Effectiveness of a Wheelchair Skills Training Program for Power Mobility Users: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Inclusion Criteria: * new or experienced powered wheelchair users * use or are expected to use powered wheelchairs for at least 4 hrs/week * have access to a powered wheelchair with a suitable range of controller settings (i.e. able to climb a 5cm level change) for testing and training * equal or greater than 18 years of age * able to follow directions in either French or English (whichever is in use at the participating site) * have the potential to operate their powered wheelchairs independently * have room for improvement (in the opinion of the potential participant's clinician) * requires no more than minimal assistance for communication and auditory comprehension (in the opinion of the potential participant's clinician) * able to follow 2-step commands * demonstrate the ability to attend training sessions during the intake session * competent to provide their own informed consent * able to be comfortably seated in the powered wheelchairs that will be used for the study (if not their own). Exclusion Criteria: * use or are expected to use a scooter * have a rapidly progressive disorder (e.g. amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or terminal cancer) * have significant visual impairments (legally blind) * have unstable medical conditions (e.g. angina, seizures) * have emotional problems (e.g. severe anxiety, depression) that might make participation unsafe or unpleasant