For thousands of years now, wheelchairs have existed and have continued to aid physically disabled individuals in moving around. Because of wheelchairs, the wheelchair user no longer finds it so difficult to be independat and mobile. Wheelchair customisation is a trend that has only developed in recent years.

In todays society the wheelchair user has the option to improve the wheelchairs performance and personalise the style and specifications of their wheelchair to suit their individual tastes and mobility requirements. More often than not, wheelchair users are driven to customising their wheelchairs to address their special needs, enhance its performance, or to express certain styles according to their preferences.

Customised wheelchairs are considered premium products that provide users not only comfort but convenience as well. Customising their wheelchairs often involves simple modifications to address their needs.

For instance, because of customised wheelchairs, a triple-amputee who has given birth can truly enjoy and take care of her newborn. Simple adjustments and minor enhancements to the standard wheelchair can make this possible.

For users who have had an arm amputated, dual hand-rimmed wheelchairs allow for mobility allowing its users to have full control of both wheels while using only one arm. This improvement has definitely changed the world of amputees who, in the past, could not propel themselves whilst in their wheelchair.

Today, they require little or no assistance at all to move around. Wheelchair frames can also be customised to perfectly fit the wheelchair users body form. This way, it is easier for its user to manoeuvre their own wheelchairs. This also provides maximum comfort to the users as it is a perfect fit - similar to a tailored made suit.

Further customisation to wheelchairs can be made vis the wheels. Depending on where the wheelchair user uses his/her wheelchair the wheelchair wheels can be modified to travel in all types of terrain including uneven surfaces if they lead an active outdoor lifestyle.

By customising the wheels according to the needs of the user, stability, safety, and performance can be assured. This proves to be one of the significant improvements that was brought about by wheelchair customisation. In the past, users only had standard wheelchairs which could not be used on rough or irregular terrain.

What wheelchair technology has done is not only aid the physically disabled but, more importantly, it has significantly improved their lives. Because of continuous innovation and further improvements on how to customise wheelchairs, all the needs of physical disabled are being addressed.

This, along with the considerations that most societies already have in place, wheelchair users can now enjoy almost everything that able bodied individuals do. Through customised wheelchairs, the wheelchair user has become less dependent on others for assistance.

When the manual wheelchair was first invented and then developed for the general public, there was not a lot of choice in the style and type of wheelchair you could purchase. They were pretty much all the same, heavy and had dark colours.

Today you have a great many options when choosing a manual wheelchair. There are wheelchairs that are designed for specific needs or for recreational activities. There have been some improvements in the variety of materials as well. Aluminium, titanium and chrome have replaced stainless steel as the only material available. The materials used to build the wheelchair have become lighter and therefore so have the finished wheelchairs.

While lightweight wheelchairs were originally designed for sports activities it soon became apparent that the materials worked for everyday standard wheelchairs. They are stylishly sporty and offer independence not seen in the heavier manual wheelchairs. Light weight wheelchairs have became very popular among wheelchair users.

Lightweight manual wheelchairs are designed for those with the upper body strength and mobility to move them. Users that are overweight should not use a lightweight wheelchair because the lightweight design is not equipped to handle the weight. The Esteem Ultra wheelchair is one of the most popular and highest quality lightweight wheelchairs on the market.

The standard wheelchair has a cross-brace frame; swing out footrests, removable or permanent armrests and either a mid level or high level back. There are those users who find this type of wheelchair suits them best.

A child's wheelchair must be designed for the growth of the child. It must also be designed to help children overcome the difficulties associated with being in a wheelchair. To aid in the social problems a wheelchair bound child might have they come in a variety of colours and styles.

There are also specialty wheelchairs that will suit the needs of a large variety of users. Different lifestyles require a different type of wheelchair. There are hemi wheelchairs that are powered by the strength of the legs. A larger person will be able to find a larger chair to accommodate their size.

Some wheelchairs are powered by the strength of one hand. Outdoor enthusiasts will find more durable and strong wheelchairs to fit into their outdoor lifestyle. Racing wheelchairs are more aerodynamic and even wheelchairs that help the individual to stand up.

In hospitals and nursing homes they use a different sort of wheelchair. These particular wheelchairs are designed specifically for moving patients in the institution and are not made for use by an individual.

Yes the wheelchair has certainly evolved over time. For many people they are the key to their independent lifestyle.

Those who have physical disabilities find themselves in dire need of their own wheelchairs. However, wheelchairs can be very expensive and there are times when the person in need cannot afford to pay for one. To address the needs of these people, there are local organisations that can help.

If you do not have the financial capability to buy your own wheelchair, you should try making use of the services that the National Health Service provides. The NHS has a special Wheelchair Service that allows people to obtain funding for their wheelchairs.

The NHS Wheelchair Service is part of the national healths projects that takes responsibility for distributing funds to several wheelchair service providers and other health care organisations. These organisations then make use of the allocated funding to provide the physically disabled public with their own wheelchairs.

The process depends mostly on which local authority is involved. However, the standard process involves determining whether applicants are eligible to receive the funding requested. It also involves finding out what kind of wheelchair is required. The length of the process also varies on the local authority.

Usually, the first step is to find someone who can refer you to the NHS Wheelchair Service provider located in your area. Referrals can be carried out by your physician, health consultant or therapist.

After filing an application, your needs will be assessed. This may take as long as 3 to 6 months. This is often held in the local centre you have been referred to. Should you have any trouble going there, make sure to let the centre know. Throughout the assessment process, qualified professionals will be working with you and other health authorities.

Should you be eligible for a wheelchair, a local authority representative will discuss timescales and funding options with you. You must remember that there are certain criterion you must pass in order to be eligible to receive wheelchair funding. Depending on your needs and physical disability, you may be able to receive funding that will cover the entire cost of the wheelchair or at least part payment of a wheelchair.

Once the assessment has been cleared, the centre will place an order for your wheelchair. Depending on the type of wheelchair and the wheelchairs availability in local suppliers, you may have to wait a few weeks. When the wheelchair is ready, you will be able to pick it up and the local authority can if required arrange training on how to use the new wheelchair. Lastly, you will be taught how to maintain your wheelchair and how to repair certain parts should you experience any problems.

Although this may be an appealing option, you should be aware that it does take a long time before the entire process is over. Sometimes, people wait it out only to find out that they are not eligible for wheelchair funding. For this reason, should you be capable of buying your own wheelchair, even if you think you would be eligible, it might be better to just finance it yourself. Waiting many months without a wheelchair to keep you mobile is far from an ideal situation.

Wheelchair tyres should be given a lot of consideration because they have significant implications on the wheelchairs performance. Furthermore, they affect the manoeuvrability of the wheelchair and the wheelchair users comfort.

Generally, two types of wheelchair tyres should be considered and these types will be used on all models of wheelchairs, be it Transit, self Propelled or Transfer. The first type and previously most popular type are pneumatic tyres. Pneumatic wheelchair tyres are known to help with the wheelchair users comfort because the air inside allows the tyres to absorb more impact. However, these tyres are also known to puncture easily so maintenance costs are usually higher. Furthermore, pneumatic wheelchair tyres have to be replaced on a regular basis.

Another type of wheelchair tyres to consider are solid tyres sometimes referred to as PU Tyres, which are usually made of rubber. But sometimes, these are made of plastic as well. Because they are made of some form of solid material, they cannot puncture, nor can they deflate. Solid tyres are categorised into three types: entirely solid, the semi-pneumatic, and foam tyres.

Entirely solid tyres are generally made of rubber or plastic. Although these weigh the most, they are preferred because of their durability. On the other hand, there are semi-pneumatic tyres that are essentially made of rubber tubing. Having air inside the tubing will allow better shock absorption. Lastly, there are foam tyres that are quite similar to the semi-pneumatic ones but have polyurethane to substitute for air.

The appropriate wheelchair tyre depends on the needs of the wheelchair user and which features the user gives highest priority to. Should the ride be smooth and is the most important factor for the user then pneumatic tyres are recommended.

Some wheelchair models have the choice of which type of tyre however more manufactures are opting for PU Tyres which have the characteristics of a Pneumatic Tyre but the benefit of never going flat.

More often than not, physically disabled individuals who use wheelchairs find it hard to keep track of their weight because they are unable to stand upright independently on standard weighing scales. Fortunately, weighing scales for wheelchair users have now been developed.

Wheelchair scales have ramps to allow the user to simply wheel him/herself onto the scale. Once the user and his/her wheelchair are in place, the scale should be able to give an accurate reading.

The wheelchair without the user should be weighed separately. Subtracting the resulting figure to the earlier reading of both the wheelchair and the user will result in the accurate weight of the wheelchair user.

Individuals often do not choose to purchase their own wheelchair scales because they can be quite expensive and they also take up a lot of space. For this reason, most clinics and hospitals make sure that they are available for the benefit of wheelchair users. Being weighed in medical centres is also ideal because assistance can be provided.

In many medical centres, wheelchair scales can be seen in a variety of types including digital, beam, portable or stationary. Because stationary scales are thought to be more sturdy and durable, they are most often used by medical centres.

Most wheelchair scales have rubber surfaces to ensure that the wheelchair users will not fall off or will not move around while they are being weighed. Sometimes, they also have additional features for better measurements of the user's health.

Standard wheelchair scales can often carry very heavy loads, however individual scales need to be checked for the maximum load capacity. Should you be among those considering purchasing wheelchair scales for personal use, make sure that the scales you want to buy can hold both you and your wheelchair at the same time.

You may also want to ensure that it can carry heavier loads in case you gain weight or you decide at a later stage to purchase a heavier wheelchair.

• Extreme Wheelchair Mountain Biking
  Rough Riderz Downhill Club is devoted to both disabled and able-bodied off-road mountain bike riders who'd like to participate in (or get more information on) the UK's newest MTB scene.

• London Wheelchair Rugby Club
  LWRC is one of 8 Wheelchair Rugby Clubs based in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland playing in the Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Coloplast National League.

• Welsh Wheelchair Rugby
  The WWRA exists to promote and develop the sport of Wheelchair Rugby throughout the Principality of Wales.

• Cerebral Palsy Sport
  CP Sport is a registered charity working incredibly hard to raise the vital Donate Online to CP Sport funds needed to continue improving the lives of hundreds of people with physical disabilities through sport.

• Wheelchair Tennis
  Still one of the fastesr growing wheelchair sports in the world, wheelchair tennis integrates very easily with the able-bodied game since it can be played on any regular tennis court.

• International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
  The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement. The IPC organizes the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games, and serves as the International Federation for nine sports, for which it supervises and co-ordinates the World Championships and other competitions.

• WheelPower - British Wheelchair Sport
  WheelPower provides accessible facilities at the Stoke Mandeville Stadium, the "home of Wheelchair Sport" including an Athletics Arena, Sports Hall, Indoor Bowls Centre, Swimming Pool and Fitness Centre. On site accommodation in the Olympic Lodge and the Olympic Village is suitable for a wide range of disabilities and is complemented by meeting and conference facilities and catering for events of all sizes.

• Disability Sport Events
  DSE creates opportunities for participation in sport for people with all impairments. We are the number one events agency, providing events in various sports.

• English Federation of Disability Sport
  EFDS is the national body responsible for developing sport for disabled people in England. EFDS work closely with five National Disability Sports Organisations (NDSOs) recognised by Sport England to develop sporting opportunities for the 11 million disabled people in England.

• British Blind Sport
  British Blind Sport (BBS) is a national registered charity based in Leamington Spa. Since its beginnings as a registered charity in 1976, British Blind Sport has become the leading voice for visually impaired people (VI) in the world of sport and leisure, both at home and internationally.

• Wheelchair Football Association
  The WFA are recognised by the FA (Football Association) as the sports governing body and have their full backing. The WFA are currently in negotiations with a number of other Disability Sports Organisations, including the British Wheelchair Sports Association, in order to move the sport forward.

• Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association
  The Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association is the governing body of the sport in the UK. The Association employs a full-time development officer. Information regarding the whereabouts of local clubs can be obtained from this website or the GBWBA Office, who can give help and advice to any individual or group wishing to develop their own clubs/teams.

• Disability Sport Wales
  The Federation of Disability Sport Wales (FDSW) is a pan-disability National Governing Body of Sport Which aims to promote and develop quality sports opportunities for disabled people throughout Wales.

• British Wheelchair Archery Association
  The Association is the reference point for all wheelchair users, for those wishing to try archery , by putting them in touch with local clubs.

• Federation Internationale D'escrime
  The FIE is the organization which governs fencing throughout the world. It is based in the Olympic capital Lausanne and currently counts 127 member federations

• Riding For The Disabled Association
  RDA is a federation of Member Groups, which are dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities, through the provision of opportunities for riding and/or carriage driving.

• Disability Martial Arts Association
  The association is a wide ranging support network for people with all types of disabilities. They have a fundamental belief that people come first and disability is second

• British Wheelchair Racing Association
  The BWRA was formed in 1989 by athletes who wished to promote wheelchair racing for all in Great Britain. At the present moment there are 116 members from all over the British Isles

• British Wheelchair Bowls Association
  The BWBA are there to assist wheelchair users to get the most out of the sport, whether they are just starting out or are experienced bowlers. They help members to become fully integrated into their local clubs and playing in league games, matches and competitions at club and higher levels.

• British Wheelchair Pool Players Association
  The BWPPA was formed to enable wheelchair players to participate in the American disciplines of 9 Ball and 8 Ball pool. BWPPA is the recognised governing body of American pool for Great Britain.

• British Wheelchair Curling Association
  The BWCA was founded in January 2004. The aim of the Association is to develop, organise and plan all aspects of preparation, selection and competition to prepare teams for the Paralympic Games.

Personal mobility equipment needs to be maintained properly. Special care is required for wheelchairs because this is the equipment you rely on the most. Knowing how to properly care for your wheelchair will not only allow you to use it for a long time, more importantly wheelchair maintenance ensures that it will not cause you injuries.

Because wheelchairs can be costly, it is wise for you to give it special care. Should any wheelchair problems arise, you will probably be the first person to notice it. For this reason, it is imperative for you to know what to do or at least who to ask for help when parts need to be fixed or replaced. Manual wheelchairs are easier to maintain and may be cared for using common tools whereas electric wheelchairs need professional attention.

You should have a regular routine for preventive wheelchair maintenance. Use a rag or some form of cloth to clean your wheelchair on a regular basis. Some wheelchair users use car wax to make the task of cleaning the frame easier. Inspecting your wheelchair for possible day to day damage should be part of your routine. For electric wheelchairs, it is important to test the brakes and anti-rollback functions from on a regular basis. Furthermore, it is important to regularly check parts that may need adjustments. For example, all nuts and bolts must be secure at all times so it is recommended that they are tightened at least once a month.

For those with limited upper-body functions, assistance from others to perform these regular maintenance tasks may be important.

Most wheelchairs come with wheelchair guides or manuals, it is important to read through these before performing maintenance tasks. The manual should inform its reader about warranty policies, wheelchair usage and wheelchair maintenance. The guide should also contain instructions on how to properly care for your wheelchair and which tools should be used when maintaining the wheelchair.

Having a set of tools specifically for your wheelchair will prove to be a worthwhile investment as they may lower your maintenance costs in the long run. Essentials include different wrenches, maybe a set of Allen wrenches, a spoke wrench, and an adjustable wrench. Screwdrivers and repair kits may also be practical. Having them in one place may also be essential in case an emergency arises.

Proper care and maintenance will surely make you feel more secure about using your wheelchair. Although inspecting and fixing it yourself may do the trick, it is still important to have an expert examine it from time to time.

Those who are or have been physically disabled will surely understand how important it is for those with mobility needs to have their own wheelchairs. However, many of those who really need wheelchairs often do not have the financial capability to purchase one on their own. For this reason, wheelchair donations have become more and more important.

In todays society organisations around the globe have been exerting much effort to allow individuals with physical disabilities to have access to their own wheelchair. These people have been very grateful as they could not have such privileges if not for the organisations that were willing to lend a hand.

By lending a hand through direct wheelchair donations or providing even a little amount of cash, you can be sure to enhance someone's life somewhere around the world.

There is an estimated figure of 100 million physically disabled individuals around the globe. The causes include :

• Birth defects
• Accidents
• Diseases
• War Injuries
• or old age

Everyday adults and children alike loose limbs because of landmines and other explosive devices left behind from war. A report published by the World Health Organisation stated that over 29,000 individuals are injured by landmines each year. The report also noted that this estimate only comes from reported cases.

No matter how people become disabled, they should not be denied of their right to go where they please and they all should have access to wheelchairs of their own. The greatest need for wheelchairs is in developing countries where this need is also expected to increase by 22% over the coming decade. In these areas where few have the financial capability to buy wheelchairs, many have become bedridden.

Others also use their arms to carry their weight and drag their bodies across the floor. These people have the right to their mobility no matter what their physical conditions may be. Though they cannot enjoy that right on their own, people like you can help them. There are multiple international organisations that accept donations and distribute wheelchairs all across the globe. These foundations pool donations and use it to purchase and deliver wheelchairs in bulk.

There are also other non-profit organisations that provide similar services. In contrast to the services that the Wheelchair Foundations provide, some organisations allow distribution of wheelchairs to individuals. These groups use donations to refurbish used wheelchairs and give each one to those in need.

All these non-profit organisations and many others out there need your help so they can continue to provide aid to those in need. While you may also choose to help the individuals in your immediate environment, donating to such organisations will help those in need in a larger scale.

Folding wheelchairs are perfect for physically disabled individuals. These types of wheelchairs can be folded for easy transportation making it simpler for its users to travel. Among the significant benefits of folding wheelchairs is that they can be transported without having to remove its wheels.

Folding wheelchairs come in many different varieties and some are even designed especially for patients in hospitals or in nursing homes.

Wheelchairs, in general, come in many forms. There are the lightweight, ultra-light, heavy-duty, stroller, and even folding wheelchairs. Today, a wide range of folding wheelchairs are available and many of them are affordable. Although people have the option to customise their own wheelchairs, the standard features include handgrips made of plastic, upholstered seating and backrests, armrests with padding, front caster outriggers, and solid tyres.

People can also choose to have air-supported backrests, integrated seat sling straps, and even caster angles. Seats, backrests, and armrests can even be adjustable according to the height of the user. The axles can also be variable with quick-release functions for better maneuverability. When it comes to the wheelchairs footrests, users can opt for either swing-aways or lift-offs. Side guards can either be made of fabric or solid material.

When it comes to the frame, users can choose from either anodized or polished material that may even come with customised upholstery. Extra-wide seats can even be made-to-order. For stroller-type foldable wheelchairs, head wings that are padded, seat depth with snap buttons, and wedges made of foam can be ordered.

Prices are heavily dependent on the type of folding wheelchair to be purchased. Although they may sometimes be pricey, buyers can get good deals from manufacturers that offer online services, zero shipping costs, and money-back guarantees.