Project Lead - S Sivakanthan
Project Team - S Park, B Daveler, GG Grindle, R Cooper
The ability to fly with commercial airlines is difficult for many individuals who use WC with specialized seating (e.g., tilt, recline, molded seats, postural supports) due to their inability to be able to remain in their personal PW for the flight. For some PWD, the inability to remain in their PW is so inconvenient, uncomfortable, and unsafe that they rarely fly, if at all, because their PW may be equipped with seating and positioning systems tailored to meeting their specific support, posture, and other physical needs. For instance, they commonly have seat cushions and back, head, neck, and foot support to address anatomical and medical needs and minimize the risk of PI. Additionally, many PW can tilt, recline, and elevate the leg rests which are necessary for pressure relief and other medical reasons. For such individuals, sitting in a passenger airplane seat that does not offer these seating functions and postural supports can significantly impact their physiological ability (e.g., tissue integrity, respiratory reserve, circulatory capacity) and/or postural stability, resulting in pain or discomfort or injury for even short duration flights.
This research addresses the feasibility and usability of the modified aircraft seat pallet and novel tie-down system invention being created in D2. Specific Aim (SA) 3.1: (Y2) Feasibility will be tested by PW users simulating the boarding/ deplaning process through simulating an aircraft layout. This will test different PW configuration’s ability to drive and park through a simulated aircraft layout. PW users boarding/deplaning process will be timed and asked to complete a NASA-Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) and Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST) questionnaires. SA3.2: (Y4) The modified airplane seat pallet and tie-down system overall usability will be tested with airline/airport staff, through timing them, with NASA-TLX and semi-structured interviews. Proposed concept