Independent Living Website Guide

I came across as website today about the Independent Living Website

This website is truly amazing by how extensive its reach is.

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At first I came across the site because of a clothing project it took on "about fashion, clothing and vanity from a seated perspective". It provides free clothing patterns, specifically designed for wheelchair users.  There are patterns for men and women, that include modifications, helpful tips, and starting from scratch. It even includes how to measure yourself, or be measured, considerations when buying fabric, and piece by piece assembly instructions. A jacket example, from the project, is seen below:

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In continuing my investigation of the website, I soon discovered this Sweden based but internationally reaching website is made by the Independent Living Institute (ILI) - a policy development center focused on providing resources for individuals with disabilities. Their mission statement, included from their About Us page on the website, is quoted below:

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"The Independent Living Institute (ILI) is a policy development center specializing in consumer-driven policies for disabled peoples' freedom of choice, self-determination, self-respect and dignity. Our ultimate goal is to promote disabled people’s personal and political power. Towards this end we provide information, training materials and develop solutions for services for persons with extensive disabilities in Sweden and internationally. We are experts in designing and implementing direct payment schemes for personal assistance, mainstream taxi and assistive technology."

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Impressed? So am I! 

Even more so by how they define Independent living on their main page (take a peek!)

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Visit their links page where you are provided with access to 703 links, from topics such as accessibility, aging, education, study, travel and more.  And, as always, each link will often lead you to more and more. There is so much very specialized learning and knowledge that this site offers, and answers that it can lead you to.

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And what, Socrates, is the food of the soul?

Surely, I said, knowledge is the food of the soul.       Plato

Seating and Positioning

 

I was very discouraged with my first wheelchairs. It took me a couple of years to figure out that your chair is part of your attire. A chair should fit you like a well-tailored suit and its design blend with your personality. When all this works together you hardly know it's under you! ~ Frank (T12 SCI) from Spinal Cord Injuries: Management and Rehabilitation by Sisto, Druin, Sliwinski

 

A properly fitted wheelchair will facilitate maneuvrability, control, and your general mobility to move about and do what you need to do. A poorly fitted chair will do quite the opposite - it can make a ramp seem like an impossible impasse, prevent your maneuvrability, and can negatively affect your overall safety and posture.  

 

So then, how does someone decide what your wheelchair seating and positioning needs are? To answer that question, you should have a look at New South Whales Spinal Cord Injury Service website, specifically their Seating Education modules.

 

The website offers 10 educational modules, each with additional resources such as print-outs, videos, and quizzes. Here is the list of the ten modules:

 

1 - Spinal Cord Injury and Seating

2 - Developing a Client Profile

3 - Hands-on Assessment

4 - Body Measurements

5 - Evaluation of Seating and Wheeled Mobility Systems

6 - Seating Made Easy

7 - Postural Interventions

8 - Pressure Management

9 - Manual Wheelchair

10 - Power Mobility

 

Also, check out the other links on the site, there is so much, its worth spending a few afternoons to go through.