Affiliations: [a] University of Pittsburgh, Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, VA Medical Center, 7180 Highland Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA | [b] University of Pittsburgh, Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, 5049 Forbes Tower, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA | [c] University of Pittsburgh, Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, 5044 Forbes Tower, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA
Abstract: The wheelchair and its seating system has been evolving since the sixth century. Much of this evolution has been driven by social attitudes, medical capabilities, and technological innovations. Recently, wheelchairs and seating have developed into devices designed to provide empowerment for their users. In some cases, this has increased the complexity of the devices themselves, and in most cases, this has increased the complexity of matching the user's needs and desires with the appropriate mobility and seating devices. This paper provides an historical overview of seating and mobility issues and practices. The reader is taken from the sixth century to what we perceive as the state-of-practice in the twenty-first century. This paper addresses issues of assessment, credentialing, education, design, and standards.
