Wheelchair Terms and Definitions
Adaptation
Finding another way to do things. It's partly being creative about solving problems and partly being insistent about getting back to the things that are important to you. "Adaptive thinking" involves making changes in your everyday environment. Some examples are: changing how you do certain tasks or activities, changing the "tools" you use to do them or changing the features of places by doing things like adding ramps, widening doorways or getting rid of throw rugs. When you can learn to think "adaptively" you are using the best parts of human nature - resilience and creativity!
ADA
Americans with Disabilities Act. The civil rights law for people with disabilities passed in 1990, which contain protections for employment, transportation, access to telecommunications, and access to public places.
ADAAG
Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines. Guidelines issued by Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board which give dimensions and standards to the architectural features required by the ADA .
Assistive Steering Devices
Assistive steering devices are selected based on the client's need. They range from reduced effort steering to compensate for reduced strength, to joystick steering to allow one-handed control of steering, braking and acceleration, to spinner knobs to allow for steering with one hand.
ATP
Assistive Technology Provider, a credential granted by RESNA to indicate years of experience and competence to practice in the area of assistive technology. The ATP credential can be earned by occupational, physical and speech therapists, audiologists, special educators and others who provide direct evaluation and training services to clients with assistive technology needs.
ATS
Assistive Technology Supplier, a credential given by RESNA to indicate years of experience and knowledge to practice in the area of supplying rehabilitation technology devices. The ATS credential can be earned by professionals with knowledge of equipment and funding options. They agree to practice within the scope of their knowledge and to abide by a code of ethical behavior. A similar credential is the CRTS, which is given by NRRTS to their members who earned the ATS certification.
Axle
The part at the center of a wheel; a wheel rotates around an axle with the help of ball bearings.
