MODERN MANUAL WHEELCHAIRS

On this page are bitmap drawings featuring a side view and a top view of one type of modern manual wheelchair:

Manual Wheelchair Side View

Manual Wheelchair Top View

THE ROLE OF MANUAL WHEELCHAIRS

In our earlier discussion relevant to "Accomodating A Spectrum Of Wheelchair Users", we mentioned the importance of understanding the role that each type of wheelchair plays in accomodating varying users.

Manual wheelchairs accomodate the following users:

-- Inpatients who ride in manual wheelchairs from their care area to the entrance of the facility at the time of discharge

-- Inpatients who use manual wheelchairs on the hospital or medical center premises during their stay at the hospital or medical center.

-- People who use manual wheelchairs while recovering from an injury or illness.

-- People -- whether temporary or "permanent" users -- who prefer the use of a manual wheelchair over a powered wheelchair.

-- People who can afford only a manual wheelchair and not a powered one.

-- Continuous users of manual wheelchairs who are able to move their wheelchair with their feet or who have an assistant to move them around in their wheelchair.

-- Continuous users of manual wheelchairs who are able to push themselves around in their manual wheelchairs using the handrails on the large rear wheels of wheelchairs so equipped.

MANUAL WHEELCHAIR WHEEL CONFIGURATIONS

The most common wheel configuration as shown in the bitmap drawings above consists of two small front wheels mounted in swiveling forks and two large rear wheels with outer railings to permit pushing of the wheelchair by the person sitting in it.