The wheelchair, commonly known as a wheelchair, allows a person who has difficulty walking to move more easily. There are different models of wheelchairs with specific features adapted to the needs of people with reduced mobility. The choice is made according to the degree of disability of the person and his environment.

A wheelchair, also called a wheelchair, is a device consisting of a wheelchair fitted with wheels (mechanical or electric), used to move people with reduced mobility. This provides functional mobility for people who have difficulty walking or are unable to walk. It can be moved by the user or by an accompanying person.

The wheelchair facilitates, temporarily or permanently, following an accident, illness or disability, the daily life of people with:

• inability to walk;
• mobility difficulties of the lower limbs;
• great fatigue.

There are different models of wheelchairs with specific features adapted to the needs of people with reduced mobility. The choice is made according to the degree of disability of the person and his environment.

Manual wheelchairs

Manual wheelchairs are equipped with a seat, a reclining or non-reclining backrest, a footrest and four wheels. There are several kinds :

• the active wheelchair: the most widely used model, it is very manoeuvrable, easy to use and particularly suitable for relatively autonomous people. The user makes use of his hands to move his chair. This consequently requires an essential physical effort to move the seat forward. Equipped with two large rear wheels, it is light in weight and can also be foldable, which makes it easy to transport;
• the comfort wheelchair: this offers a more comfortable seat thanks to a higher backrest and a reclining seat. It is particularly suitable for people who need good support;
• the shell seat: intended for dependent people who cannot move on their own, often bedridden in a medical bed. This allows you to spend part of the day out of bed. This chair has several tilt positions which allow you to modify the points of support;
• the transfer chair: this enables the person to be mobilized over a relatively short period of time and facilitates the transport of patients.

Electric wheelchairs

Often prescribed for patients with severe disabilities, the power wheelchair is operated by the person occupying it. It allows to benefit from a greater autonomy thanks to its electric control. The control can be done by hand or using the chin. It offers greater maneuverability. There are several different engines:

• propulsion ;
• traction ;
• vehicle with four or six driving wheels.

A wheelchair is used as follows:

• to move forward and backward: simply disengage the brakes, hold the handrails attached to the rear wheels and push forward or pull back;
• to get out of the wheelchair, it is recommended to make sure that the brakes are engaged;
• it is also recommended to bring the handrails as far as possible so that the chair moves more easily and that its movement is more fluid.

Precautions for use

For the wheelchair to be used safely, it is essential that the user is stable and can maintain his balance. To ensure its stability and balance, the following guidelines must be observed:

• only get into the wheelchair when it is completely unfolded and the brakes are engaged;
• if you wish to lean forward, do not go beyond the end of the armrests, and make sure that the caster wheels point forward;
• do not try to pick up objects that are on the ground if you have to lean forward to reach them;
• do not lean over the back of the wheelchair;
• do not attempt to climb over curbs or over other obstacles;
• do not tilt the wheelchair without the help of another person;
• do not use an escalator to move the wheelchair from one floor to another;
• do not attempt to climb or descend an inclined surface that is wet, icy or oily;
• do not cross, climb or descend access ramps or inclined surfaces whose angle exceeds nine degrees.

Several criteria must be taken into account:

• the environment in which the wheelchair will be used (indoor and outdoor);
• the level of autonomy;
• the lifestyle.

Each wheelchair has specific characteristics that allow it to meet the individual needs of its user and ensure optimal posture:

• the seat width;
• seat depth;
• the height of the backrest;
• the size of the armrests;
• seat height front / rear;
• the width ;
• the height ;
• the length ;
• the width of the folded chair;
• the weight of the chair;
• the inclination of the backrest;
• the length of the legs (for the footrest).

There are additional options to have the most comfortable and secure equipment possible, such as:

• anti-decubitus cushions;
• tablets;
• headrests etc.

In addition, the different models of wheelchairs include:

• wheelchairs for children: some models are scalable and can adapt to the size and age of the child from 18 months to 14 years. It is recommended to favor a robust model, equipped with removable and washable covers;
• wheelchairs for the elderly: it is better to favor a light model, easy to use, which adapts to the patient’s lifestyle and the expected frequency of use;
• folding wheelchairs: correspond to a manual wheelchair model whose design is particularly studied to simplify transport. This model is also appreciated for its compact size and lightness. The folding wheelchair also adapts to the needs of patients who are able to alternate between walking and using the wheelchair;
• all-terrain wheelchairs: fitted with three or four wheels depending on the model, the all-terrain wheelchair is specially designed to adapt to more rugged terrain; it can be driven on sand, snow, gravel, mud, etc.
• multi-sport wheelchairs: specially designed for disabled athletes, this type of wheelchair stands out for its lightness and maneuverability. It can only be used during competitions or sports training. Many models exist depending on the discipline practiced.