What if I need to use an after-market customized seating system that has not been crash tested?
WC19 currently evaluates a total wheelchair system, including the wheelchair frame or base and the wheelchair seat and backrest. This works well when the wheelchair manufacturer provides a complete wheelchair system, including both the base frame and seating system. However, in some cases (some suggest about 20% of wheelchairs), a specialized seating system from another wheelchair manufacturer, or an after-market seat manufacturer, is prescribed. In this case, it would be desirable to purchase only a WC19-compliant wheelchair base, rather than a complete wheelchair system from the wheelchair manufacturer. Concerns for liability have led legal departments of wheelchair companies to not allow the sale of WC19-compliant wheelchair bases (i.e., base frames with four crash-tested securement points) unless a seating system that has been crash tested on that base is sold with it. Such policies have led to the need for the consumer to purchase a wheelchair seat from the wheelchair manufacturer
