3.3-4. Spotters and Trainers
We strongly recommend careful attention to spotting during practice sessions. Any person serving as a spotter during training should meet the criteria described in the Spotter Manual and position him/herself as indicated in the individual skill sections of that Manual.
It is possible to learn the skills by self-training. However, a good trainer can be an important element in learning wheelchair skills. The trainer should be knowledgeable about wheelchair skills and how to teach them. The personal characteristics of the trainer are also important. The trainer should be credible, friendly, supportive, non-judgemental, interested and honest. The trainer should be amiliar with the structure and operation of the specific wheelchair used by the learner.
The trainer may be a rehabilitation clinician (e.g. an occupational therapist or physical therapist) who is regularly involved in wheelchair prescription and training, or someone specifically trained for the purpose. Because practice outside formal training sessions can be useful, members of the rehabilitation team (e.g. members of the nursing profession, personal care workers, recreation therapists, volunteers, physicians) other than the primary trainer can be of assistance. Good team communication among team members about a learner’s progress can help to ensure that the input from multiple team members is complementary rather than conflicting.
Both experts and non-experts can play important roles in the training process. Wheelchair-using or caregiver peers may possess or be able to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to function as trainers. The trainer should be as familiar as possible with relevant elements of the WSTP, including the general principles and the specific elements. The trainer should feel free to refer to the WSTP Manual whenever necessary. Those interested in becoming WSTP trainers should study the WSTP Manual and related materials and observe how a skilled trainer performs. Ideally, the WSTP should only be used by trainers who have been trained in its administration. However, good results should be possible by careful attention to the WSTP Manual, because it has been designed to be reasonably self-explanatory and to reflect normal clinical practices.
