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There are many different types of wheelchairs available for people with a disability. It’s essential to determine which wheelchair suits your needs the best. It will help you get the most out of your new wheelchair and maintain an active life.
In general, wheelchairs can be divided into four types: electric wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, transport wheelchairs, and sports wheelchairs according to their structure and primary purposes. Each of them is designed for different uses in the daily life of disabled people.
In this guide, we will explore many different types of wheelchairs. I’ll explain its design and features, intended users, and when it’s best used.
Manual Wheelchairs
A manual wheelchair is the most common type of wheelchair for mobility, and it is the one that you see most often. It is straightforward to fold or unfold, but you need some arm or upper body strength to push it.
Manual wheelchairs are those wheelchairs that do not use batteries or electricity to move the chair but instead rely on the user’s energy for motion. It is imperative to have a durable and robust manual wheelchair if you plan to use it every day.
Manual wheelchairs usually come with armrests, a fold-down footrest, seat-belt, and straps to secure the user. Most wheelchairs of this caliber are very light and easy to fold.
These chairs can be large, heavy, bulky, and difficult to carry up and down steps. They do, however, offer better stability than other types of wheelchairs. You can use a manual wheelchair if you have some arm or upper body strength. If you cannot use your hands, there are other options, such as power wheelchairs, which we will look at in more detail later in this article.
There are different types of manual wheelchairs. Some of the most common types of manual wheelchairs are:
Transport wheelchairs
Bariatric Wheelchair
Folding frame manual wheelchairs
Rigid frame manual wheelchairs
Lightweight manual wheelchairs
Manual wheelchairs typically cost less than $500, making them ideal for people on a limited budget but still in need of one. These wheelchair has good stability suspension and can be customized easily. They also have wheels that are very durable and give them good traction.
Power wheelchairs, on the other hand, have motors in them, which allow them to be operated by the user (with some limitations). They are also known as electric wheelchairs and can help people with limited mobility get to places they otherwise would not be able to get to.
Power wheelchairs come with many different features and options, so there is something for everyone. Some power wheelchairs can even be adjusted to fit your individual needs, which can help you to maximize your mobility potential. Power wheelchairs are incredibly beneficial for individuals who suffer from physical disabilities.
Power wheelchairs are used by people with various disabilities, from spinal cord injuries to cerebral palsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and muscular dystrophy. There are three common types of powered wheelchairs:
Mid-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
Rear-wheel drive
The front-wheel-drive model is the most common type of power wheelchair. They have large wheels in the back and smaller wheels in the front. It allows for better maneuverability and turning, but if one of the large rear wheels encounters an obstacle, it is harder to overcome as it requires more force to go over it than a smaller wheel.
Power wheelchairs provide an easy way for users to go out into public areas that make them feel comfortable and safe. By taking a power wheelchair out into public areas, you will be able to interact with others, socialize more, and live a more fulfilling life than staying cooked up indoors.
A power wheelchair is specifically designed to be used by people with mobility impairments. The chair has been specially designed to make it easy for the user to transfer into and out of the chair. It has a battery or a motor that gives it extra power and can be driven either by the person sitting in it or by a caregiver pushing from behind.
These wheelchairs are more expensive but grant a degree of independence to people who need more help with their mobility and who also have a hard time using a manual wheelchair. Power Wheelchairs help people mobility by making it easier to move around.
Positioning Wheelchairs
A positioning wheelchair is often used in hospitals, nursing homes, and other institutions where care is provided and at home when a person needs more support than they could get from a standard wheelchair.
These wheelchairs provide support for all body parts and allow users to maintain a neutral body position in sitting or lying down. It is usually equipped with a hand control system [called a push-rim or tilt-in-space system] that allows users to move their body within the chair independently.
They are what you can call intelligent wheelchairs.
These chairs feature seats that recline or have built-in elevating leg rests or other features to make sitting more comfortable. They are designed to help users achieve a variety of seated postures by providing support that allows the user to change postures while seated. For example, some supports allow users to change positions between sitting upright and leaning back with or without support behind them.
Though this type of wheelchair gives its user greater freedom of movement, it is also one of the more expensive options when choosing a wheelchair. It may also take some time for those who are used to regular wheelchairs to get used to this chair style due to their unique design and function.
Pediatric Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs have many types. There are different wheelchairs for children and adults. There are also different types of wheelchairs depending on age or the user’s illness. One type of wheelchair is a pediatric wheelchair.
It is smaller than an adult wheelchair, making it easier for children to use. These wheelchairs come in various sizes depending on the child’s size and have features that make them comfortable for children.
These wheelchairs are designed for children with special needs and health problems such as spina bifida or cerebral palsy. Pediatric wheelchairs are one of the more expensive types, so they are only recommended if there is a medical need.
Like powered wheelchairs, most pediatric wheelchairs come with special reclining seats to ensure comfort for the child and joysticks/directional pads, which allow them to go forward, backward, or turn corners without requiring help from others. Some of these chairs also come in different colors so that children can choose their favorite one.
Sports Wheelchairs
As the name suggests, sport wheelchairs are wheelchairs for disabled athletes. Sports wheelchairs exist in different sizes, shapes, and colors, depending on the need or sport they will be used for.
These wheelchairs are designed to be used in sports and activities such as wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, track and field, racing, triathlon, and tennis. These wheelchairs are designed to handle challenging terrains and have impacts while keeping the user comfortable and relaxed.
Sports wheelchairs have wheels that are generally much smaller than regular wheelchairs. They may have simpler frames without armrests or other comfort features. They often have a lower seat height and higher upper body height to improve the athlete’s visibility.
There are also sports chairs with larger wheels (24-inch wheels) used for racing, such as marathon racing, etc. Some sports wheelchair users do not use the word “wheelchair” to refer to their sport chair but instead use “sports chair.”
The main difference between a sports wheelchair and a regular wheelchair is that the sports chair is lighter and more maneuverable than a regular wheelchair. It also has a couple of extra wheels for more support and balance.
Professional athletes mainly use these wheelchairs at different sporting events and competitions like those conducted at the international level. They can also be used by regular people who are capable enough to move around independently and do not need constant assistance from any caregiver or family member while using these chairs. They can move around alone without any problem whatsoever.
All-Terrain Wheelchairs
The All-Terrain Wheelchair is a rugged, off-road wheelchair designed to handle any terrain. It provides the capabilities of a larger wheelchair in a smaller, more durable vehicle that is easy to operate and transport. The ATW is suitable for outdoor or indoor use and operates on most surfaces, including grass, gravel, dirt, sand, snow, mud, and rough surfaces.
They are designed to provide maximum performance and maneuverability in the most demanding environments. This type of wheelchair is specifically designed to traverse rugged, uneven ground where other wheelchairs cannot function. All-terrain wheelchairs are also called “off-road” or “expedition” wheelchairs.
The manufacturers of all-terrain wheelchairs want to make their products more versatile and easier to use. With their help, people who use wheelchairs will go more places independently and more comfortably.
The chair features a pneumatic bump stop to help prevent damage to the rear wheels when riding over curbs or other obstacles at high speed. The front caster fork can be locked for additional stability when climbing obstacles.
The front caster fork is made from extruded aluminum, which allows it to be easily adjusted for height and alignment if necessary. For additional safety, the All-Terrain Wheelchair features a hand brake located on the left side of the chair near the armrest to prevent accidental release of brakes when riding downhill over rough terrain.
Whatever your disability is, you are likely to require a wheelchair of some sort to provide you with the mobility and freedom you deserve. When looking for a wheelchair, there are four factors you need to consider: weight, the extent of your disability, cost, maneuverability features, and cushioning.
Wheelchaired is a proud member of the United Spinal Association and a disability blog dedicated to sharing guides and advice on issues concerning disability, mobility, accessible travel, and personal development.
