The development of an assessment chair

Initial difficulties in producing seats for the physically disabled have led to an investigation of the process of seat prescription. An adjustable assessment chair was developed for the purpose of identifying patients' seating requirements. The main variables of the chair's configuration are controlled by a number of hydraulic and mechanical systems. Different support surfaces can be attached to the chair to simulate different seat characteristics. At present a bead bag vacuum consolidation system is used to simulate moulded seats. Experience to date has shown that the assessment chair performs a valuable clinical role in the provision of seating.