One of the most important parts of providing a communication system is mounting of the various components for reasonable access by the user. The variables in the equation of providing a stabilized, accessible mount are many, and the devices and mechanisms available to do the job are almost infinite.The one piece of the mounting puzzle that eludes us most of the time is a lack of training and/or a lack of three-dimensional perception on the part of the prescriber. For some of us the vision is clear, for others the thought of mountings can be a nightmare.

Like any task involving a myriad of pieces and parts, it is mandatory that the facilitator of mounting systems examines virtually everything that is available in order to fill the "library" of what can be used. The assembly of pieces includes Velcro, glue, duct tape, carpet, pipe, rods, clamps, knobs, wood, fabric, paper clips, foam, corrugated cartons... you get the idea.

The facilitator also needs to have a fairly good command of tools and how to use them. Screwdrivers, wrenches (open end, box, adjustable, hex and spline wrenches), measuring tape... how does one measure the diameter of tubing?... sewing machines, knives, files. The facilitator should feel comfortable roaming in Home Depot (or equal) and understand everything that he or she sees.

Today's plethora of digital cameras, color printers, computers, email and FAX machines makes it easy for anyone, anywhere, to share physical information with others. Pictures of the client, the easy chair in the living room, a bed, the wheelchair and the device to be mounted are all part of what may need to be shared with the people charged with putting the mounting system together.

ZYGO Industries, Inc. has provided the service of planning mounting systems with facilitators. There is no charge for the service; it's part of the cost of the mountings, even if the mounting turns out to be a "do it yourself" effort.

The following is a guide for mounting equipment to wheelchairs. The steps are the same regardless of the device to be mounted or the chair involved.

*Two books that will help you think through this subject are:

• "Conceptual blockbusting," from Stanford University bookstore
• "Utilizing Switch Interfaces with Children Who are Severely Physically Challenged," by Carol Goossens'

How to choose parts for a mounting system?

1. Determine where in space the device needs to be when it's mounted. With a digital camera, take pictures of the user in the wheelchair from different vantage points. If possible, have someone hold the device in position for the photos, Otherwise, sketch on the pictures where the device should be.

2. Determine where on the wheelchair the mount needs to attach. Ascertain the diameter of the wheelchair tubing or note the cross-section configuration and dimensions if the tubing is not round.

3. Decide on how the mount and/or the device is to be removed from the wheelchair. Does the device need to swing out of the way for transfer or getting close to tables? Does the device need to be placed flat on a table/desk when it's removed from the wheelchair? Does the device or mount need to be moved from one mount to another?

4. Determine the required strength on the mount: heavy duty mounts for heavy devices or for forceful users, medium strength or light weight for lighter, more protected units.

Then...

5. Select the wheelchair clamp: Identify the chair's tubing diameter/configuration. Consider whether the vertical tubing can clear the parts of the wheelchair between the clamp and it's support end. Is there a wheelchair lap tray to clear?

6. Select the style of the mount: Fixed, right angle tubing; straight tubing with a right-angle joint; folding, etc.

7. Choose the device mounting tray or plate and tube clamp.

*For the most part ZYGO uses mounting system products from DaeSSy (Daedalus Technologies, Inc.). Refer to their website for details of the options available.