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Manual Wheelchairs

If you're a wheelchair user, you know all the obvious things you need to take into account before choosing one.

If this is all new to you, you really need to spend some time comparing, and preferably trying different models.

Lower down this page is a range of information about manual wheelchairs.

You can click to go straight to more on:

Wheelchair components
Special wheelchair features

or, you can download a PDF with all the information - Choosing a manual wheelchair

Some manual wheelchair suppliers.
Clicking on a highlighted name will open
their showcase page in a new window:

1st Call Mobility bariatric chairs
Bin To Mobility Products
Chunc Wheelchairs
Discount Scooters
Drive Medical
Force Ten Co
Gerald Simonds Healthcare
Karma Mobility
Mobility Aids Centre
Otto Bock
ShieldWell pneumatic tyre sealant
Sunrise Medical
Totally Active
Wheel Freedom manual wheelchair rental

Lightweight rigid wheelchair

A lightweight rigid wheelchair, such as the Enigma Super Deluxe (right), offers a combination of safety and durability with convenient features such as flip-back armrests and swingaway footrests for easier transfers, and height-adjustable rear wheels.

It is available in self-propelled and attendant-assisted versions, and can be quickly demounted for easier transportation.

Bariatric wheelchair

For larger users, there are bariatric wheelchairs available (left), with seat widths of up to 28", compared with the standard 16" and 18" options.

The chair frames are specially reinforced and made from heavy duty materials such as stainless steel, to enable them to carry loads of over 30 stone (190 kg).

Folding transit wheelchairs

At the opposite end of the weight spectrum, a lightweight folding chair such as Discount Scooters' transport travel chair (right) has an innovative collapsing design that makes it one of the most practical and transportable wheelchairs available.

This unique travel chair weighs just 7.5 kg and folds flat into a neat and compact carry unit which can be stored in very small spaces.

It is suitable for users up to a maximum weight of 16.5 stone (105 kg).

Karma's new Ergo 105 folding wheelchair, (left) combines lightness and transportability with many clever design features, such as upholstery with inbuilt anti-bacterial protection, an ergonomic seat shape that helps to prevent sliding and pressure sores, and comfortable outrigged armrests that reduce the overall width.

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Help choosing the right manual wheelchair for you. Click on a highlighted word and the explanation will open in a new browser window.

Components

• Frame - materials, type

• Seat - dimensions, weight

• Backrests - dimensions, fold backwards/forwards, pushing handles, adjustable height

• Tyres - pneumatic, puncture-proof, solid

• Drive wheels - type, size

• Footrests - fixed, swing-away, detachable, one piece, elevating

• Armrests - desk-style, adjustable height, fold-up-fold-down/swing-away, detachable

Special features

• Active user wheelchairs

• Lever-propelled wheelchairs

• One-arm-drive wheelchairs

• Catering for amputees

• Elevating seat

• Low-seat wheelchairs

• Comfort wheelchairs

• Wheelchairs with a reclining backrest

• Tilt-in-space seat unit

• Stand-up wheelchairs

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