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The material used to manufacture a wheelchair ramp will often depend on the type of ramp and its intended use. Is it a permanent structure or is it temporary?

If the ramp is a permanent structure then wood, steel, or concrete can be use. Combined with the appropriate non-slip materials, construction plans, and maintenance, these materials are perfect solution for permanent ramp structures.

Temporary & semi-permanent wheelchair ramps (modular ramps) are typically manufactured using aluminum. They are lightweight and virtually maintenance free ...

The number of motors needed for a lift chair will depend on a variety of factors including weight capacity, the needs of the user, and the number of chair positions.

A basic lift chair will have one motor that will lift and recline the user. An infinite position lift chair, on the other hand, offers 2 motors that allow the user to adjust the head and foot rests independently. There are even bariatric lift chairs, with 3 motors, that are designed ...

Medicare stopped reimbursement for electric lift chairs in the early 90’s and now will only reimburse for the chair’s lift mechanism and motor. This will usually come out to be close to $300.

Below is the criteria that Medicare uses to determine if an individual is eligible for lift chair reimbursement:

• Does the individual have severe arthritis of the hip or knees?
• Does the individual have a severe neuromuscular disease?
• Is the lift chair prescribed by your doctor? If so, is it part of ...

Sports wheelchairs offer increased mobility (even compared to a lightweight wheelchair) combined with a much smaller turning radius. Most are made from lightweight materials like titanium and aluminum. The only drawback is that most have a rigid, non-folding frame. In most cases, a sports wheelchair will be custom built for the user and cost anywhere from 2k – 8k.

Example of Sports Wheelchair (For Racing):

There are variations to the standard wheelchair that many people don’t know about. Below is a short list of a few of them.

• One-Arm-Driven Wheelchairs – In a one arm drive wheelchair the left and right wheel axles are linked allowing the user to propel themselves utilizing a hand rim. Heavier than most standard wheelchairs (more components) Take this one for a test drive before purchasing to ensure the user is able to use the chair efficiently. It may take a ...

Large wheelchair manufacturers like Invacare, Everest & Jennings, Quickie, and Permobil have the money and resources to produce excellent chairs. Who is selling you their chair though, they’re the distributors? The retail dealers actually sell you the chairs.

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. ...

It may be a good idea to purchase more than one wheelchair. Having a backup is always a good idea because sooner or later your main power or manual wheelchair may need maintenance. Also, if you are very active you may want to purchase a chair designed for a specific sport or activity.

Individuals that are full time power wheelchair users may need to have multiple chairs for indoor and outdoor use. It is also a good idea to have another ...

Transport Wheelchairs are made for occasional use. They are typically used in hospitals for moving patients from one area to another. Similar in size and weight to a standard folding wheelchair with the exception of wheel size. They are lightweight and portable. Transport wheelchairs will often use castor wheels instead of the typical large back wheels and push ...

Deciding between a manual or power wheelchair can be a difficult decision. Your physical condition, abilities, and transportation options should be evaluated before making a determination that could impact your quality of life for many years to come. Many users are forced into one or the other for physical or economical reasons. But, if you had the ability to choose one or the other, how would you do it? (Always consult a occupational or physical therapist first).

Power wheelchairs give users ...

Lightweight and ultra-lightweight wheelchairs both provide freedom to the user with the least amount of effort. The frames and most of the components are made from titanium or aluminum, so they’ll weigh anywhere from 11 – 35 lbs. They reduce upper body stress and increase the overall ...

The battery used in most power wheelchairs is a (deep cycle) lead acid battery that is either a wet cell, a gel cell, or an AGM (absorbed glass matt) battery. Although they look and feel similar, electric wheelchair batteries shouldn’t be confused with car batteries. They are vastly different in design and use and should never be interchanged.

Wet cell batteries typically hold a charge for longer and offer more power than the gel cell variety. There major drawback comes ...

There are a variety of options when in comes to the wheels and tires of your power wheelchair. Most suppliers will typically offer 3 types: Pneumatic (air filled), foam filled, and solid rubber.

• Pneumatic tires offer an extremely smooth and stable ride but lose points when it comes to maintenance. They need constant upkeep and will often lose air, or if punctured, can go completely flat. Most power wheelchair users enjoy the performance that pneumatic tires offer but will not use ...

Usually the manufacturer of your electric wheelchair will advertise a range that the wheelchair or scooter can travel between charges. Usually they will word it as: “between — and — miles”. In most cases it is anywhere from 10 – 20 miles. The range also depends on the users weight, ground level, and temperature. You can fully charge an empty battery overnight (8 hrs). Most new batteries have a life span of approximately 2 years.

To increase the range of your ...

In most cases the answer is Yes. Most modern power wheelchairs can be taken apart and loaded into a vehicle. If the mobility device does not breakdown you may want to invest in a wheelchair lift or possibly a ramp to allow for transportation. If you’re taking a trip that requires air travel or if you’re going on a cruise there are additional concerns you may need to address. The battery for one is probably going to be the airlines ...