Wheelchair accessories allow wheelchair occupants to customise the wheelchair to suit their particular needs for daily living, leisure and work.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
There are numerous wheelchair accessories that can make the workplace easier to negotiate,
Accessories for activities of daily living and work include:
- a lightweight aluminium lap tray that is positioned above the thighs of the occupant in a seated position
- mounted cup holder designed to hold a cup in a convenient place for the occupant
- hand propelled unit, similar to bicycle handlebars, attached to a manual wheelchair to allow the occupant to steer it easily in shops or public arenas
- an ergonomically designed and detachable wheelchair handle that provides the person pushing the wheelchair with greater control
- bed to wheelchair transfer assist device is a device that can be mounted to a bed frame to assist the occupant raise their torso from the bed to the wheelchair by inserting a handle into the base of the device and push themselves off the bed into the wheelchair
- stair-climbing wheelchair mechanism with high single-step capability which is attached to the front and rear wheels and allows the wheelchair to ascend or descend a high single step in the forward direction.
Accessories for leisure:
- padded wheelchair gloves to protect the wheelchair users hands from dirt and trauma, and improve the traction on the wheel rims
- an overhead opaque screen mounted above a wheelchair to protect the occupant from direct sunshine and rain
- a light-weight water resistant cover custom made to suit a manual or motorised wheelchair to protect it from harsh wind or weather conditions
- wheelchair sand tracks which are a rubber or pine slat track that is manually laid over the sand to allow wheelchair access to the beach
- plastic clamp fixed to the wheelchair to hold an umbrella.
Other accessories:
- fabric bag attached to the armrest of the wheelchair for storing personal items
- under seat pouch which attaches underneath the cross bar of the wheelchair and can be accessed without removing the actual pouch
- sheepskin covers for armrests, backrest or footplates to improve comfort
- various lightweight and non-skid ramps are available that are designed to bridge the gap over steps, curbs and raised landings
- oxygen cylinder holders and IV pole attachments
- effective cushioning and seating to reduce seating pressures by distributing the persons body weight over the surface of the cushion, allowing for adequate blood flow to keep tissues healthy.
More information about wheelchairs and customising them to suit your individual needs can be found at the link below:
References
Cooper, R. 1998, Wheelchair Selection and Configuration, Demos Medical Publishing, Denver.
Department of Health 2007, Accessories for Manual Wheelchairs, Queensland Government, Brisbane, viewed 9 August 2010 , http://www.health.qld.gov.au/qscis/PDF/Equipment/Manual_Wheelchairs_accessories.pdf.
Independent Living Centres Australia Inc. 2010, Wheelchair Accessories, Independent Living Centres Australia Inc., Sydney, viewed 9 August 2010, http://www.ilcaustralia.org/search3.asp?State=ACT&MC=43&MinC=60.
LifeTec Queensland (no date specified), Manual Wheelchair Accessories, LifeTec Queensland, Newmarket, viewed 9 August 2010, http://www.lifetec.org.au/_uploads/factsheets/ManualWheelchairAccessories_elec.pdf.