There is a need for better methods of determining the space requirements of wheel chair users. Existing codes and practices and existing experienceare not always sufficient to ensure good design. The special design technique is a method of determining the three dimensional space needs of disabled persons when the size and functional characteristics of mobility aids are a significant factor in design. This paper describes spatial design for a four wheeled chair and user in particular, a manually operated adult size wheel chair with a pair of castered wheels at the front and a pair of large wheels with propelling rings in the rear. This special design technique applies equally to a consideration of other types of mobility aid either for the special needs of individual users or a group of users. A consideration of the basic design problems is followed by the research aims and problem solutions. A description of the developed technique is followed byexamples of how this design method has been used to solve both simple andcomplex space design problems that could not be solved using traditional design methods.
Abstract