[ezrachar]

Hi.

I am looking for some help, if anyone is willing. I am doing my Masters Thesis on Wheelchairs and Appearance. Specifically, my research is on the percieved competence (how others percieve an individual) in a wheelchair, and if the perception is altered based on the number of extrinsic supports and type of wheelchair that an individual is in.

Information that I am looking for -

Do you believe that the appearance of your wheelchair causes you to feel/be more stigmatized against? Do you wish that you had less "stuff" on your chair, i.e. footplate, laterals, pommels, harness etc.

Do you feel that if you had less visible equipment for positioning on your wheelchair that others would see you as more competent/able?

If you have any resources for me, that would be great as well. All i'm finding is research on how people view an individual in a wheelchair - typically manual with no extrinsics on it whatsoever... sitting upright with no supports. I am having a hard time finding anything specific to more elaborate wheelchair setups.

This is my background research for a possible phD project involving the creation of an iinclusive seating harness that can be worn under clothing to reduce the amount of 'stuff' worn by a wheelchair user and also as a sort of aid for proper positioning for those who are reliant on others to place them in their wheelchairs - i'm sure many of you have been improperly positioned before!

Thanks so much, and I appreciate all your help!

Miriam

[Kwag_Myers]

Spend a day reading through these forums. There's already plenty on the subject - with pictures.