Chair Adjustments

 

Chair Adjustments

The chair has 7 key adjustments that can be made:

1. Seat height (front and rear)
This is likely the adjustment that will be most important to you so this is a good place to start. By changing the front and rear height of the seating you change the angle of the seat - the "bucket". Children with less stability will probably appreciate a greater angle (front height being greater than rear height). Be aware that a change to seat height may result in changes to all other adjustments.

2. Backrest tension and height

3. Seat upholstery tension
The tension on the seat upholstery can be changed to provide more or less "dump" or the angle of the front of the seat versus the back of the seat. Usually, someone with a higher level disability will want more of a dump to provide greater stability.

4. Sideguards height
The sideguards ensure that clothing doesn't rub the wheels and should be snug to the hips. The height of the sideguard relative to the seating may determine the ease of pushing. DSomeone with longer arms will have less problems with higher sideguards but get less stability.

5. Camber bar forward/backward and angle
The camber bar should only be adjusted by someone familiar with the RGK wheelchair. Making changes to the camber bar, while not difficult, requires precision or else you will get a chair that doesn't push straight. The camber bar can be moved forwards and backwards making it tippier but more responsive (forwards) or more stable and less responsive (backwards).

6. Footrest height and angle
The footrests and their straps are there to secure the child into their chair more securely. The height of the footrests should be adjusted to ensure the child's feet lie flat on the footrest.

7. Fifth wheel (anti-tipper) length and height
The fifth wheel in the back of the chair is to prevent toppling over backwards. It should be an inch or so off of the ground and can be lengthened out or raised higher.