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.

Last Sunday was the London Marathon, renowned the world over, but what is not as well publicised is the wheelchair marathon.  The London Marathon runs a separate race and results for wheelchair users as well as runners.

Wheelchair entrants to the London Marathon must have completed a marathon before and expect to complete the race in less than three hours.  
continue reading

Wheelchairs

Today there are so many wheelchairs available, that it has become difficult to keep up with the latest developments. Our website has an exhaustive catalogue of wheelchairs, from self propelled wheelchairs, to folding wheelchairs that are easy to store. We are confident that there is something for everyone looking for a wheelchair. For more info visit us at www.nmsdirect.co.uk