The Determination of Wheelchair User Proficiency And Environmental Accessibility Through Virtual Simulation

In this paper we describe a system which allows a power wheelchair user to drive through a virtual architectural environment. The system addresses the current lack of methods for evaluating a disabled person in order to match them with a suitable power wheelchair control mechanism. First we describe the system itself, including its hardware and software components and its user interface. Then we discuss both using the system to evaluate user proficiency and using the system as an architectural design tool, and we briefly describe our experience with a disabled person using the system. We conclude with a brief discussion of future plans.