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A wheelchair is mobility device that takes the form of a Chair on Wheel s, used by people for whom Walking is difficult or impossible due to Illness or Disability . They incorporate supportive seating to aid posture and Pressure Cushion s, in many cases. Wheelchairs and seating solutions often are purchased through insurance or government entitlement programs both of which classify them as Medical Device . They are prescribed typically by highly specialised physio- or occupational therapists.


TYPES OF WHEELCHAIR



Manual wheelchairs


Manual wheelchairs are those that require human power to move them. There are three types of manual wheelchair: self-propelled, attendant-propelled, and wheelbase. Almost all manual wheelchairs can be folded for storage or placement into a vehicle.

  • Self-propelled wheelchairs—These are propelled by the occupant usually by using large rear wheels, typically 24" in diameter (variable 20"-26". The rider moves a self-propelled manual chair by pushing handrims; circular tubing on the outside of the large wheels, with their hands, The handrims have a diameter that is slightly less than that of the rear wheels. Skilled users can control speed and turning and often learn to balance the chair on its rear wheels - do a "wheelie". The wheelie is not just for show - a rider that can control the chair in this manner can climb and descend curbs and move over small obstacles.


  • One-arm drive enables individuals to guide and propel the wheelchair from one side. Two handrims, one smaller than the other, are located on one side of the chair, left or right. On most models the outer, or smaller rim, is connected to the opposite wheel by a folding axle. When both handrims are grasped together, the chair may be propelled forward or backward in a straight line. When either handrim is moved independently, the chair will turn left or right in response to the handrim used. An alternative is a lever-drive chair that propells the chair forwards by using a lever that is pumped back and forth. Some chairs are also configured to allow the occupant to propell using one or both feet instead of using the rims.



  • Light weight and high cost are related in the manual wheelchairs market. At the low-cost end, heavy, tubular steel chairs with sling seats and little adaptability dominate. These chairs, called "depot chairs" or "chrome buggies" are seen in airports, institutions and hospitals. They are awkward and lack durabililty and cry out with the image of "Disability". In the middle of the market, major manufacturers such as Invacare, Sunrise Medical and others make a variety of higher strength and lighter weight chairs that are owned and used by individuals, generally as result of a physicians prescription. These chairs are metal and offer some relief as to weight in order to meet the requirements of the reimbursement criteria for programs like Medicare. Most of these mid-range chair have sling seats but often are adapted with the users own specialized seating system. One synthetic wheelchair from Turbo Wheelchair, made from engineering plastics, introduces a solid seat in a colorful, lightweight folding product. Wheelchair testing at the University Of Pittsburgh 's Human Engineering Research Lab indicates that wheelchairs made of this material complete six cyles [http://merlexi.com/news.htm] of durability testing without failure (one cycle is required).

  • High end manual wheelchair from Colours in Motion or TiLite with titanium or composite frames are extremely expensive but meet the needs of the young and athletic population that needs wheeled mobility.





  • Attendant propelled wheelchairs—These are wheelchairs that can only be pushed by another person, having two 12" wheels instead of two large wheels in the rear and two small 8-inch castor wheels at the front. Such chairs are more compact though harder to push for an attendant than self-propelled chairs.


  • Wheelbases—These are wheeled platforms with specially- Mould ed seating systems interfaced with them for those with a more complicated Posture . A moulded seating system involves taking a cast of a person's best achievable seated position and the either carving the shape from Memory Foam or forming a plastic mesh around it. This seat is then covered, framed, and attached to a wheelbase.



Electric wheelchairs

Electric wheelchairs, or "power chairs," use Electric Motors to move the wheels. They are usually powered by 4 or 5 Amp deep-cycle Rechargeable Batteries , similar to those used to power Outboard Boat Engines . They may be designed specifically for indoor use, outdoor use, or both.

The user typically controls speed and direction by operating a Joystick . Many other input devices can be used if the user lacks Coordination or the use of the hands or fingers, such as chin controls and puff/suck scanners for those with C2-3 Spinal Cord Lesion s or head injuries. Power chairs can offer various powered functions such as tilt, recline, leg elevation, seat elevation, etc. Three styles of power chairs exist: rear, centre, and front wheel driven. Each style has particular handling characteristics.

A standing wheelchair is one that supports the user in a nearly standing position. They can be used as both a wheelchair and a Standing Frame , allowing the user to sit or stand in the wheelchair as they wish. They often go from sitting to standing with a Hydraulic Pump or electric-powered assist.

In 2005, University Of Toronto researcher Alex Mihailidis and colleagues Jesse Hoey and Daniel Gunn developed an anti-collision system for powered wheelchairs. [http://www.news.utoronto.ca/bin6/051122-1835.asp].


GENERAL

Wheelchairs come in many sizes and colors and are usually highly customized for the individual user, with many configurations possible including seat size (width and depth), seat-to-floor height, footrests/leg rests, front Caster outriggers, tension adjustable backrests, and much more.

in the early 1980s .]]
All models of Wheelchair are available with a range of accessories that ensure safety, stability, postural integrity, and functional ability of the occupant. These may be, for example, anti-tipping levers (prevent rearward instability when ascending a gradient), posture belts, tension adjustable backrest, tilt and/or recline etc. Some powerchairs are modular and allow the power-unit to be disengaged and replaced with a manual option. Some companies make power assisted hubs for self propelling chairs.

Experiments have also been made with unusual variant wheels, like the Omniwheel or the Mecanum Wheel . These allow more directional movement options. The electric wheelchair shown on the right is fitted with Mecanum Wheels (sometimes known as Ilon wheels) which give it complete freedom of movement. It can be driven forwards, backwards, sideways, and diagonally, and also turned round on the spot or turned around while moving, all operated from a simple joystick.

Disabled athletes use streamlined sport wheelchairs for sports that require speed and agility, such as Basketball , Rugby , Tennis and Racing .


BUILDINGS

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Adapting the built environment to make it more accessible to wheelchair users is one of the key Campaign s of Disability Rights Movement s and the Americans With Disabilities Act Of 1990 (ADA). The most important principle is Level Access - that all changes in level be supplied with ramps or Elevator s in order to permit people in wheelchairs to negotiate them. Other important adaptations are powered doors; lowered fixtures such as sinks and water fountains; and Toilet s with adequate space and grab bars to allow the person to manoeuvre himself or herself out of the wheelchair onto the fixture.

For example, the construction of Low Floor Tram s and Bus es is being encouraged whereas the use of Paternoster s in public buildings without any alternative method of transportation has been criticized due to the lack of access for wheelchair users. Modern Street Furniture design now incorporates better accessibility for people with disabilities.


NOTABLE USERS




FICTIONAL


Reilly O'Reilly in "John Callaghan's Quads": the main character in a satircal cartoon about a quadriplegic and his unusual friends. The definitive cartoon for people with spinal injuries!

Joe Flaherty's '' SCTV '' character "Guy Caballero" used a wheelchair, to try and gain sympathy around the network he owned. The character of Andy in '' Little Britain '' does the same.

Peter Seller's title character in the 1964 comedy film '''' can suddenly walk, just before the final bombs in the movie explode. John Locke on the television series '' Lost '' is no longer paraplegic, after the jet he was on crashes on a mysterious island.


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