Quadriplegia is the partial or complete paralysis of the upper and lower portions of the body, including the legs, trunk, arms and hands due to spinal cord damage (ParaQuad 2005).
Symptoms and characteristics:
Quadriplegia (otherwise known as tetraplegia) is characterised by weakness or paralysis in both the arms, legs and trunk. Typically, quadriplegia results in flaccidity (low tone) of the arms and spasticity (high tone) of the legs. Other common symptoms include pain in the neck and shoulders, numbness of the hands, staggering gait and support required for sitting upright.
For those with damage to the spinal cord close to the base of the skull, quadriplegia may also create changes to the involuntary (autonomic) nervous system, resulting in difficulties with temperature regulation and breathing. A person with quadriplegia may also have problems with postural hypotension and some aspects of bladder and bowel control (ParaQuad 2005).
Workplace solutions and adjustments:
In the workplace there are various factors that would assist people with quadriplegia to manage their condition. These include changes to work tasks and the environment, such as:
- ensuring wheelchair accessibility to all areas of the workplace including kitchen and bathroom amenities, workspace and other doorways or emergency exits
- installation of ramps for independent building access
- automatic door openers to allow independent door access
- positioning of security pin pads for building access at a height that is accessible from a wheelchair
- set up of kitchen amenities at a height accessible from a wheelchair and with equipment such as kettle tippers that can assist those with arm weakness
- desk modifications to allow for wheelchair clearance
- use of voice recognition software for computer access
- modifications to driving controls on work vehicles.
The Employment Assistance Fund provides financial assistance for work-related modifications, equipment and services to help people with disability to get employment and perform their work as independently and productively as possible. To determine eligibility, please refer to the full guidelines:
There are solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements:
References:
Better Health Channel 2007, Paraplegia (Spinal Cord Injury), State Government of Victoria, Victoria, viewed 16 February 2007, <http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au>.
MDA Internet 2005, Reed Group, Colorado, viewed 7 February 2007, <http://www.mdainternet.com> (secure site).
ParaQuad 2007, Understanding Spinal Cord Injury, Fact Sheet 2, ParaQuad, Sydney, viewed 15 July2009, http://www.paraquad.org.au/Resources/ParaQuadpublications/FactSheets/ForPeoplewithSCI.aspx