Featured Guide

Wheelchair Buyers Guide

Welcome to a basic introduction in choosing a wheelchair. In this wheelchair guide we will help guide you into choosing a wheelchair that is right for you.

Choosing a new wheelchair can be a daunting task, as there are so many designs to choose from. There are Electric Wheelchairs, Folding Wheelchairs, Rigid Frame Wheelchairs and the more specialised Sports Wheelchairs. The most common source of a first wheelchair is usually from a Wheelchair Clinic by prescription, or bought from a commercial wheelchair company.

When choosing a new wheelchair, you should always try more than one wheelchair before making your final choice. Also, you should take advice from occupational and physical therapists as to which types of chair you will need.

Manual Wheelchairs

If you have the ability to push your wheelchair, you will need what is known as a manual wheelchair. The user propels these wheelchairs by pushing rims on the back wheels.

The cost of a manual wheelchair can vary from £250 - £4,000, this variation in price depends on what the wheelchair is made from, and if it is a built to measure (bespoke design) design, or "standard design.

There are many materials a wheelchair can be made from which include:

•  Steel
•  Aluminium
•  Titanium
•  Carbon Fibre

There are two types of wheelchair which to consider. These are a Rigid Frame Wheelchair and a Folding Frame Wheelchair.

Rigid Frame Wheelchairs

Generally, a rigid frame wheelchair will consist of a welded frame on which the person sits. The back of the chair has the ability to fold down, and the wheels have a quick release mechanism to enable easy transportation and storage of the wheelchair.

Most rigid frame wheelchairs are made from either aluminium or titanium, but there are some specialist wheelchairs made from carbon fibre. A lightweight rigid frame wheelchair can weigh as little as 10lbs without its wheels. As the chair is lighter, it will be easier to push, therefore putting less stress on your shoulder joints.

As rigid frame wheelchairs have less moving parts, they are generally stronger than folding wheelchairs and last longer.

Folding Frame Wheelchairs

A folding frame wheelchair is a wheelchair whose frame is collapsible sideways by the use of an X mechanism in the frame. This mechanism is lockable, and the wheelchair folds on release of two locking levers on the chair.

Because the folding wheelchair has an X mechanism, locking levers and re-enforcing struts, it is usually heavier than a rigid frame wheelchair. Folding wheelchairs also have movable footrests that allow the chair to collapse. Early folding chairs were made from steel, but now days they are made from aluminium or titanium.

As there are more moving parts in the folding chair, and movable joints, the chair is not as durable as a rigid frame wheelchair. This in turn will mean a higher maintenance is required to keep the wheelchair in good condition.

Sports Wheelchairs

As sports have become more inclusive to disabled people, standard wheelchairs are no longer good enough in competitions, and lightweight sports wheelchairs have become the standard.

You only need to look at the pictures from the Paralympics to see the wide variation in wheelchair designs.

These chairs are lightweight, and have been designed specifically for one sport, taking feedback from users in how the chair can be improved for a specific sport.

The sports wheelchairs use the latest technology, and utilise the lightest materials such as carbon fibre and titanium to ensure maximum manoeuvrability and speed.

The most popular wheelchair sports to use specialist wheelchairs are:

• Wheelchair Athletics
• Wheelchair Basketball
• Wheelchair Dance Sport
• Wheelchair Fencing
• Wheelchair Rugby
• Wheelchair Tennis
• Wheelchair Curling
• Wheelchair Skiing

A sports wheelchair is very specialised, and is built for the sole purpose of a particular sport in terms of speed, manoeuvrability and strength.

If you are competing in a sport, it is very important you get the right wheelchair for the sport you are taking part in. This is not only so you can be competitive, but also because of safety issues such as the stability and strength of the chair.

The prices of sports wheelchairs vary widely depending on the sport, but they can range from £1500 - £6000). One way many fund their sports is through sponsorship, and there are may companies willing to help fund costs in return for a little advertising and publicity.

Electric Wheelchairs

Electric wheelchairs are usually a lot heavier than manual wheelchairs because the frame has to be stronger in order to support the battery and motors. The level of sophistication in electric wheelchairs also varies widely, from just using standard batteries and a joy stick controller, right up to using microprocessor controlled gyroscopic circuitry which enables the chair to rise on two wheels!
Because the level of sophistication varies so widely, so do the prices, from around £1000 - £16000. The latest and most high tech wheelchair at the moment, is the iBOT. The iBOT mobility system can climb stairs, bump up curbs, glide through gravel and even elevate a seated passenger to reach the top shelf at a grocery store.

Essentially, the iBOT is a gyro-balanced mobility device designed to operate either on four or two wheels, stabilizing the user by automatically adjusting itself to compensate for any shift in weight.

This degree of sophistication does come at a price though, and at £16,000 it is only available to those with very deep pockets! To many Electric wheelchair users, the average price of a wheelchair will be around £3500.

When choosing an electric wheelchair, be sure to use a reputable make from a licence supplier. This will ensure you receive full back up if the chair needs servicing. Also beware of second hand electric wheelchairs, as they can suffer from cracked frames, faulty batteries and worn out motors.