Information AboutWheelchair |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT WHEELCHAIR | |
| assistive technology | |
| disability | |
| patient transport | |
| accessibility | |
| vehicles | |
| medical equipment | |
| chairs | |
| human powered vehicles | |
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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.
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 ]] 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. EXTERNAL LINKS
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