Series 5-25: Tipping a Manual Wheelchair to the Balance Point

The Alberta School Bus Knowledge Test includes a section on safely tipping a manual wheelchair to the balance point. This skill is essential for school bus operators transporting students who use wheelchairs.

Alberta School Bus Test - SERIES 5-25: Tipping a Manual Wheelchair to the Balance Point

1 / 8

How should you return the wheelchair from the balance point to all four wheels?

Ask the passenger to jump forward to lower the front wheels

Push the chair forward until the front wheels hit the ground hard

Let the front wheels drop quickly to save effort

Carefully and gently reverse the tipping procedure

2 / 8

When using the tip bar to help tip the wheelchair, what should you do with your front foot?

Place your front foot on the tip bar and press down

Place your front foot under the tip bar and lift up

Place your front foot on the passenger’s footrest

Keep both feet flat on the floor and avoid the tip bar

3 / 8

If the wheelchair does not have push handles or tip bars, what should you do?

Try to lift the wheelchair by the armrests

Push the passenger forward until the front wheels lift

Refuse to move the wheelchair under any circumstances

Ask the owner how to best provide assistance

4 / 8

After reaching the balance point, what should you do with the foot that was on the tip bar?

Move your foot to the front caster for more leverage

Place your foot on the passenger’s footrest

Keep your foot on the tip bar at all times

Remove your foot from the tip bar

5 / 8

Which of the following best describes the “balance point” when tipping a manual wheelchair?

The point where the chair requires little or no effort to stabilize on its rear wheels

The point where the wheelchair is resting against a wall

The point where all four wheels are firmly on the ground

The point where the front wheels are higher than the caregiver’s waist

6 / 8

When you reach the balance point while tipping the wheelchair, how should the weight of the chair feel?

It should feel very heavy and require constant lifting

It should rest in the palms of your hands and feel easy to balance on the back wheels

It should feel weightless, as if the chair were floating

It should pull you forward, forcing you to lean over the passenger

7 / 8

What is the first action you should take when beginning to tip a manual wheelchair to the balance point?

Stand with one foot in front of the other

Lock the rear wheels and stand directly behind the chair with feet together

Ask the passenger to lean forward

Lift the front casters by pulling straight up without moving your feet

8 / 8

Which factor does NOT affect the location of the balance point of a manual wheelchair?

The weight and height of the passenger

The type and size of the wheelchair

The colour of the wheelchair frame

The size of the person providing assistance

Your score is

To tip a manual wheelchair, position yourself behind the chair, firmly grip the handles, and communicate clearly with the passenger. Gently press down on the handles to lift the front wheels off the ground, finding the balance point where the chair is stable and controlled. This technique is crucial when navigating curbs or obstacles. Proper training ensures student safety and comfort, and enhances the operator’s confidence during transport.