Expansion of the Wheelchair Users Registry - Triumphs and Tribulations

Emily E. Teodorski, BS^1,2; Shirley G. Fitzgerald, PhD^1,2; Annmarie R. Kelleher, MS, OTR/L, ATP^1,2; Rory A. Cooper, PhD^1,2

¹Human Engineering Research Laboratories, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA;

²Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, University of Pittsburgh

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this registry is to enable the research team to facilitate wheelchair related research, to obtain a representative sample that can be studied further and to identify potential subjects for future research studies. The Wheelchair Users Registry is a database of individuals over the age of 18 who are interested in research studies related to wheelchairs and assistive technology. The registry currently includes 907 wheelchair and scooter users from across the United States. Initial analysis indicates that we currently have representation similar to that of the national statistics related to wheelchair users.

KEYWORDS

Demographics, database, wheelchair, registry

Emily Teodorski, BS
Human Engineering Research Laboratories
VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
7180 Highland Drive
151R1-H
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
412-365-4850;
teodorskie@herlpitt.org