A selection of training and education courses is available with programs that range from short product specific in-service presentations to full one-day or two-day seminars.

Seating and positioning seminars cover all aspects of wheelchair seating and mobility. The focus of the individual presentations may conform to a pre-packaged agenda or can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the participants.

Examples and outlines are available below. Please contact us and we will help organizes a training experience that meets your needs.

ONE DAY/TWO-DAY SEATING SEMINARS

Wheelchair Seating: Principles of Postural Control and Tissue Trauma Prevention

Course Description
This is an intermediate to advanced level workshop designed for individuals currently working in the field of seating and wheeled mobility or those new to the field who need to gain a working knowledge of these principles and concepts. The presentations will address general seating principles with an additional focus on clients in the Nursing Home and Long-term Care Facility settings Presenter: Allen Siekman has over 25 years clinical experience as a seating specialist, designer and educator, specializing in the design and provision of seating equipment for children and adults with moderate to severe physical challenges.

Objectives
Wheelchair seating is a key component in the management of health, safety and the functional abilities of the person using the wheelchair. The purpose of this course is to provide practitioners with a thorough understanding of the many factors that effect wheelchair seating. At the end of the course participants will understand the biomechanics of seating as well as the forces that effect postural stability and function. Methods and equipment used to control and assist pelvic positioning and postural stability will be reviewed. People that use wheelchairs as a primary source of mobility and daily seating can be exposed to an increased risk of pressure sores. The formation of pressure sores will be discussed. At the end of the course, the participants will be able to identify the risk factors for pressure sore development and will know intervention strategies used to minimize pressure sore risk.

Other Topics

Stable, Not Static: Dynamic Seating to Improve Movement and Function

Abstract
To some, dynamic seating is the design and fabrication of equipment that will withstand the strong movement patterns of many wheelchair users. To others, the provision of dynamic seating is focused on seating that allows or restores natural postural movement while maintaining comfort and stability. This presentation will focus on seating that allows or restores natural postural movement.

Aims and Objectives

In this presentation, the concept of allowing functional movement within the seating system will be addressed. Principles and examples of the clinical application of seating that allows and yet controls movement will be discussed. This will include an overview of recent clinical research and examples of methods and equipment that will allow improvements in functional movement while maintaining stability and comfort.

Normal seating is not a static activity. Consider the movements that we all do while in a seated position and how limited we would be if we were all held into a static position while seated. Positioning the pelvis in wheelchair seating is a key component to successful management of the seated posture and the functional abilities of the person using the wheelchair. The purpose of this course is to provide practitioners with a thorough understanding of the many factors that effect pelvic stability. At the end of the course participants will understand the biomechanics of the pelvis when seated, forces that effect pelvic stability and function and will review methods and equipment used to control and assist pelvic positioning.

Positioning the Pelvis In Wheelchair Seating

Abstract
In this one-day seminar, participants are presented with an in depth examination of methods and equipment used to control pelvic position and improve stability and function in wheelchair seating. After a review of the biomechanics of the pelvis, the following topics are discussed: static and dynamic pelvic control, controlling pelvic tilt, obliquity and rotation, and the use and application of postural supports for pelvis control.

Aims and Objectives
Positioning the pelvis in wheelchair seating is a key component to successful management of the seated posture and the functional abilities of the person using the wheelchair. The purpose of this course is to provide practitioners with a thorough understanding of the many factors that effect pelvic stability. At the end of the course participants will understand the biomechanics of the pelvis when seated, forces that effect pelvic stability and function and will review methods and equipment used to control and assist pelvic positioning.

Understanding Tissue Trauma Development in Wheelchair Seating

In this seminar, participants are presented with a thorough examination of pressure sore development in wheelchair seating. After a review of the biomechanics of the pelvis and the soft tissue that is at high risk of pressure sore development, the following topics are discussed: Tissue integrity, factors that contribute to pressure sore development, Skin protection cushion design, use of cushions to control pressure distribution, static and dynamic cushion design and non-wheelchair seating that can contribute to pressure sore development.

The Effect of Temperature on Skin Ulcer Development

There are some very interesting new developments in this area. This presentation includes a literature review of recent research combined with some new testing developments focusing on Heat and Water Vapor measurements. Some of the current work is showing a very strong cause and effect relationship between temperature and moisture and the development of skin ulcers.

Seating the Wheelchair Athlete

Proper evaluation and seating interventions can have a significant effect on the performance of the seated athlete. Evaluation and implementation of task or sport specific seating is covered in concept and real-world examples.