Learning Objectives
As a result of this continuing education activity, participants will be able to:
- List 3 options to control a tablet computer through a power wheelchair.
- Identify options to control a smartphone through a power wheelchair.
- Recognize how to use the power wheelchair as a power source for other technologies.
Introduction
Michelle Lange: Today, we will talk about advanced power wheelchair applications. The power wheelchairs you might see advertisements for on the television are more like your grandma's wheelchair. They are a consumer level power wheelchair, and typically do not have very advanced seating. They have captain’s seats, like what would have in a minivan, and joysticks. All that type of chair does is drive.
When we get into complex, rehab power wheelchairs, we have a lot more options. We can provide various access methods to clients who may be unable to use a joystick. We can provide access to power seating, such as tilt in space, or recline. We can also take advantage of brand-new features which allow the client to use the access method that is typically used for driving to also control devices and the environment through infrared transmission. There are lots of things we can do and we will be talking about that during this webinar.
Advanced Features
As I said we are going to be talking about these advanced features and those include three main areas. These are interfacing, mouse emulation, and infrared transmission. Mouse emulation allows a client to use the driving method to emulate a mouse on a computer or even a tablet. Infrared transmission allows control of devices in the environment through the access method, such as the television, lights, simple appliances. Interfacing allows the driver of the power wheelchair to control other assistive technology such as a communication device through the driving method.
Interfacing-Power Wheelchair
Interfacing allows the client to control an external assistive technology device such as speech generating device, also known as a communication device, an external mouse emulator, used to access a computer typically, and an external EADL (electronic aids to daily living). There are pros and cons to interfacing, specific components that are needed, and some programming that is required.
