The Wheelchair Site

Shopping Wheelchair

Editor — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 17:36:00 GMT

I understand there is a new wheelchair accessory on the market that will enable wheelchair users to attach directly to shopping carts and shop from their own chair. Do you know of this item and who is the manufacturer? Do you know of a company called Richardson?

Name withheld

Answer:

We were able to locate the Care Chair Classic, on abledata.com. It’s a manual wheelchair which incorporates a shopping basket. Sammonspreston.com offers a shopping bag that attaches to a wheelchair, but you’re looking for something more substantial – a proper, accessible shopping cart. We did find a reference on one web-site to “an accessible shopping cart” that attached to wheelchairs with Velcro, but the site said the anonymous manufacturer no longer made them. However, the retailer still managed to get one somehow – custom-made perhaps? Here’s a suggestion: choose a favorite grocery or department store and become a regular. After you’ve made your presence known – often – approach the store manager and ask them to get a cart for the store. Then make sure other people are made aware of what the store has done. Good acts deserve recognition, and other retailers will realize that doing something for their customers with disabilities can also be great for buisiness.

Beach Wheelchair Tires

Editor — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 17:34:00 GMT

I am looking for balloon-type tires to construct a beach wheelchair. Any advice or direction is appreciated.

Jim

Answer:

Jim, the same strategy we recommended to Debbie will also work for you: use Google to search for the term "beach wheelchair" into the search box.. You’ll come up with a number of resources that should be able to help.

Bariatric Wheelchairs

Editor — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 17:33:00 GMT

I am looking for a power chair suitable for a larger person. I tend to find that chairs suitable for a heavier weight do not have a wide enough seat. Can you suggest anything?

Lynda

Answer:

Absolutely. Head on over to wheelchairs.com. They sell a the Big Bounder “bariatric power wheelchair” that’s available in seat widths from 21 inches up to 48 inches. The standard version has a weight capacity of 500 pounds, but they can make one that’s rated up to 1,000 pounds.

Paralympian wheelchairs

Editor — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 17:31:00 GMT

Can you give me the dimensions for the sports wheelchairs used by paralympians? I understand some of them might be too wide for entrances to buildings, restaurants etc. I am the guest with disabilities coordinator at General Motors Place and would like to know if our entrances are accessible by these wider wheelchairs.

Almira

Answer:

We contacted Sportaid, which sells sports wheelchairs, to find out a typical width. They gave us 41-inches as a typical example. Keep in mind, though, that there is no established specs, and different manufacturers will have different widths.

Holidays for wheelchair users

Editor — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 17:30:00 GMT

Would like to know more about holidays for disabled wheelchair users – tours by coach in accessible coach.

Nuala

Ireland

Answer:

The internet has made this kind of information much more accessible (we’re so funny). Check out sites like: assistireland.ie, worldonwheelz.com, access-able.com, globalaccessnews.com. And winning the irreverent web-site name award: gimponthego.com.

Vocational school training for wheelchair repair

Editor — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 17:28:00 GMT

I'm looking for a vocational school or course from a wheelchair company that will teach repair.

Kevin

Answer:

As difficult as this may be to believe, we were unable to locate a single vocational school offering a “wheelchair technician” qualification – at least in North American and Europe. There is a program in Africa, but this was created because the areas being serviced by the program lacked the resources of wealthier countries for fitting and repairing wheelchairs. According to a paper reproduced on motivation.org.uk, entitled “Wheelchair Technology as a Profession,” wheelchair services in the industrialized world are provided through a synergy between manufacturers and health professionals, such as occupational therapists, rehab engineers and clinical assistants. Prosthetic and orthotic technologists may also develop expertise in wheelchair repair. Our advice is to contact prominent manufacturers and ask them where to begin your quest to learn wheelchair repair.

Collecting pop can tabs for charity

Editor — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 17:26:00 GMT

We were told that by collecting can tags we could help in the purchase of a wheelchair. Could you let me know if it is true or not and, if it is, which organization must I contact to donate the tags? We have the possibility, as an office, to collect a lot of tags. If it is worth it, we would like to help by donating these tags.

Nathalie
Québec

Answer:

We looked into this. Unfortunately, it looks like it’s an urban legend. Snopes.com has an interesting entry on the phenomenon. No one seems to know how the rumor started – a cruel hoax, perhaps? – but it’s widespread; aluminum and recycling companies frequently receive queries about the non-existent program. Some groups have occasionally tried to put the rumor into real effect – collected tabs for their wholesale value – but the amount paid on pull tabs is so small, it hardly merits the effort.

Beach Wheelchair

Editor — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 17:24:00 GMT

We are looking for a wheelchair that would be able to go on the beach, possibly powered? My daughter suffered a spinal cord injury and will be going to the New Jersey shore after her prom in June. Would love for her to have some independence.

Debbie

Answer:

The good news, Debbie, is that there are lots of products on the market, including motorized options. Plug beach wheelchair into Google and you’ll come up with lots of choices. Just as an example, the Seeker II has FDA approval and a “best new product” accolade (albeit from 2002). But there are tons to choose from, so log on, read the online brochures and talk to the manufacturers. Ask them why their product is superior to others and make sure they have a good warranty.

Wheelchair Cyclical Lever Drive

Editor — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 15:06:00 GMT

Question: I am interested to know about Cyclical Lever drives for a wheelchair and the cost.

Answer: Unfortunately the options for cyclical lever drives are limited. Invacare makes the CLD Lever Drive LH6, which retails for $1256, but they don’t really seem to have much competition. The closest product I found other than Invacare’s was a product made by a company called Wijit; it’s a lever drive and braking system that can be attached to most manual wheelchairs.

Wheelchair Pedal Cycle Attachment

Editor — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 15:05:00 GMT

Question: hi my name is tony williams and i am 39 and a keen fitness person having been a bodyguard in the royal military police. i lost my left leg A/K in 2000 but wish to remain active i have recently returned from holiday were i met a german wheelchair user who had a pedal cycle attached to the front of his chair and i believe it was manufactured by a german company called streicher (exact spelling N/K) but am interested in finding out more here in the uk or abroad. your assistance is greatly appreciated

~tony

Answer: Sunrise Medical has something called the Cyclone (or Cycl-One) that attaches to most wheelchair makes and models. There’s a similar device called a Funbike as well - it’s a German product distributed by Oasis LLC. Several companies also make stationary pedaling systems that you can use for exercise while in your wheelchair - Endorphin Corporation and E n’ Flex, for example. If you’re looking for a cycle with mobility, there are also several models of stand alone hand cycles - Sportaid and Invacare are two of the many manufacturers that offer them.

Raised Toilet Seat

Editor — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 15:05:00 GMT

Question: Good morning, I am enquiring for my mother who is in a wheelchair and is looking for a "raised" toilet seat, but not the typical raised toilet seats one finds everywhere. She has had a "raised" toilet seat for the past 16 years and is looking for a similar style. This looks the same as a "regular" toilet seat with the difference being in the height of the toilet seat stubs - they are about 2 inches high. Please let me know if you know where I can purchase such a toilet seat. I have been calling around my city and searching the web to the best of my ability. I was hoping you may have an answer!

Thanks kindly,

Tom

Answer: Raised toilet seats are widely available, but finding a specific design can be more difficult. Most of the seats that you can purchase online are made from polyproplylene resin or a similar material. They look much like an ordinary toilet seat but provide an additional four to six inches of height. You can get seats with locking mechanisms that clamp in place, and many come with optional armrests for added safety and support. Invacare, Guardian and Lifecare are a few of the brands on the market, but there are several others to choose from as well. Some elevated toilet seats are adjustable, so you can change the seat height. Magnolia makes a model called the Beneke Samaritan which comes in a two-inch lift seat - this one sounds closest to the raised seat you described. You can also check out our article on raised toilet seats for more information.

Wall Heater Guard

Editor — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 15:04:00 GMT

Question: Hello. My brother-in-law has MS and we need help. Do you have any ideas on how we can protect our wall heater from his wheelchair? He is constantly knocking it off the frame. One day I know it is going to explode. I need some ways to build or cover the heater to make his home safer for him.

Thank you,

Linda

Answer: Your options depend to a certain extent on what kind of heater you have, how large it is and how far it sticks out from the wall. If it doesn’t protrude very far, it might be enough to install wall guards or rails on either side of it to prevent his wheelchair from bumping it. Another option is a heater guard that looks like a wire cage; many of them are plastic-coated for a more attractive finish, providing the heater’s output isn’t too high. Such guards are widely available through electrical and heating companies, and you can get them in a variety of standard sizes or have one custom made. If the heater is in a corner and you prefer the look of wood to wire you might have something built that functions along the same lines as a box-like sauna heater guard.

Used Accessibility Products

Editor — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 15:03:00 GMT

Question: About three weeks ago I received a power wheelchair that is a real help getting around. The power chair that I received breaks down into three pieces, so it can

can fit into my car's trunk. The problem is every time I lift up the pieces I re-injure myself. This past Sunday I ended up in a local hospital for 6 hours with a severely strained hip and pelvis. I need my power chair because I have osteoporosis, degenerative disk disease, degenerative facet joint disease and spinal stenosis. I really need a used trunk lift for my car, or a lift that keeps the power chair together and keeps it attached to the back of your vehicle.

The problem is that I am disabled and live on a very small social security disability check each month. I cannot afford to pay full price for a power chair lift. I’m looking for someone who sells used power chair lifts that can attach to my Toyota Camry.

~George

Answer:

There are programs and websites to facilitate the sale, exchange and re-use of pre-owned assistive technology, including wheelchair lifts for cars and vans. Disabled Dealer Magazine and the Medical Equipment and Mobility Auction are two sites where you can find used items for sale. Individual states have recycling, matching or exchange programs for assistive technology, through their State Tech Act Projects or Technology Access Programs. It’s worthwhile looking into what’s available in your area.

Subsidizing Wheelchair Costs

Editor — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 15:01:00 GMT

Question: I am a single, disabled mother with a very low income. I am trying to get authorization from my insurance company for a power wheelchair. I don't know yet if they will cover it for me. I have been dealing with a debilitating problem for many years that is just getting progressively worse. At first I was told I have sciatica, then spinal stenosis and now I have been diagnosed with a severe case of sacroiliitis. All I know is that I am in severe pain for the majority of my day.

I am hoping that my insurance will cover the cost of the power chair because I am unable to take my 9 year old son anywhere that involves walking. However, if my insurance company does cover the chair they won't cover the lift for me to transport the chair. And that is my problem. I am unable to pay for a lift myself. As I have stated I am on a very limit income. I do have a car. A 1996 Chevrolet Lumina. I don't know if this car will support a lift or not.

This brings me to my question: is there a company in San Diego County that will be able to help me obtain a lift for my power chair, in the event that I get one authorized.

I really don't like having to ask for help like this but I have no other recourse. I hope to hear from you soon. Thank you in advance for your help.

~Theresa

Answer:

If you need accessibility or mobility products that your insurance or Medicare won’t cover, there are some organizations that offer financial assistance; however, availability and eligibility varies depending on your specific situation.

Some groups help fund equipment for people with specific disabilities - for example, The Travis Roy Foundation provides grants to help American paraplegics and quadriplegics, who are paralyzed due to spinal injury, pay for accessibility equipment and modifications. The Joseph Patrick Trust is a fund that was set up to help people with muscular dystrophy or related diseases purchase specialized equipment for mobility and independence.

Your local Independent Living Center - The Access Center of San Diego, for example - will have more information on what funding organizations exist in your area. Your state government should also have resources that could help you out, so try contacting the state department that deals with disability or developmental services or rehabilitation.

A wide range of vehicles, including sedans like the Chevrolet Lumina, can be adapted to accommodate a wheelchair lift. A professional assessment will give you the best information as to what type of hitch and lift will work best with your chair and car. The Adaptive Driving Alliance (ADA) - has a tool for seeking out local professionals who specialize in vehicle modification, lifts and other adaptive automotive equipment.

Accessibility Email and Chat Sites

Editor — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 14:54:00 GMT

Question: I have a teenager (13) who is wheelchair bound and I am looking for sites she can chat on line with kids her age and with her disability so she can relate better.

~A. Trombley

Answer:

Here are a few communities you and she might check out:

· Ability Online - a free internet community for young people with disabilities and illnesses.

· Bearable Times - it’s under construction right now, but this kids and teens club offers message boards and an email listserve for young people with illnesses or challenges.

· Connect - a web community for youth with chronic illnesses.

· Kids on Wheels - an online community for young wheelchair users.

· Winners on Wheels - an internet resource and community for empowering kids in wheelchairs.

· Y Connection - a discussion board and chat room for young people with disabilities.

You might also check out the web pages for associations related to your daughter’s specific disability - several of them have lists of resources and links to online communities.

Airline Type Wheelchair

Editor — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 13:33:00 GMT

Question: I am looking for a very narrow wheelchair to get someone into the bathroom and back out. I was thinking of the type that the airlines use to bring a handicapped person up a plane aisle. I called a couple of airlines but they have no idea who can answer this question. Snowbird

Answer: Columbia Medical offers a few airline-style chairs, including the AisleMaster, TravelAide and TransportMate. Other transport chairs - the Comfort Orthopedic or the Convaid Compax, for example - are not as narrow as wheelchairs specially designed for airplane aisles, but they tend to be lightweight. And, unless you get a heavy duty model, they may be narrower than a standard chair.

Wheelchair Access to Stage

Editor — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 13:22:00 GMT

Question: Our Church has started its new building and has included a ramp for the stage area (as required) but this 11 m ramp will create issues in the hall area - where kids play, kids programs are conducted, etc. What other methods of providing access to a stage area can we provide - i.e. open lift, wheel chair raiser similar to taxis, etc. - that is more cost effective, practical and convenient, but still meet the regulations?

Thank You,

Neville

Answer: A vertical platform lift would be an alternative to a wheelchair ramp. It sounds like a portable model might be worth considering - several manufacturers (Ascension, Ameriglide, Adaptive Engineering, Garavneta, National Wheel-O-Vator, ThyssenKrupp Access) make portable lifts designed for providing access to stages and similar raised areas. The most obvious benefit with these lifts is that they can also be wheeled out of the way when they’re not needed. It’s important though to familiarize yourselves both with the requirements of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and with local regulations, to make sure that your church makes the right choice.

Beach Wheelchair

Editor — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 13:21:00 GMT

Question: Searching on line for the best wheelchair to use at the beach is confusing at best. Wondering what consumers/users have found to be the best.

Thank you.

Alice

Answer: A large part of your search for the best beach wheelchair will involve deciding what options or features are important to you. There’s a long list to choose from - do you want a powered or a manual chair? If manual, will it be one you can propel yourself or one that will be pushed or pulled by someone else? A chair that comes with an umbrella or an umbrella holder is a good idea if you want to have some protection from the sun. Some beach wheelchairs can even be taken into the water. The adjustability of different features varies as well - like in the seat back and arm and leg rests, for example - as does the amount of support the chair offers. There are even conversion kits to makeover a regular chair into a beach chair by switching its wheels. Testing out or even renting (if that option is open to you) the chair you’re thinking of getting is a good idea. Many vacation spots have beach chairs for rent, and it’s helpful to see how well the chair moves over sand and rough terrain before you shell out your money. And of course, reviews from other people who’ve tried the chair help too. Anyone have any beach chair recommendations?

Wheelchair Repair Training

Editor — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 13:17:00 GMT

Question: I would like to receive some repair training, have any suggestions where to start? thank you ~Beth

Answer: A good place to start is our article on easy wheelchair repair and our blog post on wheelchair repair training. Some manufacturers - Permobil, for example - offer service training for their products. RESNA (Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Society of North America) offers a credentialing program for assistive technology professionals, including Rehabilitation Engineering Technologists. For ongoing specialist training, the NRRTS (National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers) is a good resource.

Reclining Wheelchair

Editor — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 13:16:00 GMT

Question: I have a sister that is 29 and weighs 27 pounds. I need something that I can push like a stroller that she can recline in since she is so weak and twisted that she cannot sit up. Do you have anything like that or know of anything? thanks, ~Wanda

Answer: For some conditions, positioning aids or a postural support system might be the answer, because they’re designed to help people sit upright in their chairs without falling or slipping. If positioning or posture support isn’t an option in your sister’s case, or if you want to use positioning aids along with a recline feature, there are several options to choose from. Several companies make reclining manual wheelchairs, including Invacare, Sentra, Everest & Jennings, Millennium and Karman. Convaid specializes in stroller-type folding chairs - their line of wheelchairs includes a reclining model as well as chairs with advanced seating systems and tilt-positioning - and Dreamer Design makes Axiom Mobility strollers for adults. Reclining power wheelchairs are also available. In addition wheelchair positioning belts are also an option for stability in a wheelchair.

Two-Wheeled Vehicle

Editor — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 13:09:00 GMT

Question: I'm trying to find information about a vehicle you stand on that has two wheels, and was supposed to be a new way of getting around. If you have any information concerning this device I would appreciate your help.

Thanks,

Brad

Answer: I’m not aware of any two-wheeled vehicle that you stand on and use for getting around. There are several manufacturers who make standing mobility products though - standing wheelchairs (Lifestand, Levo, Redman) and rolling standers or standing frames with wheels (EasyStand by Altimate Medical, for example). Some manufacturers, like Mulholland and Rifton, specialize in standing products for children.

Turning Circle of Electric Wheel Chairs

Editor — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 12:57:00 GMT

Question: We are designing a ramp for disabled access at our College which will have to turn back on itself by 180 degrees. What is the general turning circle for an electric wheelchair please?

Ian

Answer: In comparison to front-wheel drive and mid-wheel drive models, rear-wheel drive electric wheelchairs have the largest turning radius, averaging at 33 to 36 inches. However, if you wish to accommodate electric scooters you’ll have to factor in a wider corner. Many scooter models have a turning radius of 40 to 45 inches - even 64 or 70 inches in some cases. To read more about front-wheel, mid-wheel and rear-wheel chairs please consult our page on Power Wheelchairs.

Low Profile Wheelchair

Editor — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 12:56:00 GMT

Question: My wife recently became unable to walk or support weight due to a cancer that attacked her backbone- multiple myeloma. We are hoping that within a few months she can regain that ability.. But in the meantime….wheelchair van transport to the hospital from the skilled care facility is soon to run out... I have a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan with the stow and go seats. Even large adults can sit comfortably in the second row seats but the actual height floor to ceiling is 48 inches with the seats folded back into the floor. She is only barely 5 feet tall when standing but about 46 inches in the wheelchair. Do they make a low profile wheelchair or power chair that would give us a couple more inches?

Answer: A hemi style wheelchair could give you the additional inches of clearance you’re looking for. A hemi chair has a lower floor to seat height, generally a difference of about two inches. One example is the Traveler Hemi by Everest & Jennings. Another option would be a chair with dual axle positions that could be adjusted to give you a lower seat height - the Invacare Tracer, for instance, or the Guardian Easy Care 2000. If you’re looking for a short term solution, you might check out your local rental options as well.

All-Terrain Chair

Editor — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 12:54:00 GMT

Question: My Mom cannot walk in the woods anymore. She doesn’t have balance or strength. But she would love to go on the trails. What kind of a wheelchair would work for her? (We assume we would push the wheelchair.) The ground is uneven, so we think the wheels would have to be large, and inflated. Any ideas?

Thanks so much!

Sue

Answer: Have you seen our article on all-terrain wheelchairs? Equipped with sturdy frames and rugged, shock-absorbing pneumatic tires, all-terrain chairs are designed to handle the kind of groundcover a regular wheelchair gets bogged down in, like sand, grass or gravel. All-terrain chairs generally have fully rotating wheels in the front to allow full turning and maneuverability, and they come in both power and manual models The main drawback is the higher price - a quick search turned up models ranging between $2500 and $3300 - so be sure to look around at the different options (including wheelchair rental and used chairs).

Wheelchair Width

Editor — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 12:53:00 GMT

Question: What is the width of a standard wheelchair? Thank you very much, ~Vicki

Answer: A standard manual wheelchair with an 18 inch seat will generally have an overall width of 24.5 to 26.5 inches. As a rule, the overall width of the chair tends to be approximately seven to nine inches wider than the seat. If you’re measuring for door clearance you’ll also want to add a few inches to each side, to leave room for hands and knuckles.