This chapter highlights the importance of manual wheelchairs in improving the quality of life of people with disabilities and their important role in providing mobility and independence.
Materials
Manual wheelchairs can be made of different materials, such as:
- Aluminum: A light and strong material that allows you to reduce the total weight of the wheelchair and provide greater maneuverability.Steel: This material may be a little heavier, but it is characterized by high strength and durability. Wheelchairs made of steel can be more resistant to damage and wear.Titanium: Expensive, but light and strong material that gives the wheelchair a high level of strength and durability.
- Steel: This material may be a little heavier, but it is characterized by high strength and durability. Wheelchairs made of steel can be more resistant to damage and wear.
- Titanium: Expensive, but light and strong material that gives the wheelchair a high level of strength and durability.
Social Integration
One of the huge advantages of manual wheelchairs is their ability to provide access to social life and cultural events. Users can participate in a variety of events, such as concerts, sporting events and meeting friends, which create opportunities for new acquaintances and social contacts.
Comfort and Support
- The seat in the wheelchair must be well adapted to the shape of the user’s body. It should be soft but firm enough to provide optimal support. The ergonomic shape of the seat helps to avoid excessive pressure on certain parts of the body and provides comfort during a long stay in the wheelchair.
- The ability to adjust the position of the seat and backrest is important for the comfort and support of the user. Adjustable elements allow you to adjust the angle of inclination, height and depth of the seat and back, taking into account the individual needs and physiology of the user.
- Properly positioned armrests and half-armrests help keep the user’s arms in a comfortable position while moving. They can be adjusted in height and angle to provide optimal support and comfort.
- The presence of soft pads on the seat and back of the wheelchair adds comfort and prevents skin irritation from prolonged sitting. Additional cushioning in the form of springs or rubber cushions can reduce the impact of road irregularities on the user’s body and increase comfort during movement.
Drive Medical Blue Streak Ultra-Lightweight Wheelchair With Flip-Backs Arms & Swing-Away Footrests
Lightweight Folding Wheelchair: These modern wheelchairs for adults and seniors make independent mobility enjoyable with specialized features. Weighing just 41 pounds, this portable wheelchair folds to a compact 12.5-inch width for easy transport or storage.
Durable Design: The wheelchair features sturdy tires with a push-to-lock function for added safety. It includes an 18-inch seat, swing-away footrests, and flip-back armrests.
Smooth and Stable Ride: The lightweight wheels make this wheelchair easy to maneuver, fitting through most doorways effortlessly.
Flip-back Armrests and Swing-away Footrests: The wheelchair is equipped with padded armrests that flip back for easy transfer and convenience at a desk, while the swing-away footrests are removable.
Dimensions: Overall: 42 inches in length x 24 inches in width x 36 inches in height; folded: 12.5 inches in width; seat: 16 inches in depth x 18 inches in width; armrest height: 8 inches; weight capacity: 250 lbs.
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Medline Durable Steel Wheelchair with Flip-Back Desk-Length Arms, Elevated Leg Rests, 20-Inch Wide Seat, 300-Ib weight capacity, Black
Сomfortable and Customizable:This wheelchair features a 20″W x 16″D seat with swing-back, desk-length arms for easier lateral transfer and access to tables and desks. The elevating leg rests provide greater comfort.
Durable and Robust:Built with a long-lasting hammertone frame, this durable wheelchair for adults and seniors weighs 38 lbs and has a weight capacity of 300 lbs.
Smooth and Effortless Maneuverability: Large wheels and smooth-rolling tires offer exceptional maneuverability for both indoor and outdoor use.
Convenience and Accessibility: This foldable wheelchair includes a brake system to securely lock the wheelchair in place. The nylon upholstery is breathable and easy to clean. DIMENSIONS: Assembled: 32.5”L x 26.5”W x 36.5”H; Folded: 32.5”L x 11.5”W x 36.5”H.
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Drive Medical SSP118FA-SF Silver Sport 1 Folding Transport Wheelchair with Full Arms and Removable Swing-Away Footrest, Black
Lightweight Folding Wheelchair: Our folding wheelchairs for adults make independent mobility easy with specialized features like a carry pocket on the backrest and foldable back canes for transport and storage.
Easy to Transport: Constructed from powder-coated silver vein steel, our transport chairs for seniors and adults weigh only 37.6 lbs, making them durable, lightweight, attractive, and easy to clean.
Superior Support: Enhanced with nylon upholstery, our wheelchairs also feature padded arms for comfortable and reliable support.
Durable Design: This portable wheelchair features urethane tires mounted on composite wheels for durability and low maintenance. It comes with push-to-lock wheel locks.
Dimensions: 43.5 inches in length x 24 inches in width x 36 inches in height; width when closed: 11 inches; seat: 15.75 inches in depth x 18 inches in width x 19.5 inches in height; armrest height: 8 inches; weight capacity: 250 lbs.
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Drive Medical BLS18FBD-ELR Blue Streak Lightweight Wheelchair with Swing-Away Elevating Leg Rests and Flip-Back Arms
Cutting-edge wheelchair design makes independent mobility enjoyable.
Detachable desk arms and premium elevated leg rests provide customizable support. The 18″ padded nylon wheelchair seat ensures lasting comfort and is easy to clean (avoid abrasive cleansers that may scratch the finish).
Durable tires with push-to-lock functionality enhance safety and come with a calf strap.
Overall dimensions: 42″(L) x 24″(W) x 36″(H); closed width: 12.5″; seat dimensions: 16″(D) x 18″(W) x 19.5″(H); armrest height: 8″; weight capacity: 250 pounds. Includes push-to-lock wheel locks.
Seat-to-floor height: 19.5 inches.
Note: The leg rests are a separate component within the box and are not pre-attached.