Manual Wheelchairs

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According to TheMedSupplyGuide.com

Determining Your Needs

The first decision is manual or power wheelchair. This choice can sometimes be easy, as you may be forced into one or the other for economical or physical reasons.

The standard wheelchair is characterized by a cross-brace frame (allows folding ), built-in or removable arm rests, swing-away footrests, a mid- to high-level back, two large wheels (usually 20-26") with push rims, two small wheels in the front (castors) and push handles to allow non-occupants to propel the chair. Most standard wheelchairs require a significant amount of energy to propel, thus making them impractical for active users. There are also many variations to the standard wheelchair.

Standard Ultra Lightweight

Manual Wheelchair Advantages vs Electric Wheelchairs

Lightweight - easier to push
Unlimited Range
In most cases they cost less
Easier to transport
Easier to maneuver
Allow for more physical activity

Before Purchasing Remember to:

Talk with a therapeutic Recreation Specialist. They can give you ideas about special chair features for recreational and leisure.
Ask your Physical/ Occupational Therapist for suggestions on the type of chair or features that can help to make it easier to do your daily activities at home or at work.
Talk with individuals who use or have purchased wheelchairs in the past. Look at their chairs, see what features they have. Ask them what they like and dislike.
Get as much information as you can. Call wheelchair suppliers to get information on the types, styles, features, and costs of their chairs.

How to Choose a Wheelchair: Take a look below for some valuable resources.

www.medicine.uiowa.edu - Choosing a wheelchair & wheelchair seating options.
www.disabledliving.org.uk - Choosing a standard self propelled wheelchair.
www.disabledliving.org.uk - Choosing an active user wheelchair.
www.abledata.com - Manual wheelchair information
Wheelchair Buying Guide - 1800wheelchair.com
Another Wheelchair Buying Guide - Edmond Wheelchair

Leading Manual Wheelchair Manufacturers

Invacare - Invacare is an industry leader in the $6-billion market for home medical products, manufacturing and distributing the world's broadest product offering to approximately 15,000 independent, home medical equipment (HME) providers. Invacare reports results along three geographic segments (North America, Europe and Australasia) and groups its products into four distinct product categories (Standard, Rehab, Medical Supplies and Respiratory). See The Invacare Home Page

Sunrise Medical - Sunrise Medical is one of the world's largest manufacturers of homecare and extended care products. Founded in 1983, the Sunrise Medical family of products has been built from many of the most popular brands in the homecare industry including Quickie, Sopur, Jay, DeVilbiss, Hoyer, Guardian, Coopers, Oxford and Joerns. Sunrise operates manufacturing facilities in the United States, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Spain. See The Sunrise Medical Home Page

Everest & Jennings - Everest & Jennings, one of the first wheelchair manufacturers, is one of the world's leading suppliers of homecare, rehabilitation, and long-term care products. Designed the first manual wheelchair in 1933. See The Everest & Jennings Home Page

Other Smaller Wheelchair Manufacturers - There are also many smaller tier wheelchair manufacturers. A smaller manufacturer doesn't have as much money or resources to get your attention. In most situations they are more willing to go the extra mile to make sure you are happy with their products, because they are both the manufacturer and retailer. A smaller manufacturer will try to fill niche markets rather than try to appeal to the masses like the larger companies. The one drawback to the smaller wheelchair manufacturer is that they may not have all the bells and whistles that may come with the R&D that the big companies have access to. Keep this in mind when choosing a manufacturer.

More Company Profiles Coming Soon......

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) recently approved a complete set of standards for wheelchairs. These standards consist of standard methods of disclosing information (example: How do you measure the width of a seat? Inside to inside of each tube, or width of a cushion and standard test methods to test a chair's strength, "tip-ability," turning radius, and so forth.

Copies of the standards are available from RESNA for $180 for the complete set. The standards consist of eighteen separate parts, such as standards for brakes, test methods to determine the stability of a wheelchair, standard methods to measure wheelchairs, and so forth. These probably would be of interest only to manufacturers and others who are going to conduct testing themselves, as they are very technical documents. However, there are some good summary documents available that describe the standards for therapists and the lay person.

Wheelchair manufacturers in the United States have recently begun advertising that their wheelchairs have been tested according to these standards. It is expected that most other manufacturers will follow suit--and advertising this fact to the public.

Available from: RESNA, 1700 N. Moore Street, Suite 1540, Arlington, VA 22209. Telephone: 703/524-6686 Price: $180 for the complete set of eighteen standards; $15 for individual standards.

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