Wheelchair Accessories

When you are looking for a replacement battery for a powered wheelchair or scooter, make sure that you choose one that is maintenance-free.

Permanently sealed batteries do not need to be topped up with water or acid. AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) and VRLA (Lead Acid) dry cell batteries (also known as gel batteries) are spill-proof and leak-proof.

Battery suppliers often have special mobility batteries, designed for use in mobility equipment, with features that make them reliable and easy to use, with a long service life.

Cushions made from siliconised polyester fibre resist flattening and matting, and so retain their shape and supportive qualities.

Shown left, a wheelchair seat cushion

Right: a triangular-shaped cushion for back and side support.

A firm crescent shaped foam cushion (left) counteracts the sag of folding wheelchair seats.

Where pressure relief is key, consider an air-filled cushion which distributes pressure evenly over as wide an area as possible. This technologically advanced air cushion (right) consists of air pockets which can be adjusted to suit the individual user.

There is now a good range of accessories available, including this clever "Front Pack" travel bag, which has been designed to be worn on your front so as not to upset the balance of your wheelchair.

The shoulder straps are fully adjustable and there is an adjustable waist strap should it be required. The bag has two internal sections, the larger rear section has a detachable carry pack, an organiser section and an internal pocket. The easily accessible front section opens with full length zip.

The bag has an expandable base, an external pocket for mobile phones and an elasticated mesh side pocket. There's a reflective strip to the front and a useful carry handle at the top. All zips have easy pullers.

Flat tyres are annoying at any time - if you depend on a wheelchair or scooter for mobility, a flat could be disastrous. You can protect yourself against the great majority of punctures by using a tyre sealant, which coats the inside of the tyre or tube, and acts instantly in the event of a puncture to fill the hole and provide a permanent seal.

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