Many long term wheelchair users develop back pain or spinal and pelvic deformities, which are in part due to the rounded spinal posture promoted by the sling upholstery in the standard wheelchair. Two back support systems which connect to the vertical upright frame members of a standard wheelchair… More

This project addresses the need for information systems for children and adults with disabilities. People with mobility and visual impairments. For example, wheelchair users desire to experience outdoor trails just as much as everyone else. Existing definitions of accessibility for building access… More

Places that offer outdoor recreational xperiences rarely provide information about accessibility of hiking trails. without access related information, persons, with disabilities are faced with significant difficulties when attempting to choose and enjoy trails with appropriate challenge levels. in… More

This projects's objective is to design and evaluate a surface accessibility measurement device that can quantitatively measure characteristics of a surface that correlate with its degree of accessibility to wheelchair users. Four surface accessibility measurement devices will be designed, fabricated… More

Although many people with disabilities enjoy visiting outdoor parks and recreational areas, there is currently no easy means for them to obtain information about the accessibility of outdoor trails in these areas. This project will develop a Trails Web site providing universal access information for… More

Although many people with disabilities enjoy visiting outdoor parks and recreational areas, there is currently no easy means for them to obtain information about the accessibility of outdoor trails in these areas. This project will develop a Trails Web site providing universal access information for… More

Not Available Providing objective information about trail conditions, such as grade and width, will increase access and safety for all users, including people with disabilities. Through a collaborative process, the Universal Trail Assessment Process (UTAP) was developed to provide access information… More

Not Available Signal Systems Corporation proposes this research to improve current ASW system effectiveness by exploiting elastic wave re-radiation in multi-static sonars. We will use at-sea data, boundary element scattering models, existing echo detectors, advanced resonance extraction… More

Providing objective information about trail conditions, such as grade and width, will increase access and safety for all users, including people with disabilities. Through a collaborative process, the Universal Trail Assessment Process (UTAP) was developed to provide access information to trail… More

Not Available All NASA Enterprises possesses large, complex databases. Those of the Earth Science Enterprise (ESE) consist primarily of satellite images. To analyze and use these voluminous amounts of data, NASA needs new database management methods that are efficient,

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Many people who rely on specialized wheelchair seating have difficulties attaining and maintaining proper pelvic positioning, a critical component for achieving good sitting posture. Use of commercially available devices often results… More

DESCRIPTION (Applicant's Abstract): Approximately 65 percent of manual wheelchair users experience upper extremity pain or injury, which can significantly impact their mobility and independence. Research has demonstrated a relationship between impact stresses on the… More

DESCRIPTION (Applicant's Abstract): Approximately 65 percent of manual wheelchair users experience upper extremity pain or injury, which can significantly impact their mobility and independence. Research has demonstrated a relationship between impact stresses on the… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Many people who rely on specialized wheelchair seating have difficulties attaining and maintaining proper pelvic positioning, a critical component for achieving good sitting posture. Use of commercially available devices often results… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Recreation is a primary factor in the quality of life of people with disabilities. Paddle sports are one of the fastest growing recreational activities. Current canoe seating products cradle the paddler in a flexible fabric or plastic bucket but do not provide… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Recreation is a primary factor in the quality of life of people with disabilities. Paddle sports are one of the fastest growing recreational activities. Current canoe seating products cradle the paddler in a flexible fabric or plastic bucket but do not provide… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Using a wheelchair is physically demanding, as evidenced by overuse injuries of the upper extremity in over half of the wheelchair user population. Movement of a manual wheelchair, whether forward propulsion, turning, or deceleration, is achieved through use of… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The ability to evaluate the performance of seat cushions is critical to the development of wheelchair seating and standards, and to the selection of cushions by consumers and therapists. To assess the ability of a wheelchair cushion to distribute pressure, the… More

Currently, the benefits of objective trail information are limited in rural areas because the team of people required to complete the UTAP is difficult and costly to assemble. The USDA Forest Service is responsible for the management of 133,000 miles of trails and public lands with trails held by… More

The Universal Trail Assessment Process (UTAP) and TrailWare, software for UTAP data, were developed to obtain objective trail information. Over 700 people within Federal, State, local and non-profit agencies have been UTAP trained throughout the US. Requiring 9 to 15 person hours per mile of trail… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): There, is a high incidence of overuse injuries among manual wheelchair users. One method to prevent the development or delay the onset of injuries is to reduce the physical demand on the user during wheelchair propulsion. Configuration of the wheelchair can have… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): People with disabilities have increased health risks as a result of a sedentary lifestyle. Limited access to fitness equipment is a primary barrier to physical activity and a significant environmental barrier to the health and well-being of people with… More

People with mobility impairments are excluded from trails, shared-use paths, parks and other public areas where barriers are erected to prevent access by motorized trail vehicles (MTVs). To ensure the safety of trail users and the integrity of the natural environment, many recreation and/or… More

Recreation trails are a key component of the social, economic and health of rural communities. People with mobility impairments are often excluded from trails, shared-use paths, parks and other public areas where barriers are erected to prevent access by motorized trail vehicles (MTVs), to control… More

Currently, there is no standardized process for assessing the accessibility of recreation elements used for outdoor recreation, picnic and camping facilities although standards for specific outdoor recreation elements exist, the Forest Service Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Guidelines and the… More

Cities must perform detailed assessments of sidewalks and streets, including curb ramps, pedestrian signals, crosswalks, street furniture, and other components to determine compliance with the Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines. However, current assessment methods are inadequate or… More

  City planners and engineers need detailed assessments of public rights-of-way to evaluate existing conditions, determine compliance with draft accessibility guidelines, and plan reconstruction projects.  Current assessment methods are inadequate and inefficient due to the time and… More