Manual Wheelchairs, Power Assist Positioning Chairs: Tilt-in-Space & Recliners

Manual Wheelchairs, Power Assist Positioning Chairs: Tilt-in-Space & Recliners

Speaker: Lily Lam, COTA, ATP Beau Cuthbertson, ATP

General Info

Open to:	Occupational Therapists (OT), Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTA), Physical Therapy (PT), Physical Therapy Assistants (PTA) who are looking to advance their knowledge related to seating and mobility.
Course Date:	Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Time:	Course from 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Location:	Zoom online
Handouts:	Electronic handouts will be shared with all attendees prior to the course via email. Please print or download the materials prior to the course for your use.

Course Description: This course provides a comprehensive overview of complex wheeled mobility and seating systems. The session will explore the clinical decision-making process for manual wheelchairs, power-assist devices, and advanced positioning chairs. Participants will analyze the impact of various manual wheelchair configurations, including standard versus ultralightweight and folding versus rigid frames, on a client's occupational performance. The course will also differentiate between tilt-in-space and recline systems, reviewing their clinical indications for managing pressure, tone, and respiratory function to support participation in daily activities. The session will feature a demonstration of power-assist technologies, highlighting their role in enhancing independence. Case-based discussions will emphasize a client-centered approach, integrating functional goals, caregiver support, and diagnosis progression to select equipment that maximizes a client's engagement in meaningful occupations.

Learning Objectives/Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

Analyze the impact of various manual wheelchair frame designs (e.g., rigid, folding, ultralightweight) on client propulsion, independence, and safety.
Differentiate between the clinical indications for tilt-in-space and recline systems, including their respective benefits for pressure redistribution, tone management, and respiratory function.
Evaluate a client's functional goals, endurance, and caregiver support to determine the appropriate application of power-assist technologies.

Assessment of Learning Objectives/Learning Outcomes: Question and answer, course feedback form.

Instructional Methods Used: Lecture, Discussion, PowerPoint presentations

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