Download WHEELCHAIR SKILLS PROGRAM (WSP)© VERSION 4.2

WSTP 4.2 Manual
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Training tips for manual •
wheelchairs operated by
wheelchair users
careful to avoid catching any clothing or body parts on the
door handle because injury could occur.
To close the door after passing through it, there are several
options (if the door does not close by itself):
• The wheelchair user may gently swing the door closed
behind him/her, moving the wheelchair quickly
through the door and out of the way.
• The wheelchair user may turn around once through the
doorway and reach forward and pull the door towards
him/her using the other hand to push on the door-frame
or otherwise back away.
• The wheelchair user may go through the door
backwards, pulling the door with him/her.
• The wheelchair user can back up to close the door
using the rear wheel to push on the door.
• Reaching over the back of the wheelchair is effective,
but there is the risk of a rear tip in a manual
wheelchair.
• The learner should not put his/her fingers between the
door and door-frame on the hinged side because they
may get pinched when the door closes.
Progression:
• Start with a door that does not close on its own and
progress to one that does. The trainer can reduce or
add resistance to door opening by applying forces
through his/her hand.
Variations:
• There are many variations in the ways doors open and
close, alone or in sequence with other doors. Also a
variety of door handles exist. A game that provides
opportunities to practice these variations is to have a
door scavenger hunt, seeing how many different
combinations and permutations can be successfully
managed in a period of time.
• The learner can experiment with negotiating the door
in the forwards or backwards direction.
Two-handed propulsion:
• The door-frame can be used to help propel the
wheelchair user through the door (the “slingshot”
Originally approved for distribution and use: April 4, 2013
Current edition: WSTP Version 4.2.2, April 17, 2013