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The WC19 Information Resource:
Crash-tested Wheelchairs & Seating Systems

In April 2000, the US standard, WC19 Wheelchairs Used as Seats in Motor Vehicles, was approved by ANSI/RESNA. Even though this voluntary industry standard was approved 7 years ago, the number one barrier to its implementation is "lack of knowledge." Read the Ride Safe Brochure and learn more about how to travel safely when sitting in a wheelchair on a bus or van. Has your wheelchair model been crash tested? Review the up-to-date list of successfully crash tested wheelchairs and seating systems.

How do you know if this standard is important to you?

Do you answer "yes" to any of these questions?
  1. Do you or someone you know use a wheelchair as a seat when riding in a motor vehicle?
  2. Do you prescribe or supply wheelchairs to people who sit in them when they ride in buses, vans and private vehicles?
  3. Do you know which wheelchair manufacturers make products that meet this voluntary industry standard?
  4. Are you a third party payer being asked to pay for the transit option on a manual or power wheelchair?
  5. Are you a transit provider who would benefit from the increased efficiency and safety of transporting passengers who ride in WC19 compliant wheelchairs?

If you can answer "yes" to any of these questions, you are in the right place!


Find the information you need!

You may view all components of this WC19 website. However, information is organized by audience.
Click on the link that best describes your information needs:

  • Consumers: individuals or family of individuals who use wheelchairs.
  • Prescribers: clinicians, rehabilitation therapists, Certified Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers and Rehabilitation Engineers.
  • Manufacturers: companies that produce power and manual wheelchairs, seating products and wheelchair tiedowns and occupant restraint systems.
  • Transporters: public, private and paratransit transportation agencies and school districts.

This site is the authoratative information resource on the WC19 standard. This site is a service of the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Wheelchair Transportation Safety in partnership with the ANSI/RESNA Subcommittee on Wheelchairs and Transportation (SOWHAT).

Be sure to visit the standards section of this site if you are interested in a more formal presentation on standards.

As always, we welcome your feedback on how to improve this resource. Want to make a suggestion? Have questions about WC19? Contact us by e-mail at ruffing@pitt.edu


Last Updated: January 15, 2008

RERC WTS Home

Acknowledgement:

Department of Education, Washington DC
This Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) on Wheelchair Transportation Safety

is funded by NIDRR grant #H133E060064

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