacity of wheelchair skills (ability to do wheelchair skills) is strongly related to self-reported participation.
2. Self-reported capacity of wheelchair skills (ability to do wheelchair skills) is related to the average daily distance traveled in their wheelchair.

Inclusion Criteria:

• have a manual wheelchair for home and community use;
• use a manual wheelchair at least once a week;
• have a minimum of 3 months experience using a manual wheelchair outside the hospital setting;
• be over the age of 18;
• be able to read and understand English and follow verbal and visual instructions;
• be competent to give informed consent;
• be willing to take part in the study, including signing the consent after carefully reading it;
• not have been under significant bed rest for the past month.