A Weighty Issue: Power Wheelchairs vs Ramp and Lift Restrictions
Friday, April 18, 2014
Add Comment
I found a major flaw in the new Integrated Accessibility Act Regulations. It doesn't specify load capacity on ramps or lifting devices for wheelchairs. Once more, how does one find out how much their individual mobility device weighs? Most wheelchairs have customized seating and other features to meet their individual needs. This means the weight of each mobility device can be vastly different.
This poses a problem for people who take public transit or need to depend on a ramp or a lifting device to enter a building, a transportation conveyance, or a different level in a building.
I just learned that the weight of my new power wheelchair, without me in it, is 405 pounds. The medical supplier said it weighed approximately 300 pounds. How can they underestimate the weight by more than 100 pounds?
I couldn't even guess there was that big a difference because my last wheelchair weighed 268 pounds and it was 26 inches wide by 32 inches long. My new wheelchair is 26 inches wide by 28 inches long. In other words, it looks smaller and more compact. It has customized seating, medically prescribed power tilt, and an elevating feature, which I bought because it substantially increases my level of independence. I had no way of knowing that the actuators, to power the tilt and elevating devices, would weigh that much more. I didn't even buy the optional lighting package and carrier basket that can go with this new chair, and I don't need a respirator holder or crutch holder. For the weigh-in, even my bag and the purse were removed, so I am shocked. I'll eventually be getting a new tray. This will, unfortunately, add to the weight.
Having this much extra weight is causing a major problem because ramps, lifting devices, and bridge plates into transportation conveyances and in buildings, have weight restrictions; some of which I now exceed.
For example, I've seen:
There are no government documents or publications which stipulate the minimum weight capacity for a public ramp and lift, or restrictions to the weight of a wheelchair. This means there is no way for a client to learn this important piece of information before buying a new wheelchair. It's impossible to make an informed choice; one that would proactively help one to avoid encountering new barriers.
I took the time to search through the building code and the highway traffic act because I wanted to see if I could find a stipulation about the weight restrictions of a mobility device, or for ramps and lifting devices designed to accommodate the mobility device. It appears there is nothing. The closest I could find was information about the Technical Standards and Safety Act, (of Elevating Devices).
When I was considering what brand of wheelchair to buy last Sept. I had a very simple shopping list. I said the wheelchair must be no wider than 26", it must have a small turning radius, it must travel at a decent speed indoors and outdoors, and it must not exceed the limits of the public transit services I must depend upon. I was able to control the width and length issue, but I was obviously not able to control the weight.
The reason given as to why the supplier couldn't give me an accurate answer on the weight of the chair before finalizing the order, was because each wheelchair is customized according to the prescription and the client's needs and/or wants. All these things will have an influence on final weight of the chair, I agree. But I still don't understand why the medical supplier doesn't have an obligation to weigh the final product and share that knowledge with the customer before a sale is finalized.
The only reason I was finally able to get the chair weighed is because the lifting equipment at one location was frequently breaking down with me on it. No reasonable explanation for the failure could be found, so it was decided to make sure the weight I'd been given was accurate. If that lift didn't keep breaking down, I would still have no idea how often I was jeopardizing my safety, and that of others, by using these devices when the chair was that much over the weight restriction.
It was not easy to get the chair weighed because of liability concerns. The hospitals and nursing homes can no longer weigh someone who isn't an in-patient. However we finally managed to get help from KIMCO, a scrap metal yard. You can imagine my shock when I found out the supplier was underestimating the weight by more than 100 pounds! Can you imagine if I was flying somewhere and had been that far out with an airline?
Fortunately, I can still meet the weight restrictions of most devices. I can do this by removing the side panels, the headrest, my purse, and the bags off my chair.
On vertical lifts that are run by a key, I must insist that the operator runs it by turning the key from outside of the lift. If they stand inside the lift to run it, as many do, there is a high chance we'll be exceeding the weight restriction of the lift. I've seen the weight restrictions in these lifts range from 600 pounds to 750 pounds.
The dilemma I face now is, now that I know I exceed the weight restrictions in some places, I must do without. Which is better - being oblivious and exceeding the weight restriction, or doing without by not pushing my luck, and that of others that could be operating one of these lifts.
The really annoying part is I had no idea I'd be blocking myself from so much by buying this chair. It's too late to return it and I'm now going to be stuck with it for at least 5 more years.
If I had been properly informed, believe me, I would have bought another model of chair or I would not have bought the seat elevating device. The elevating feature was optional. I bought it because I was sick and tired of not being able to reach things. I've lived in this so-called accessible apartment for 14 years and I've never been able to reach my kitchen cupboards. Now I can. In stores I can't reach things off shelves or access the PIN pads that are mounted too high and for standing people only. Now I can.
However, when the choice comes between reaching things and using a ramp or a lift, believe me, I can do without reaching things on my own. I can't do without the access to transit and/or buildings. Now I'm really mad.
I will be addressing this oversight in the AODA Standards at the Mayo Moran Review. I'm also going to look into reducing the weight of this chair, and if necessary, go to small claims court.
This poses a problem for people who take public transit or need to depend on a ramp or a lifting device to enter a building, a transportation conveyance, or a different level in a building.
I just learned that the weight of my new power wheelchair, without me in it, is 405 pounds. The medical supplier said it weighed approximately 300 pounds. How can they underestimate the weight by more than 100 pounds?
I couldn't even guess there was that big a difference because my last wheelchair weighed 268 pounds and it was 26 inches wide by 32 inches long. My new wheelchair is 26 inches wide by 28 inches long. In other words, it looks smaller and more compact. It has customized seating, medically prescribed power tilt, and an elevating feature, which I bought because it substantially increases my level of independence. I had no way of knowing that the actuators, to power the tilt and elevating devices, would weigh that much more. I didn't even buy the optional lighting package and carrier basket that can go with this new chair, and I don't need a respirator holder or crutch holder. For the weigh-in, even my bag and the purse were removed, so I am shocked. I'll eventually be getting a new tray. This will, unfortunately, add to the weight.
Having this much extra weight is causing a major problem because ramps, lifting devices, and bridge plates into transportation conveyances and in buildings, have weight restrictions; some of which I now exceed.
For example, I've seen:
- A bridge plate between a train and a platform that's rated for a maximum of 500 pounds.
- An inclined wheelchair platform lift, that travels over stairs, that's rated for a maximum of 495 pounds.
- A porch lift and lifts in commercial buildings (that must be operated by another person), that are rated at a maximum of 600 to 750 pounds.
- A ramp into the double-decker Megabus with a maximum weight restriction of 500 pounds.
- Lifts into specialized transit vehicles that have a maximum capacity of 600 to 1,000 pounds, depending on the age of the vehicle and the choices that were made by the transit provider at the time of buying the vehicle.
There are no government documents or publications which stipulate the minimum weight capacity for a public ramp and lift, or restrictions to the weight of a wheelchair. This means there is no way for a client to learn this important piece of information before buying a new wheelchair. It's impossible to make an informed choice; one that would proactively help one to avoid encountering new barriers.
I took the time to search through the building code and the highway traffic act because I wanted to see if I could find a stipulation about the weight restrictions of a mobility device, or for ramps and lifting devices designed to accommodate the mobility device. It appears there is nothing. The closest I could find was information about the Technical Standards and Safety Act, (of Elevating Devices).
When I was considering what brand of wheelchair to buy last Sept. I had a very simple shopping list. I said the wheelchair must be no wider than 26", it must have a small turning radius, it must travel at a decent speed indoors and outdoors, and it must not exceed the limits of the public transit services I must depend upon. I was able to control the width and length issue, but I was obviously not able to control the weight.
The reason given as to why the supplier couldn't give me an accurate answer on the weight of the chair before finalizing the order, was because each wheelchair is customized according to the prescription and the client's needs and/or wants. All these things will have an influence on final weight of the chair, I agree. But I still don't understand why the medical supplier doesn't have an obligation to weigh the final product and share that knowledge with the customer before a sale is finalized.
The only reason I was finally able to get the chair weighed is because the lifting equipment at one location was frequently breaking down with me on it. No reasonable explanation for the failure could be found, so it was decided to make sure the weight I'd been given was accurate. If that lift didn't keep breaking down, I would still have no idea how often I was jeopardizing my safety, and that of others, by using these devices when the chair was that much over the weight restriction.
It was not easy to get the chair weighed because of liability concerns. The hospitals and nursing homes can no longer weigh someone who isn't an in-patient. However we finally managed to get help from KIMCO, a scrap metal yard. You can imagine my shock when I found out the supplier was underestimating the weight by more than 100 pounds! Can you imagine if I was flying somewhere and had been that far out with an airline?
Fortunately, I can still meet the weight restrictions of most devices. I can do this by removing the side panels, the headrest, my purse, and the bags off my chair.
On vertical lifts that are run by a key, I must insist that the operator runs it by turning the key from outside of the lift. If they stand inside the lift to run it, as many do, there is a high chance we'll be exceeding the weight restriction of the lift. I've seen the weight restrictions in these lifts range from 600 pounds to 750 pounds.
The dilemma I face now is, now that I know I exceed the weight restrictions in some places, I must do without. Which is better - being oblivious and exceeding the weight restriction, or doing without by not pushing my luck, and that of others that could be operating one of these lifts.
The really annoying part is I had no idea I'd be blocking myself from so much by buying this chair. It's too late to return it and I'm now going to be stuck with it for at least 5 more years.
If I had been properly informed, believe me, I would have bought another model of chair or I would not have bought the seat elevating device. The elevating feature was optional. I bought it because I was sick and tired of not being able to reach things. I've lived in this so-called accessible apartment for 14 years and I've never been able to reach my kitchen cupboards. Now I can. In stores I can't reach things off shelves or access the PIN pads that are mounted too high and for standing people only. Now I can.
However, when the choice comes between reaching things and using a ramp or a lift, believe me, I can do without reaching things on my own. I can't do without the access to transit and/or buildings. Now I'm really mad.
I will be addressing this oversight in the AODA Standards at the Mayo Moran Review. I'm also going to look into reducing the weight of this chair, and if necessary, go to small claims court.
Please read my other Blogs:
Transportation: http://wheelchairdemon-transit.blogspot.com
Health Care: http://wheelchairdemon-health.blogspot.com
0 Response to "A Weighty Issue: Power Wheelchairs vs Ramp and Lift Restrictions"
Post a Comment