Children value their freedom and it is important for them to be able to move independently. Children who require a wheelchair are not able to walk due to various factors, to mention some factors: vitamin deficiencies, accident, birth deficiency or mental disability. In order to give these children a better life pediatric wheelchairs have been introduced.

Pediatric wheelchairs are more advanced than a standard wheelchair and they are sophisticated enough to help children in various ways who are not able to walk properly. With a pediatric wheelchair you can transport your child in a variety of positions, including sitting, lying down and standing.

With the different postures the wheelchair accommodates for a wide range of children's individual needs, allowing for comfort for the child and allows him/her to move around the whole day on it.

When buying a pediatric wheelchair some of the important considerations are:

• Which mobility controls are most suitable
• The extent to which the child needs independent mobility
• The physical abilities of a child and functional skills
• The ability of a child to control the upper and lower extremities, as well as the head and eye movements
• The ability of a child to use activating switches and joy sticks
• The needs of posture support and seating to keep the child secure and comfortable

The issues of child growth are taken into consideration when constructing the wheelchair to ensure that the wheelchair addresses the needs of the child as he or she grows.

Most pediatric wheelchairs come with adjustable brace supports and frame sections which ensure that the wheelchair can be adjusted in size as the child grows, the majority of pediatric wheelchairs can be used for around ten to twelve years depending on the child's growth.

The child's social life should be taken into consideration when you think about buying a wheelchair. This should ensure the child's temperament, social situations, how he/she handles the frustration of learning to use a wheelchair, etc.

The transport of the wheelchair is also one of the issues which are should be considered. These chairs are quite bulky and heavy when compared to other narrow chairs of the same stand. Considerations have to be thought through, for example:

• Is there a big car to handle this wheelchair?
• Is there any rack that can compensate for additional weight?
• Will there be any additional help required for transporting the wheelchair?

Such issues should be sorted out and the wheelchair should be selected matching the users environment.

Wheelchairs give an extensive amount of freedom and independence to the child. It helps the child to do all the activities at floor, table and higher levels. It is recommended that you take all aspects into consideration before you go out and buy a pediatric wheelchair for your child, good decision making ensures good performance. Thus choosing the right pediatric wheelchair makes a good balance against the versatile models of today's wheelchairs.

The lives of people restricted to wheelchairs can be very complicated. Just picking up an object from the floor or ground while seated in a wheelchair can be quite a feat. But just like everyone else, the wheelchair restricted user wants to lead a normal life. No matter how independent minded a wheelchair user may be, they often find a little help in daily activities necessary. Simple daily chores like preparing a meal, cleaning the house or even bathing can become an ordeal when one has to perform them whilst restricted to a wheelchair.

To the credit of thoughtful engineers and specialists, today's wheelchair users have access to a wide selection of items to help with daily tasks. Nowadays, with the right tools, a wheelchair user can go about his/her daily life with little, if any, help from others.

Anyone seeking information on how to ease the predicament of a wheelchair user should start by looking and researching the internet. The internet is a repository of great tools for finding out what is appropriate for different wheelchair restricted individuals and their respective lifestyles. The wheelchair user can take solace in the fact that the internet offers a wealth of information on making life simpler. Among the websites that cover just about everything under the sun regarding this segment of society is UK Wheelchairs.

When attending to their daily toilet, taking a shower is probably the most difficult routine the physically challenged have to perform. Mercifully, UK Wheelchairs provides links to sites offering practical advice and such accessories as shower chairs.

This site also offers links that the physically challenged, their families and friends may find useful in their quest for an uncomplicated wheelchair user life. For instance, if personal grooming is tricky, the UK Wheelchairs site has on offer a variety of products that make this otherwise simple routine proceed more smoothly when undertaken from a wheelchair.

If you are looking for a comprehensive website for the wheelchair user, then perhaps UK Wheelchairs is the site for you. Daily activities that challenge the wheelchair user are taken up in this site. With UK Wheelchairs, becoming a self-sufficient wheelchair user has never been so easy.

People have often argued about the benefits of electric wheelchairs against manual wheelchairs. In truth, the mere fact that a wheelchair user has the choice between the two types of wheelchairs is something to be thankful for. Because of the wide range of wheelchairs available today, wheelchair users tend to have more difficulty in choosing a wheelchair that is best suited for their individual needs. Many use the internet for information before making decisions especially when it comes to choosing between an electric wheelchair or a manual wheelchair.

Because many tend to think that more modern technology is always better, the benefits of manual wheelchairs are often overlooked when electric wheelchairs come into play. More often than not, lightweight wheelchairs come in manual form. This is among the most important reason why manual wheelchairs are still often favoured by wheelchair users especially when the user will be someone who cannot exert much physical strength. Manual wheelchairs are also easier to maneuver. Because of this, they can be used just about anywhere. No matter what the terrain is like in the users' desired destination, manual wheelchairs can be used.

However, using manual wheelchairs also has its own disadvantages. For one, it can cause a lot of physical strain to its user. Although the upper body exercise may be good for the user, it may also cause some injuries in the long run. Apart from this, manual wheelchairs often require regular maintenance for tires so as to keep the wheelchair and the user's body balanced.

When it comes to choosing between manual wheelchairs or electric wheelchairs, many factors have to be considered. Buyers should not be blinded by the technology that electric wheelchairs offer. Although they may have a great deal of advantages, manual wheelchairs are considered more economical and more efficient especially considering the bulky form electric wheelchairs come in. Furthermore, several insurance companies opt not to cover electric wheelchairs making the task of choosing even simpler.

The choice of a wheelchair should be dependent on the lifestyle and preferences of its user. No matter which wheelchair the user prefers, the fact that they can choose is a good thing. Wheelchairs today have significantly improved from three wheeled chairs of several years ago and a wide array of options are now available. Although this may lengthen the decision process, having a choice also means having the ability to choose the wheelchair that suits your needs.

Wheelchair accessories are not only functional they also allow physically disabled individuals to express themselves through their wheelchairs.

There is a huge array of wheelchair accessories available on the market today. Some of the most popular are:

1. Bags and other Storage Accessories:
   These are strapped onto the mobility device to allow its users to carry more personal items while also keeping organized. Most bags are made of waterproof plastic to keep items from getting when. Each also has their own means to cover the items including zippers, flaps, or Velcro.

   • Backpacks:
     Strapped onto the back of the wheelchair.

   • Saddle Bags:
     Strapped onto the wheelchair armrests.

   • Under Seat Bags:
     The bag is strapped underneath the wheelchair - also know as a seat box due to its form.

   • Packs and Pouches:
     Strapped anywhere on the wheelchair the user pleases (often used for smaller personal items).

2. Beverage Holders:
   These allow users to keep themselves hydrated while operating their mobility devices. They minimize spillage and allow users to move freely without having to worry about holding their own drinks.

   • Cup Holders:
     Often attached to the wheelchairs arm rest for easy access.

   • Hands-free Drinking Aids:
     Especially popular among wheelchair athletes. These feature special straws from which users can sip anytime.

3. Weather Protection:
   These keep the user from overexposure to intense sunlight and harsh weather.

   • Umbrellas and Canopies:
     Installed right above the head of the user for protection against sun and rain.

   • Weather Chaps:
     Keeps users from getting wet by harsh rainfall or helps them keep warm during cold weather.

4. Covering:
   Protects all parts of mobility devices and keeps them free from dirt or keeps them from getting wet.

   • General Covering:
     Covers the whole wheelchair when kept in storage.

   • Armrest and Cushion Covering:
     Covers armrests and seats much like vehicle seat covers.

   • Spoke Guards:
     Keeps rims from being damaged as well as protecting the users hands/fingers from being trapped between spokes while mobile.

5. Other Wheelchair Accessories:

   • Clothing Guards:
     Keeps the wheelchair users clothes from getting caught between the wheels. The guards also protect against mud/dirt from the wheelchair tyres.

   • Wheelchair Trays:
     There are 3 main types of trays that can be attached to the wheelchair - fixed, slide and flip. Each type provides the user with a sturdy base for eating and writing.

   • Walking Stick Holder :
     Tubing that carries the users walking stick or cane while not in use.

The accessories listed above come in different styles and designs so it is easy enough for a wheelchair user to keep their individuality while using them. There are many more wheelchair accessories in the market today and wheelchair users are sure to find what they need to modify their wheelchair to their specific needs.

• Choosing the Right Paediatric Wheelchair
  There is a wide variety of paediatric wheelchairs available on the market today. Each wheelchair is made to suit the requirements of its individual user. Choosing the perfect wheelchair, especially for a child, may be difficult as there are many fac…

• The Basics of Electric Wheelchairs
  A mobile device which will facilitate a disabled or sick individual to move about is identified as a wheelchair. This mechanism resembles a chair which is mounted upon an array of wheels and is propelled either by way of electricity or manually…

• Choosing A Wheelchair Carrier
  The selection of a wheelchair carrier to fit on your automobile can be a straightforward decision once you determine what you require and the model and style which would be most advantageous to you…

• Maintaining Wheelchairs
  Because physically disabled individuals are heavily dependent on their wheelchairs, it is necessary to know how to properly maintain the wheelchair. A wheelchair is an expensive piece of equipment…

• Parts of the Wheelchair
  Here we take a look at some of the major parts of any standard wheelchair and customised wheelchairs. Each section will inform you how to make sure you have the right part on your wheelchair and why it is important to have it…

• Interacting With Wheelchair Users
  You would think that by now people in the streets know how to interact with a wheelchair user. And yet everywhere, for some inexplicable reason, the presence of a wheelchair makes non wheelchair users uncomfortable…

• Types of Wheelchair Seat Cushions
  Depending on the type of wheelchair seat cushion they can cost anything between £20 to £200. When choosing your seating requirements there are three main types of wheelchair cushions to consider…

• Purchasing Wheelchair Lift Ramps
  Wheelchair lift ramps can make the life of a wheelchair user a lot easier. The majority of wheelchair lift ramps are made of some form of durable material and can aid anyone using any kind of manual wheelchair or electric wheelchair…

• Exercising in Your Wheelchair
  To prevent muscle atrophy it is important for a wheelchair user to get the body moving. There are special exercises a wheelchair user can carry out from their wheelchair…

• Wall Guards for Wheelchair Users
  The homes of physically disabled individuals have to accommodate for the wheelchair user. Each area should be accessible for the wheelchair user and the wheelchair should be able to be used around the home without any problems…

Generally the first wheelchair any wheelchair bound individual acquires is from one of the following:

• Persons known to them and who own used wheelchairs
• Wheelchair rental companies that contract with the users insurance providers
• Medical supply stores that fulfill wheelchair prescriptions from the users doctor
• Wheelchair clinics with advice from expert occupational therapists, physical therapists or mobility consultants.

As individuals requiring mobility devices have differing medical conditions, it is a wise move for wheelchair users to consult their physicians and occupational or physical therapists before choosing their wheelchair.

Selecting a wheelchair that fits the users requirements need not be difficult. The following is a list of factors and considerations when buying a wheelchair.

All wheelchair purchases should primarily take into consideration the user's physical state. Basically consider the following:

• Gender
• Body type
• Specific physiological conditions (level of endurance, physical limitations etc.).

Other factors to consider when purchasing wheelchairs and accessories are:

• Place of use - indoor or outdoor
• Users daily activities - shopping, visiting friends or relatives, etc.
• Users mode of transportation - car, van, public transport
• Length of time the user will spend in the wheelchair
• Need of a wheelchair lift or ramp at home
• Availability of a person to assist the user with his/her wheelchair
• Where the wheelchair will be used - gravel, pavement, carpet, sand, etc.

Individual features need to be considered:

• Wheelchair Speed - if desired, an electric wheelchair rather than a manual wheelchair
• Wheelchair Colour - the users personal choice
• Joystick mounting - right or left-hand, fixed or swing-away
• Wheelchair Batteries - gel or wet
• Wheelchair Tyres - to match the conditions where the wheelchair will be used
• Wheelchair Armrests - height adjustable, removable, etc.
• Wheelchair Leg rests - swing away, elevating etc.
• Wheelchair Seat - elevating, tilt, or recline
• Wheelchair Seat cushion - gel, air or foam
• Wheelchair Accessories - drink caddies, bags, trays, etc.

A major factor that also has to be reviewed is wheelchair servicing and spare parts. If you have a problem with your wheelchair, you can get it fixed quickly and easily by purchasing from a recommended wheelchair dealer or wheelchair manufacturer.

Generally a brand name wheelchair will have client support and the wheelchair itself will always have a manufacturers guarantee.

When buying a wheelchair it is important to take all aspects into consideration as they are not cheap and the user has to spend a lot of time in it.

Many people may find their movement restricted sometime in their lives. As our bodies weaken with age, we experience increasing loss of strength in our limbs and begin walking less and less efficiently as we did in youth. The young, on the other hand, could lose the power in their limbs through infirmity or accidents. Old or young, the mobility impaired stands to benefit from a mobility scooter or electric wheelchair. Both are designed to help those with limited use of their lower limbs to regain a independence they had lost.

Most people take for granted the ability with which they perform common daily tasks. When this ability is lost, a person is likely to lose confidence as well. The loss of such ability may result in psychological problems which in turn, may further complicate the person's physical state. Thus, restoring a person's mobility becomes essential, if not paramount.

For the physically challenged; the prospect of undertaking simple activities like shopping, running errands and visiting friends or relatives can be daunting without any aid. Clearly, a device which allows them to accomplish these has to be provided. In temperate climates, this may not seem as big a drawback as does in places where it can get extremely hot or dry. However, going outside for a bit of fresh air or to socialize is good even if only to lift one's spirit.

Mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs not only enable physically challenged people to make short trips by themselves, they also help resume many of their routines independently of others. Increased independence in the physically challenged eases the anxiety and pressure on their friends or loved ones. This independence ultimately restores the dignity of users of mobility scooters.

With regard to aging individuals with increasing loss of limb functionality, mobility scooters allow them to keep their independence longer. Although electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters serve the same purpose, scooters are more widely used. Electric Wheelchairs compared to mobility scooters are bulky devices which are more difficult to store in addition, the size of the wheelchair may limit access to certain areas.

Many people favor the look of scooters over the boxed-in look of wheelchairs. Beyond mere looks, the scooter's streamlined design makes its user feel less restricted or confined. Last but not least, there is a wide variety of mobility scooters to suit the specific needs and preferences of different users.

For quite a while now, shower chairs have existed to aid the elderly and those who have physical disabilities. Since they were introduced, they have continued to help people gain their independence by requiring little or no assistance when taking showers. Whether people have mobility needs due to physical disabilities, lack of balance, or debilitating diseases, shower chairs have become an appealing option. In today's society the trend to have large or oversized bathrooms has allowed further development of shower chairs.

Some of the most favoured shower chairs are made of strong plastic as these are most economical. This type of shower chair is lightweight, durable, and strong. Many plastic shower seats are foldable and easy to store. Making sure that the shower chairs are installed or placed securely can assure you of both safety and convenience. There are shower chairs that are more like stools while others feature including support for the back. Although shower chairs with backrests often take up more space they are preferred by those who have back problems.

When choosing a shower chair you need to evaluate your needs to decide on which type would suit you best. Rubberized contacts or other non-slip material should be used on the bottom of the chair's legs to ensure your safety. However, there are other things to consider, for instance, you may want a shower chair with padding if you don't feel too comfortable sitting on hard surfaces for the length of time it takes for you to shower. These padded shower chairs use a vinyl cover due to its water-resistant property.

Some shower chairs feature wheels to accommodate those with mobility problems. For added safety, some shower chairs have features that lock the wheels to make it stationary while in the shower whereas others can be converted into stools when the wheels are not needed. This allows you to roll into the shower and sit comfortably while you bathe.

Shower chairs may range in price depending on the make and model you wish to purchase. While some can cost around £25, others can cost as much as a few hundred pounds. Furthermore, there are water-resistant wheelchairs that can be used both in and out of the shower allowing you to purchase one mobility product for use wherever you may want to go.

Because of the existence of shower chairs, disabled people require little or no assistance when showering. The usage of these products has also allowed the elderly to avoid nursing homes which not only allows them to stay in their own home but keep their independence and save much money as well.

Although the idea of shower chairs may sound trivial, these continue to change the lives of people who have come to be more independent individuals. They can now feel more dignified as they gain the ability to bathe themselves. Furthermore, it has allowed them more privacy and more time by themselves.

Physically disabled individuals who were born with their condition may have already become used to some degree of social discrimination. However, employers and the physically able public have become more progressive in thinking and their attitude towards the physically disabled.

This has led to better accommodation and considerations allowing wheelchair users to be more mobile and become more independent. Although these changes have taken place, it can still become quite hard for the disabled to move around in many public areas. For this reason, assistive devices including electric wheelchairs have become necessities.

Although the difficulties of physically disabled individuals have been acknowledged, it is difficult to understand the financial damage it can cause unless it is personaly experienced by the person him/herself or his/her family. With necessities that include mobility scooters, electric wheelchairs, wheelchair ramps, special furniture, walking aids, specific personal care goods, having a physical disability can easily cost anyone a fortune. None of these are considered luxury goods and they are all costs physically disabled individuals incur.

Although financial assistance may be available, the assistance often cannot cover the total cost of goods physically disabled individuals require. Because many do not have personal finances to cover all expenses, many have had to decide on having one necessity over another. Families have also had to make certain sacrifices to make the budget fit. This may not be easy especially if the physically disabled in the family quickly grow out of their assistive devices or if they like to enhance their lives through sports that can cause rapid wear and tear to their equipment and quickly need replacements.

There are assistive devices that allow life to become easier. Because of the costs involved, many have no choice but to make do with what they have. In the case of temporarily disabled individuals, many feel as if they are better off suffering than taking such a huge financial hit for assistive devices that they are not sure they will be using for very long. Of course this is not an ideal situation. When it comes to the mobility needs of individuals, all should have enough money to make their lives easier to live.

Because of the high costs involved, many physically disabled individuals have learned to purchase items in bulk. For all obvious reasons, this involves lower costs than if they would purchase in retail. Since they are able to save a considerable amount of money, they are able to afford more and better assistive devices. Others have even chosen to purchase seconhand mobility devives especially when their need involves something very pricey. This can be a good decision but in most cases the devices are not built or designed for the individuals needs and specifications.

Those that have even had to deal with extensive financial strain are families who have disabled children. The reason for incurring more costs is that the children quickly grow out of their assistive devices and they therefore cannot have long term use of what they currently have. Even those who are temporarily disabled find themselves without any use of high-priced items they bought for recovery simply because their needs were only temporary.

Assistive devices are often suited to their users and their environment, many who have the need to change residences find that their devices no longer fit in their new home. This has led to a wide selection of quality secondhand products that many others may still have use for. Secondhand mobility products can be purchased at much lower prices and the benefit they will get will be the same as if they purchased brand new goods.

When looking to purchase secondhand mobility products, ask questions about its previous owners to better evaluate the condition of the product and to evaluate if the previous owner had a similiar ailment as yourself. Such questions should involve how it was previously used, whether warranties still apply, what services have been made, and what parts have been replaced.

When buying assistive devices, whether new or secondhand, it is always better to avoid rushing into a purchase so as to better evaluate the product and others that are available in the market. Taking time when purchasing a secondhand mobility product can pay off as you can research the items and you may well find exactly the product that suits all of your requirements at a cheaper price.

Although being physically disabled can be costly, many options have allowed individuals to lessen the financial strains. Local foundations, government grants, and insurance covers also help in a significant manner.

Wheelchair batteries don't work the same as car batteries. While car batteries are needed to start the vehicle's engine and to run the electric components, wheelchair batteries work for as long as the wheelchair is in use or as long as the battery has enough power. Wheelchair batteries have to be recharged at least once a day, depending on the wheelchair usage.

Wheelchair batteries are commonly known as deep cycle batteries. Unlike common rechargeable batteries, deep cycle batteries will not be damaged when they are completely discharged. However, it is still advisable to keep them charged at all times.

The good thing about wheelchair batteries is that they are convenient for the wheelchair user as they can be plugged in for charging during the night when the wheelchair user doesnt need the wheelchair. Charging the batteries overnight isnt unsafe as the batteries cannot be overcharged.

Depending on how often the wheelchair(s) is used, wheelchair batteries can last a very long time as long as correct precautions and re-charging times are carried out correctly. There are also tell-tale signs the wheelchair user can look out for to determine whether or not the batteries are weakening so they will know when a replacement is due.

Wheelchair batteries or power packs are often sold in pairs and can range in price anywhere from £80 to £200. The price depends on what type of battery is needed and what type of wheelchair it will be used on, generaly the larger the battery capacity the more expensive it is.

There are two main types of wheelchair batteries:

1. Wet batteries:
   Wet wheelchair batteries get their name as they need distilled water in order to function. The water must be checked in regular intervals, this may be a difficult task if the wheelchair user does not have assistance.

2. Gel batteries:
   Gel wheelchair batteries do not use water. Gel batteries are also preferred by those who travel with their wheelchair especially in airports as airport security does not allow wet batteries to be in place while on the plane.

Compared to wet batteries, gel batteries are known to have 10% - 20% less power making them less appealing for those who travel great distances using their wheelchairs.