Independent Wheelchair Transfers in the Built Environment: How Transfer Setup Impacts Performance Phase 2: Final Report

Highest and Lowest Heights Obtained

Table 9 shows the 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 95th percentiles for protocols A through C. These data represent the ability of the participants in the study to complete a transfer. The 5th percentile lowest and highest transfers attained were similar to the average WMD seat height (22.1 inch) for all protocols. The 50th percentile participants were able to transfer to a simple platform (no grab bars or a backrest present) that was 28 inches high with respect to the floor and 14 inches low relative to the floor (about 6 inches above and below average wheelchair seat to floor height).  For all of the minimum height transfers, the 75th and 95th percentiles were at the minimum transfer height possible with the station (10 inches). For protocols A and B one person could transfer to the maximum height of the station (43 inches) and was an outlier in the study.  The relative height differences for the high and low transfers can be seen in Addendum F.

Table 9. Maximum attainable height variable percentiles (in inches)