A manual wheelchair is designed for those who are able to use the rims on the back wheels to push themselves. They are generally made from light materials such as carbon fibre, which is increasingly popular, titanium, aluminium or steel.

There are two types of manual wheelchairs:

Rigid Frame

The advantage of these is that they tend to fit
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Disability aids is not just for the disabled. As we get older, our mobility naturally decreases. Disability aids is the term used for any number of aids to help older people with mobility, not just for getting about but to enable them to do all sort of things they might be struggling with.

The majority of suppliers categorise disability aids into the following area:

Mobility – these include walkers, frames and sticks or wheelchairs
Bathing – ranging from boards, stools and bath lifts to simple aids like tube squeezers
Toileting – items such as raised seats, commodes and frames
Personal care – these would cover personal hygiene items such as PVC covers
Bed & Chair/Comfort – these include cushions and supports and items to raise furniture
Health & Leisure – general items to make life a little easier such as joint support, pain management items, adapted everyday items and more
Household/Dining – these include items such as special tools like jar openers, kettle tippers and kitchen aids to help you do things like cutting without having to use your wrist as much as normal

Many people would be surprised at the vast range of disability aids available.

There are three main methods of propulsion used within the UK:

Rear wheel drive is the most common method and gives the highest speed, although the turning capability is more restricted.  Front wheel drive is not as fast but turning capabiity is much improved.  Mid-wheel drive models are usually the best for turning but not as good when it comes to bumpy ground.

Electric chairs in the UK are powered using rechargeable batteries, of which there are three types.

Wet Batteries – these need to be topped up with water so need maintenance.  They are also more likely to leak.  However, they are also comparably cheap, light and do perform well.

Gel Batteries – these are heavier and more expensive but there is no need to add water so there’s no maintenance to do and they won’t leak.

Absorbent Glass Mat Batteries (AGM) – similarly, these won’t leak and require to maintenance.  They are the most expensive option but they are much more shock resistant than the other two.

There are several advantages and disadvantages of an electric wheelchair when compared to a manual wheelchair.

Disadvantages

They are much heavier than a manual wheelchair because of the moving parts it has to have such as the battery itself, the motor and gears.

The price is much higher and can vary wildly depending upon the functionality required. You can even get electric wheelchairs that will tilt, climb stairs or elevate the user on two wheels.

Since they cannot be folded or dismantled, it is difficult to transport electric wheelchairs, especially in smaller cars. They can also be larger than a manual wheelchair so always take your home or workplace accessibility into account before purchasing and be sure to use a reputable supplier.

Advantages

Electric wheelchairs are perfect for those users who are less able-bodied. The speed, turns and braking are controlled via a joystick although for those unable to operate a joystick there is also head-chin control and even voice activated control.
Additional functionality – if you are able to cover the higher cost then additional functionalities such as the tilting, elevation and climbing stairs mentioned before give the user a much higher quality of life.
They offer more power and therefore speed, allowing the user to travel in comfort.