Development of a Collapsible Folding Manual Wheelchair

The purpose of this research study is to evaluate the Endeavor, a compact, forward-folding,
ultralight manual wheelchair that incorporates small “swing-down” wheels for navigation in
confined areas. This enables access to narrow environments such as those encountered in
offices, restrooms, and transportation settings. When using the small access wheels, the
wheelchair also fits down the aisle of airplanes and collapses to be stowed in the overhead
compartment. It is anticipated that the Endeavor will maximize mobility; increase access to
confined areas; and ease the demands of travel for people with disabilities.

There are two stages to this research project: an Activities of Daily Living Course and an
In-Home trial. The activities of daily living course is located at the Human Engineering
Research Laboratories and simulates daily barriers encountered by wheelchair users.
Subjects will be asked to complete the course in their personal wheelchair and in the
Endeavor three times each. Testing will be completed during a one-day visit that will not
exceed 2 1/2 hours.

For the in-home trial, subjects will be asked to use the Endeavor as their primary means of
mobility for two weeks, which will be compared to using their own wheelchair for two weeks.
During this four-week period a datalogger will be mounted to the subject’s wheelchair(s),
which will give information about distance traveled, average speed, and time used. In
addition to the data-logger, subjects will also be asked to keep a brief, daily, written log
of the activities they performed while in the chair. At the end of the Endeavor trial-use
period, subjects will be asked to complete a questionnaire. There is a 10-week follow-up
period where subjects will be allowed to keep the Endeavor. We will make three calls during
this period to conduct interviews on usage of the Endeavor.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Use a manual wheelchair as a primary means of mobility.

2. Male and females over the age of 18.

3. The ability to adequately fit in a wheelchair with a 16” seat width.

4. A minimum of 6 months experience using a manual wheelchair as primary means of
mobility.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Active pressure sores as reported by subject.

2. History of traumatic upper extremity injury that would prevent you from folding,
lifting and storing a manual wheelchair.