Loading clients in wheelchairs via a bus/van hoist

Disability Enterprises Leura developed a Procedure for Transporting Clients in Wheelchairs & Competency Guidelines which outlines steps for staff working alone with a client but to always work in pairs where possible.  The procedure to be modified accordingly.   Our procedure allows for EITHER: If appropriate, step onto the tray and ride with chair on lift. Raise lift until it stops automatically. Release brakes & move wheelchair into van.  Some lifts are designed to accommodate wheelchair & one person standing.

OR: Raise lift until it stops automatically. Release brakes from your position on the ground & gently slide wheelchair into van, Enter van from side door and bring chair forward.   Obviously this is a snapshot from the Guideline which contains Preparation of the Client in Wheelchair, Loading Wheelchair into Van, Securing Wheelchair in Van, Unloading Wheelchair from Van.   The Competency Guidelines contains a preamble advising that the procedural guidelines are based on principles and tasks that are generally applicable for the safe handling of clients in wheelchairs in the vehicles used by DE. However, all clients have customised wheelchairs and DE uses a number of different vehicles. It isimportant that staff recognise individual client differences and vehicle variation and adapt the competency tasks to ensure safe handling in a particualr situation.  In some instances, the guidelines indicate either/or situations which reflect different circumstances.  The Guidelines should be used inconjunction with DE's Wheelchair Protocol, "Transporting Clients in the VAn". It is vital that staff apply the principles of safe manual handling and work in pairs when possible.