Considerations in Wheelchair Selection

The first considerations in selecting the appropriate wheelchair are the needs of the person using the chair as determined by his or her disabilities and abilities. The person may consult a professional wheelchair prescriber such as a physical or occupational therapist or a physician specializing in orthopedics or rehabilitation medicine, who can offer informed professional advice on what kind of seating system and what special features and adaptations are needed.

The user must also actively participate in the selection process. These individuals are most aware of the environment and circumstances in which the wheelchair will be used. Will it be used primarily indoors or outdoors? Will it be used in the home, at work, for recreation, or in a variety of settings? Will the chair need to be transported? If so, how will it be transported-in a van, a car, or by some form of public transportation? Are there stairs or other barriers to be considered? The answers to these and other questions will help a person to determine which chair best fits their lifestyle.

Finally, personal tastes and values should also be considered. A person using a wheelchair lives with it constantly, and it should therefore be compatible with his or her personality. Style and color may be just as important as how the chair feels to the body.

Source: Source: ABLEDATA Fact Sheet on Manual Wheelchairs