A SURVEY OF MARGINAL WHEELCHAIR USERS

Significant numbers of wheelchair users experience difficulties with p ropulsion due to impaired upper limb function (termed marginal users f or this study). A survey of wheelchair users in Tayside, Scotland, was carried out to identify and describe the marginal user population and their propulsion difficulties. Subjects for the survey were identifie d from the records of National Health Service wheelchair users at Dund ee Limb Fitting Centre. Subjects were interviewed at home about their wheelchair-propelling experiences. Survey results indicated that margi nal users represent approximately 15% of the occupant-propelled wheelc hair population. The average age of the marginal users surveyed was 48 years and the modal diagnosis was multiple sclerosis. Fifty-nine perc ent of the marginal users questioned felt that their wheelchairs were not adequate for their requirements.