How Wheelchairs Can Help You

As long as there have been people suffering from disabilities, there have been attempts to place wheels on a chair. The earliest efforts go back to the fourth century BCE in China. However, it wasn't until the late 16th century that a wheelchair recognizable to the modern eye was built. This chair, made for King Phillip II of Spain, had wheels, footrests, and armrests, but had to be pushed by another person.

The modern wheelchair was developed between the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century. Push rims, allowing chair users to move themselves, were invented in 1881. The first motorized wheelchair was invented in 1918, and the first folding wheelchair came about in 1933. By the mid 1970s, light, adjustable chairs made from aluminum were becoming available.

In the past few decades the development of the modern wheelchair has accelerated. Now, chairs are lighter and better performing than ever in the past, including options like suspension, ultra light frames, and many other designs. The most standard modern wheelchair involves a back and seat, with two small wheels in the from and two large ones on the side. These chairs will have either one or two footrests, which may be adjustable.

However, while most wheelchairs are based on this design, there are many types, and they can be customized. Seat height, width, and depth can all be changed, as well as the way the front wheels work, addition of backrests and wheelchair cushions, and controls can even be added to standard designs. People who have special needs often have custom wheelchairs built. Motorized wheelchairs are available for those who are unable to use their arms to propel a chair. These chairs can be built with controls that are used by hand, or, for people with severe mobility issues, by mouth.

As people with disabilities become more mobile and have greater access to the everyday world, wheelchair accessories are becoming popular. These accessories include wheelchair cushions, to make traveling more comfortable, and wheelchair backpacks, to assist in carrying books, electronic devices, purchases, and other items. Usually, these backpacks attach to the wheelchair frame in a location that doesn't impede the action of the wheels. They are particularly popular among electric wheelchair users.

As technology advances, unique chairs, such as "sport" wheelchairs, designed for physical activities, and custom-altered wheelchairs are becoming more common. Chairs can be purchased in different colors, with many accessories, and are even available with "all-terrain" wheels that allow tight turns on difficult surfaces. Between the growing accessibility of many cities and buildings, and improved wheelchair technology, people with disabilities face fewer and fewer obstacles to their mobility.

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