Groups such as the arthritic and the elderly are particularly susceptible to seating problems. An extensive questionnaire to determine the nature and extent seating difficulties was given to patients at rheumatology clinics and members of day centres for the elderly in Leeds. Forty-two per cent of subjects had some degree of difficulty in rising from their easy chair at home and of these 18% either experienced great difficulty or could not rise unaided. Only 13% had chairs designed to aid rising (e.g. high chair) and 40% of subjects thought their chair could be improved. Thirty-four per cent said that their easy chair caused them pain or discomfort. Information about subjects' body dimensions and their easy chair dimensions was also collected. Further research based on the survey results is planned in order to develop criteria for the design of easy chairs for the arthritic and the elderly.