Types of Wheelchairs
Specialty Wheelchairs

Because of the diverse needs of wheelchair users, wheelchairs have been designed to accommodate many lifestyles and user needs.
- For people who have difficulty walking but can use their legs, there are hemi chairs, which are lower to the floor than standard chairs, allowing the person to propel the chair using leg strength.
- For people who have paralysis or upper extremity amputation on one side, there are chairs with specially modified wheel/axle drives to allow it to be propelled with one hand.
- For obese people, there are oversized chairs and chairs with a high weight capacity.
- For people who enjoy outdoor activities, rugged, specially equipped chairs are available.
- For people who want to participate in marathons and other racing events, aerodynamic three-wheeled racing chairs are available.




A basic standard manual wheelchair incorporates a seat and back, two small front (caster) wheels and two large wheels, one on each side, and a foot rest.