Types of Wheelchair

Original Editor - Naomi O'Reilly as part of the Wheelchair Service Provision Content Development Project

Top Contributors - Naomi O'Reilly, Kim Jackson, Shaimaa Eldib, Admin and Amrita Patro  

Introduction

There are a wide variety of types of wheelchair, differing by propulsion method, mechanisms of control, and technology used. Some wheelchairs are designed for general everyday use, others for single activities, or to address specific access needs. No single model or size of wheelchair can meet the needs of all users, and the diversity among users creates a need for different types of wheelchair. Those selecting wheelchairs, in consultation with the user, need to understand the physical needs of the intended user and how they intend to use the wheelchair, as well as knowledge of the reasons for different wheelchair designs.

Appropriate Wheelchair

A wheelchair is appropriate when it meets the individual’s needs and environmental conditions; provides proper fit and postural support based on sound biomechanical principles; is safe and durable; is available and can be accessed, maintained and sustained in the country at the most economical and affordable price. An appropriate wheelchair can assist in opening up a new world for the user, from exclusion to inclusion, participation in all societal activities, and sports and recreation, which all lead to independence, better health and improved quality of life.

Physical Needs

Intended Use

The ability to adjust or customize a wheelchair to meet the user’s physical needs will vary, depending on the type of wheelchair. Wheelchairs should be available in at least a small range of sizes and allow some basic adjustments. Wheelchairs designed for temporary uses (e.g. to be used in a hospital to move patients from one ward to another) are not designed to provide the user with a close fit, postural support or pressure relief, while for long-term users, a wheelchair must fit well and provide good postural support and pressure relief. A range of seat widths and depths, and the possibility to adjust at least the footrest and backrest height are important in ensuring that the wheelchair can be fitted correctly. Other common adjustments and options include cushion types, postural supports and an adjustable wheel position. Highly adjustable or individually modified wheelchairs are designed for long-term users with special postural needs. Such wheelchairs often have additional components added to help support the user.

Wheelchair designs vary to enable users to safely and effectively use their wheelchair in the environment in which they live and work. A wheelchair that is used primarily in rough outdoor environments needs to be robust, more stable and easier to propel over rough ground. A three-wheeled wheelchair that would be well suited to outdoor use. In comparison, a wheelchair that is used indoors on smooth surfaces needs to be easy to manoeuvre in small indoor spaces. Many users live and work in a range of settings, and a compromise is therefore often necessary such as a robust wheelchair with a relatively short wheelbase but large castor wheels. This wheelchair could be used both indoors and outdoors. Users need to be able to get in and out of the wheelchair easily, to propel it efficiently and to repair it. Users may need to transport their wheelchair, for example in a bus or car. Different wheelchair designs allow for wheelchairs to be made more compact in different ways. Some are cross-folding, while others have quick-release wheels and the backrest folds forwards.

Manual Wheelchair

Frames

Both rigid frame and folding wheelchairs have advantages and disadvantages. The best choice will depend on the wheelchair users lifestyle, how they transfer in and out of transport and their personal preference.

Folding Frame

The folding frame types of wheelchairs consist of a folding X Style Frame. Most frames fold when the locking mechanism is released for folding and tend to include removable foot rests which allow for easy folding. Most frames are made from aluminum or titanium and are heavier than the rigid frame. As with anything with moveable parts, the folding wheelchair is not as durable as the rigid frame wheelchair. Therefore maintenance is required more frequently to keep all parts in good working order.

Rigid Frame

A rigid frame wheelchair consists of a single welded frame on which the individual sits. This can incorporate either a fixed back rest or a folding back rest where the back of the chair is able to fold down. It also incorporates wheels can be removed with a quick release mechanism to enable easy storage and transportation of the wheelchair. In most cases these frames are lightweight and are made from either aluminum or titanium, and in some cases from carbon fiber, A lightweight rigid frame wheelchair can weigh as little as 10 lbs without the wheels. The advantage of these types of wheelchairs are that they have fewer moving parts, which means they are generally stronger and last longer than the folding wheelchair.

Sports Wheelchair

Just as other sports require participants to use certain equipment and skills, wheelchair sports require a certain set of equipment and skills. There are a wide range of sports developed for wheelchair users including Archery, basketball, boccia, dancing, racing, rugby, and tennis. Whether a beginner looking to start playing a wheelchair sport, those with advanced skills, or professional athletes, there are a huge range of sports wheelchairs available depending on the sport and the level at which the user plays. The wheelchairs used for each sport have evolved to suit the specific needs of that sport and often no longer resemble their everyday cousins. They are usually non-folding (in order to increase rigidity), with a pronounced negative camber for the wheels (which provides stability and is helpful for making sharp turns), and often are made of composite, lightweight materials. Even seating position may be radically different, with racing wheelchairs generally used in a kneeling position. Sport wheelchairs are rarely suited for everyday use, and are often a 'second' chair specifically for sport use, although some users prefer the sport options for everyday. Some disabled people, for instance lower-limb amputees, may use a wheelchair for sports, but not for everyday activities.

Multi-Sport Wheelchair

Motivation’s Multisports Wheelchair, has been designed for a wide range of users, from school children to adults. The affordable Multisport Wheelchair, is a fraction of the price of ‘Professional’ or 'Specialist Sport Specific' Wheelchairs and yet can compete almost at the same level and is designed to make sport accessible to people with a disability. There are two models, which suit basketball, tennis and no doubt other sports and activities.

The main design features of the chair are;

• adjustable backrest, ensuring that it fits a range of sizes;

• quick release wheels;

• inclined / angled wheels, add to the stability of the wheelchair, especially during sporting activities;

• adjustable back wheel, also called the caster, adding stability;

• lightweight  frame manufactured from common tubular steel;

• highly manoeuvrable, allowing it to used successfully in sporting activities.

• robust and strong, able to withstand the type of rough treatment, that occurs in wheelchair sports.

• removable toe guard at the front, keeps the users feet out of harms way.

Sport Specific Wheelchair

Wheelchair Basketball

Wheelchair basketball, played by two teams of five players, is a fast-paced game where the object is to shoot the ball into the opposing team’s basket. Each team is comprised of five players and up to seven substitutes. A game consists of four periods of ten minutes. The basic rules of wheelchair basketball are very similar to running basketball with  minor adjustments to meet the needs of the game in a wheelchair. The primary piece of equipment in the game of wheelchair basketball is the wheelchair, which has evolved over time alongside the development of the sport and technology. When wheelchair basketball was first played, players just used their everyday wheelchair which were often very heavy, while today wheelchair basketball chairs are specifically developed for the sport, are constructued with aluminium or titanium making them lightweight and streamlined to allow for speed and agility with many cutting-edge, sport-enhancing design features. Basketball Wheelchairs are designed for enhanced stability and mobility and now include an additional fifth and sixth wheel anti-tip devices. The front bumper is designed so that it will not lock with or be held by the opponent. The angle of the wheel base or “camber” is optimal for each athlete to allow for stability and quick turns.  Guards have lower seats and therefore greater stability for ball handling and getting down the court as quickly as possible in comparison to Centers and Forwards whose chairs have higher seats and therefore less mobility, but the height increases the player's reach for shots at the hoop and for rebounds and meets their role which is typically underneath the net.

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