Material Matters: The Substance and Design of Seating Components

The materials and design of seating components, in conjunction with the mobility base set up, will directly impact a client’s skin and tissue health, posture and alignment as well as functional ability. Unfortunately, the design and material choices of seating products are often overlooked in the decision-making process. This one-hour on-demand session will focus on a basic science of materials approach in the selection of appropriate wheelchair seating products. Examples will revolve around the advantages and limitations of seating solutions based upon scientific principles, design factors and how the materials choices are applied clinically to address the clients’ needs. Specific attention will focus on how client movement throughout the day, changes in posture over time, and clinical and best practice guidelines can impact the seating and positioning component decision- making process. By the end of the course, clinicians will have a better understanding of how to match strategies for pressure management and postural stability, client presentation and product performance characteristics.