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The Weight and Seating Independence Project (WSIP)

Gain control of your health and life! Pressure mapping technology and scales available statewide. Silhouettes of people in wheelchairs

Wheelchair Accessible Scales and Pressure Mapping Technology

MassMATCH is pleased to announce the availability of scales for wheelchair users and digital pressure mapping technology (PMT) in Western, Central and now Eastern Massachusetts. The Weight and Seating Independence Project (WSIP) is making this essential equipment accessible to individuals with disabilities, families, caregivers and other professionals. With funding from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, MassMATCH is helping individuals with paralysis take control of their own health.

Woman in wheelchair on portable scale mat, outdoors, another woman is helping. A woman seated in a wheelchair observes a pressure mapping display.

 

Trainings with Pressure Mapping Technology (PMT)

What is Interface Pressure Mapping?


Interface pressure mapping is a mat with sensors connected to a computer that is used to show pressure points when someone is sitting or lying down. Too much pressure at one point can lead to skin breakdowns or other injuries. Pressure mapping technology is useful for determining appropriate seating and positioning for users of wheelchairs.


Getting Started with Pressure Mapping


On March 20th, 2019, 2 pm ET. MassMATCH is hosting a live 60-minute webinar training on borrowing and using pressure mapping technology.


Webinar Description:


“I live in fear of another pressure ulcer!”
“I lost three months in bed, time I will never get back.”
-- MassMATCH spinal cord injury focus group participants.


In response to an overwhelming community need, MassMATCH has now acquired and made available pressure mapping systems for use by individuals, caregivers, and clinicians statewide and free of charge. Join us to learn about pressure mapping and the prevention of pressure injuries associated with paralysis. We will review the causes of pressure injury and the basics of prevention, the role of pressure mapping, and how to borrow and use the equipment. Experts report 60% of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) are likely to develop a pressure injury in their lifetime and 1 in 10 who do so may die of resulting complications. Pressure injuries, however, are not confined to persons with SCI, and are associated with a range of paralysis-causing conditions including ALS, TBI, CP, MS, Polio, Stroke, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and Transverse Myelitis.

Cost: Free


Register for Getting Started with Pressure Mapping


Presenters:


headshots of Mary Jo Wagner

Mary Jo Wagner, OTL/R, ATP is an Occupational Therapist with over 30 years of experience working in wheelchair clinics for people of all ages, diagnoses, and settings. She has traveled to Peru four times (2010-2013) working in wheelchair clinics and most recently to Haiti (2017 - present). Mary Jo has presented at OT State Conferences (MA, Vermont and New Mexico) and to OT and PT college students. Presently she works for the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.


headshots of Louise Colbourne

Louise Colbourne is the Director of the MassMATCH AT Regional Center operated by United Cerebral Palsy of Western Massachusetts, where she is also the director of Assistive Technology. Louise has taken the lead with making pressure mapping systems available to borrow across the Commonwealth through MassMATCH. She has been working in the field of occupational therapy for 18 years in a variety of settings including acute care, rehabilitation, schools, and early intervention programs.


Weigh Yourself at an Independent Living Center (ILC) in Central and Western Mass!

Roll-on scales suitable for manual and power wheelchairs, including those with a bariatric wheelbase, are available for use at the ILCs listed here. Drop in or schedule a visit. First-time users will be asked to register with the WSIP so we can follow up for feedback and program evaluation. Registration is completely voluntary and the scales are available to anyone who uses a wheelchair.

AdLib (Pittsfield)

215 North Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
413-442-7047

Stavros (Springfield)

227 Berkshire Avenue
Springfield, MA 01109
413-781-5555

Stavros (Amherst)

210 Old Farm Road
Amherst, MA 01002
413-256-0473

The Center for Living and Working (Worcester)

484 Main Street, Suite 345
Worcester, MA 01608
Voice: 508-798-0350
Video Phone: 508-762-1164

Borrow a Portable Scale or Pressure Mapping Technology (PMT)

The MassMATCH AT Regional Centers in Pittsfield, Worcester and Boston provide visitors with equipment demonstrations of portable scales for wheelchair users and pressure mapping technology. The Centers also loan the equipment for 2 to 4 weeks at a time at no cost to individual wheelchair-users, families and professionals. WSIP loaner equipment enables you to...

  • Obtain your weight using a portable sling lift equipped with a scale attachment.
  • Learn your "global weight" or the weight of your mobility equipment alone (with the assistance of a support person) using a portable roll-on scale.
  • Pressure map your seating and/or sleeping positions.
  • Find how to release pressure in high-intensity areas.
  • Map different seating environments: car, commode, bed and even recreation equipment!
  • Learn to lessen the impact of different activities on your body.
  • Help prevent pressure sores!

Contact your nearest AT Regional Center (ATRC) to arrange an equipment demonstration and/or device loan. You may also browse a range of assistive technology available for borrowing at massmatch.org/inventory. There is no charge for borrowing equipment from a MassMATCH ATRC.

ATRC-Pittsfield operated by UCP-Berkshire

208 West Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Phone: 413-442-1562

ATRC-Worcester operated by Easter Seals MA

484 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: 508-751-6495 or 800-244-2756

ATRC-Boston operated by Easter Seals MA 

89 South Street
Boston, MA 02111
Phone: 617-226-2640 or 800-244-2756 

 

WSIP Outreach Flyers

WSIP Outreach Flyer - English (PDF)
WSIP Outreach Flyer - Spanish (PDF)
Please share this web page as an accessible option (www.massmatch.org/wsip.php).

Pressure Mapping User Information

Pressure Mapping Self-Evaluation (Word). This is a questionnaire that is included in a binder of information every borrower receives with the pressure mapping equipment. The binder includes a Quick Start Guide, information on pressure injuries and skin management, information on wheelchair clinics, funding and additional resources.

The Weight and Seating Independence Project (WSIP) is a program of MassMATCH, the Assistive Technology Act program for Massachusetts. MassMATCH is funded by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and managed by the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC). WSIP is made possible by a grant funded through a cooperative agreement between the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation and ACL (cooperative agreement number 90PR3002-02-01; Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number 93.325).

Contact Us

Questions about the Weight and Seating Independence Project?

Contact:
Kobena.Bonney@state.ma.us
617-204-3826

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