Following is a list of things to consider when you are choosing a wheelchair.
Choosing a Vendor:
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Do you have a local vendor who knows about wheelchairs?
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What local (or other) vendors are recommended by people you know who use wheelchairs?
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Does the vendor service the chairs they sell?
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Will they come to your home to provide service? Or do you have to take the chair to the vendor?
Financial Issues:
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How will you pay for the chair?
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Can the vendor help you find funding if needed?
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What wheelchair features does your insurer consider to be “medically necessary”?
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Features not considered to be “medically necessary” may not be covered.
Wheelchair Size / Shape / Versatility:
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How long is the chair?
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How wide is it?
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How much does it weigh?
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Does the chair fold? Does it need to?
Wheelchair Maintainence:
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Who will clean and maintain the chair at home? At school? (Sometimes power chairs are left at school.)
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Is it “growable”? If not, how long will the person be able to use it?
Using the Wheelchair:
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Who will be pushing the chair? Would taller push handles be helpful?
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Who will be lifting the chair?
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Can the chair be used in all environments – home, school, job, community?
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Will ramps be needed at these locations? If so, who will provide them?
Traveling with the Wheelchair:
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Will the person ride in the chair in the family automobile? School bus or van? Other vehicles?
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Will the person have enough headroom in each vehicle?
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Are tie downs needed for those vehicles? If so, who will provide them?
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Are ramps or lifts needed for those vehicles? If so, who will provide them?
Wheelchair Frame:
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Is it lightweight, for easy pushing and lifting?
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Is it heavy duty, for use by a person who weighs more than 250 pounds, has severe tone issues, or is very active?
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Does it have a “tilt-in-space” frame?
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Does it have a reclining frame?
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Is it low to the floor, so that the user has enough head space when riding in a van and/or transfer safely and easily?
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Is it able to support attachments, such as oxygen tank, ventilator, suction machine, or mounting system for a communication device?
Wheelchair Armrests:
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Are they removable for easier transfers?
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Is the height adjustable to support a lap tray?
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Does the desk length to allow getting close to tables and desks?
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Are they able to flip back so it is easier to reach wheels?
Wheelchair Leg / Foot Supports:
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Are they removable?
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Do the swing-away to assist in transferring?
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Are they able to be elevated?
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Do they provide with a fixed front end for users with excessive tone?
Wheelchair Foot Plates:
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Is the angle adjustable?
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Are they extra large?
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Are they metal or high-density plastic?
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Do they provide with heel or toe loops? Do they flip-up?
Wheelchair Wheels:
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Are the rear wheels 12″, 20″, or 24″ size?
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Are there solid, semi-pneumaticor pneumatic tires?
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Are they equipped with hand rims for self-wheelers?
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Are there front casters? Are they 5″, 6″, or 8″ size?
Why Use Special Seating?
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Supports the pelvis
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Solid, firm seats provide a stable surface for the pelvis
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Contoured seat helps to center pelvis
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Anti–thrust seats help keep the pelvis from sliding forward
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Hip guides and abductors help align hips and thighs
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Gel seats, air-filled cushions or special foams help prevent pressure sores
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Lap belts are used to keep hips back on the seat
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Supports the trunk
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Firm, solid backrest supports the trunk from behind and discourages rounded postur
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Contouring of the backrest may be needed to add lumbar support