Identifying when adjustment is needed
It is important to understand when the seat may need adjustment. Adjustment
should only be carried out by your seating team or a competent person.
The seat depth may be too short if the back of the user’s legs touch the front of the
seat cushion when their pelvis is fully back against the back cushion.
The seat depth may be too long if there is a gap of more than 2” between the back
of the user’s legs and the front of the seat cushion when their pelvis if fully back
against the seat cushion.
The footrests may be too high if the there is a gap between the underneath of the
user’s leg and the top of the seat cushion, or the legs are not parallel to the base of
the seat cushion.
The footrests may be too low if the feet do not make contact with the footrests.
The top and bottom lateral supports should be aligned so that the client can be
positioned with their regular clothing.
The laterals may be too close together if it is difficult to fit the user between them.
The laterals may be too far apart if the user leans to one side.
The top laterals may be too high if they are touching the user’s armpit. There
should normally be a gap of between 1” and 2”.
The laterals may be too low if the gap between the top of the lateral pad is bigger
than 2”. Very occasionally thoracic laterals may be set lower for someone who has
good trunk ability, for example of help facilitate self-propulsion on a manual
wheelchair.
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