ISO 7176-26:2007

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 7176-26
First edition
2007-04-15
Wheelchairs —
Part 26:
Vocabulary
Fauteuils roulants —
Partie 26: Vocabulaire
Reference number
©
ISO 2007
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©  ISO 2007
The reproduction of the terms and definitions contained in this International Standard is permitted in teaching manuals, instruction
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ii © ISO 2007 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword. iv
Introduction . vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Rules and elements used in vocabulary . 1
2.1 Rules used in vocabulary . 1
2.2 Organization of elements used in the vocabulary . 1
3 Abbreviated terms . 1
4 Terms and definitions . 2
4.1 Wheelchairs and related mobility devices. 2
4.2 Wheelchair operators. 3
4.3 Overall dimensions . 4
4.4 Drive systems . 5
4.5 Wheels . 8
4.6 Wheel features . 10
4.7 Postural supports. 14
4.8 Postural support characteristics . 23
4.9 Seating dimensions. 26
4.10 Testing equipment and configuration . 29
4.11 Transportation in a motor vehicle . 31
4.12 Product information . 34
Annex A (informative) Characterization of wheelchairs. 36
Bibliography . 38
Alphabetical index . 39

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 7176-26 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 173, Assistive products for persons with
disability, Subcommittee SC 1, Wheelchairs.
This first edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 6440:1985), all clauses and annexes of which have
been technically revised.
ISO 7176 consists of the following parts, under the general title Wheelchairs:
⎯ Part 1: Determination of static stability
⎯ Part 2: Determination of dynamic stability of electric wheelchairs
⎯ Part 3: Determination of the effectiveness of brakes
⎯ Part 4: Energy consumption of electric wheelchairs and scooters for determination of theoretical distance
range
⎯ Part 5: Determination of overall dimensions, mass and turning space
⎯ Part 6: Determination of maximum speed, acceleration and deceleration of electric wheelchairs
⎯ Part 7: Measurement of seating and wheel dimensions
⎯ Part 8: Requirements and test methods for static, impact and fatigue strengths
⎯ Part 9: Climatic tests for electric wheelchairs
⎯ Part 10: Determination of obstacle-climbing ability of electric wheelchairs
⎯ Part 11: Test dummies
⎯ Part 13: Determination of coefficient of friction of test surfaces
⎯ Part 14: Power and control systems for electric wheelchairs — Requirements and test methods
⎯ Part 15: Requirements for information disclosure, documentation and labelling
⎯ Part 16: Resistance to ignition of upholstered parts — Requirements and test methods
iv © ISO 2007 – All rights reserved

⎯ Part 19: Wheeled mobility devices for use in motor vehicles
⎯ Part 21: Requirements and test methods for electromagnetic compatibility of electrically powered
wheelchairs and motorized scooters
⎯ Part 22: Set-up procedures
⎯ Part 23: Requirements and test methods for attendant-operated stair-climbing devices
⎯ Part 24: Requirements and test methods for user-operated stair-climbing devices
⎯ Part 25: Requirements and test methods for batteries and their chargers for electrically powered
wheelchairs and motorized scooters
⎯ Part 26: Vocabulary
Introduction
The provision and selection of wheelchairs and associated seating products relies on clear communication of
information relating to these devices. Over time, many terms and definitions have evolved. Unfortunately, this
process has resulted in a lack of clear meaning for some terms and duplication of other terms (sometimes with
conflicting messages).
For example, the terms tilt and recline are sometimes used interchangeably, but usually have quite distinct
meanings. If used inappropriately, an entirely inappropriate wheelchair may be specified or purchased.
The purpose of this part of ISO 7176 is to provide a collection of terms and their definitions to form the basis of
clear communication across the field of wheelchair and associated seating and to eliminate confusion from
duplication or inappropriate use of terms.
The vocabulary is drawn from surveys of the literature and language used by experts in this field. It excludes,
however, terms which are adequately defined in the everyday language of English, medicine and technology.
ISO 7176 recognises that there are a number of terms in use which, because of duplication or inadequacies of
meaning, should be replaced by terms from this vocabulary. To help people move towards a common
vocabulary, these deprecated terms are included along with a reference to the preferred term.
The development and application of wheelchair standards is particularly dependent upon clear and consistent
terms and definitions. Hence, a major proportion of this part of ISO 7176 includes terms and definitions used
in more than one of the ISO standards specifically related to ISO Wheelchair Standards. These include the
ISO 7176, ISO 10542, and ISO 16840 series, and ISO 7193. Future standards in these series will cite this
document for definition of terms wherever possible, thus facilitating the consistent use of a common
vocabulary.
This part of ISO 7176 is intended purely as a means of specifying terms and definitions. It does not attempt to
classify wheelchairs and associated seating into any classification of device groupings as this is the purpose
of ISO 9999. Annex A provides a standard set of descriptors for characterizing wheelchairs.

vi © ISO 2007 – All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 7176-26:2007(E)

Wheelchairs —
Part 26:
Vocabulary
1 Scope
This part of ISO 7176 specifies a vocabulary consisting of terms and definitions used in the field of manual
and electrically powered wheelchairs (including scooters) and associated seating systems. This part of
ISO 7176 includes, but is not limited to, the preferred terms used in two or more ISO standards of the
ISO 7176, ISO 10542, and ISO 16840 series, but does not include terms considered to be adequately defined
in everyday English.
NOTE 1 In addition to terms used in the three official ISO languages (English, French and Russian), this International
Standard gives the equivalent terms in United States English; these are published under the responsibility of the member
body/National Committee for the United States. However, only the terms and definitions given in the official languages can
be considered as ISO terms and definitions.
NOTE 2 Annex A provides a standard set of descriptors for characterizing wheelchairs.
2 Rules and elements used in vocabulary
2.1 Rules used in vocabulary
Most terms defined are used in more than one of the ISO standards relating specifically to wheelchairs and
seating supports. Terms used in only one of these standards, are defined in the terms and definitions clause
of that standard.
Within Clause 4, terms are organized by function. Terms (and the function) can be further specified by adding
an adjective as shown in 4.8.
2.2 Organization of elements used in the vocabulary
The structure used throughout the nomenclature is based upon ISO 10241.
3 Abbreviated terms
ATD anthropometric test device
PSD postural support device
RLG reference loader gauge
UDIG universal docking interface geometry
WTORS wheelchair-tiedown and occupant-restraint system
4 Terms and definitions
4.1 Wheelchairs and related mobility devices
4.1.1
wheelchair
device to provide wheeled mobility with a seating support system for a person with impaired mobility
NOTE A walking aid with wheels is not a wheelchair.
4.1.2
manual wheelchair
wheelchair (4.1.1) which relies on an occupant (4.2.2) or an assistant (4.2.3) to provide power for its operation
4.1.3
handrim-drive wheelchair
manual wheelchair (4.1.2) designed to be propelled and steered using handrims (4.5.11)
4.1.4
lever-drive wheelchair
manual wheelchair (4.1.2) intended to be propelled and steered by a lever or levers
4.1.5
foot-propelled wheelchair
manual wheelchair (4.1.2) designed to be propelled and steered by contact of the occupant’s (4.2.2) foot or
feet with the floor
4.1.6
push wheelchair
manual wheelchair (4.1.2) intended to be pushed by an assistant (4.2.3)
4.1.7
aisle wheelchair
push wheelchair (4.1.6) intended to be used in narrow aisles such as on aircraft
4.1.8
electrically powered wheelchair
e chair (deprecated)
electric wheelchair (deprecated)
powered chair (deprecated)
powered wheelchair (deprecated)
wheelchair (4.1.1) in which the motor power is derived from an in
...