We read with interest on the BBC web site that the council in Ascot have used wheelchairs to block able bodied spaces in the high street to highlight the abuse of parking without blue badges parking in disabled bays. The idea being that able bodies drives feel that same frustration as blue badge drivers do when they find a disabled parking space abused. Using wheelchairs to block the spaces was one of many ideas considered by Windsor and Maidenhead councils.

Its claimed that as many as 1 in 5 spaces intended for the disabled who are typically wheelchair users are being misused by those who are not entitled. It was quite impressive to see a long stretch of town center road dotted with wheelchairs every few meters. Motorists were clearly bemused by the demonstration as they drove down the high street past the local Tesco store.

See the video of parked wheelchairs here

Lets hope that they successfully raised awareness and that this deters folk from abusing the parking bays. The other aim of the campaign was to try to increase the number of parking spaces for the disabled in this particular area.

Space invaders themed signs on the back of the wheelchairs with a ‘which space are you invading’ slogan stated that ‘one in five Blue Badge spaces are abused’. It comes after a complaint by a local resident that lead to the spaces begin moved to more convenient locations in the town helping wheelchair users to get easier access to the shops.

Organised by the Ascot Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) and the Royal Borough's Access Advisory Forum it seems to have been a success. There are 2.45 million blue badge holders in the country many of whom are wheelchair users or have very limited mobility.

With so much choice on the market and so many different types of wheelchair it is quite difficult to know what to look for when you simply want a wheelchair foe an elderly friend or family member.

Independence is very valuable as we all know and it can be saddening when a family member first requires the use of a wheelchair. All the more reason to make sure the model you buy is suitable and that all the options have been considered.

There are two basic types of wheelchair, being manual and electric and the choice of which of these to go for really depends on the level of mobility the user has. Manual wheelchairs can be self propelled of will need the help of another to be pushed along. These are generally referred to as transit wheelchairs.

Self propelled wheelchairs

Self propelled wheelchairs can of course be pushed by another but also offer more freedom if the user still has strength in the upper body, allowing them to propel themselves. Transit models will require an attendant at all times as the rear wheels are smaller and out  of reach, meaning that the user cannot propel themselves. If the elderly relative lives alone then a transit model may not be suitable for this reason. However, if the user simply needs the wheelchair to get out and about then it may be the best choice for them as they are lightweight and are easily transported.

Electric wheelchairs

Electric wheelchairs are operated by the user although some models have options for attendant control also. Electric models come in many guises and can be intended for solely indoor use, outdoor use of sometimes both. Budget is likely to dictate some purchases as electric wheelchairs or powerchairs as they are referred to can become quite expensive. For this reason the users living space and their lifestyle should be considered before making the choice.

Comfort is key when selecting a model and is more important is the user is likely to spend long periods of time in the wheelchair. Look for as much adjustment as possible as it is this that will allow the maximum comfort. Please refer to our previous article on wheelchair posture to give you an idea of how the user should be seated. Of course cushions and other wheelchair accessories can be used to improve comfort levels and support. But size and particularly seat width are important considerations. A snug fit is preferable to a lose fit as this will provide more support to the back where it is needed and reduce the amount of slumping in the chair.

Here at UK-Wheelchairs we are always happy to listen to your requirements and then to offer advice on which model is best suited to the needs of the wheelchair user in your family, so please feel free to call us on 0800 0556377 or 01803 872020 from a mobile.

Shortly before their departure to the games in Rio Jordanne Whiley and Dylan Alcott claimed their second British Open single titles apiece on the penultimate day of this year’s fifth Super Series event on the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour, with Whiley retaining the women’s singles crown and Alcott regaining the quad singles title at Nottingham Tennis Centre, with the smile on Jo's face in the photo saying it all. Her perfromance in the recently modified wheelchair was absolutely brilliant, demonstrating true athletism through out the game

Ranked World Number four, Whiley raced into a 3-0 lead in the women’s singles final before the Dutch woman van Koot won three of the next four games to trail by just one game. However, Jordanne put together an impressive sequence of 8 games to wrap up a 63 60 victory and her second Super Series singles title a year on from landing her first in Nottingham.

“It was tougher than the score line suggests. Three and love sounds like a beating but it was tough today,” said Whiley. “Aniek is a tough opponent because she has that big forehand and a solid backhand. Today I felt like I played really well, I used the court well and didn’t get over excited and start hitting big, I just placed the ball well and hit my spots.

“I came here to make a mark and say to everyone that I’m a competitor for gold in Rio and I think I’ve done that by beating everyone and winning the title.”

Dylan Alcott also performed outstandingly with 5 out of 5 in Super Series singles finals this season, the last four of those victories coming against world No. 2 Wagner. The Australian world No. 1 made a good start to their latest encounter and went on to record a 62 62 victory to claim his latest Super Series crown just two years on from winning his first in Nottingham.

“Two years ago was my first big title, so that was a big milestone. Today was awesome, I played really well and it’s a good lead into Rio,” said Alcott. “I’ve had some really tough matches the last few weeks against a lot of the top guys. I had a massive scare in the semis against Lucas, so I was happy to get the win there and then played really well today.”

With only a week to go before the games start in Rio i hope they are hanging on to some of their energy reserves for what must be the biggest games of their lives in wheelchair tennis.

This is a brief guide written to help with the selection of the right walking aid to help you maintain personal mobility. Please be aware that everyone's requirements differ and that you should base your decision on the user's particular needs and preferences and if needs be, or if you are in any doubt, you should seek advice from medical and care professionals.

What is a rollator ?

A rollator is a portable device that provides support for someone who can stand and walk independently but might be be a little unsteady on their own or who tires easily when walking unaided. This includes individuals with stiff and or weak joints, arthritis or any other condition that restricts movement. Rollators also come with a built in seat allowing the user to sit or take rest. Please check the maximum weight specification if it is to be used by a larger user to ensure the frame is strong enough to provide the support when seated.

Lightweight rollators frames are generally made from aluminium which is lighter than the alternative steel frames but not as strong. As the user has to push the rollator, a lightweight model is often preferred.

Rollators come in various designs and sizes and some are better suited for indoor use only whereas other models can be used inside or outdoors. Look at the wheel size to determine how well it will work outside where the ground can be uneven. A bigger wheel will cope with outdoor surfaces and will make turning and pushing the rollator easier.

One key consideration is size. Most rollators have height adjustable handles that cater for most users within the typical height range of 5' to 6'. Some brands including Topro rollators produce their models in a range of sizes to ensure you get the best fit possible. The key here is to allow the user to walk as upright as possible to avoid stooping and the back ache that can result.

The rollator frame width is also a factor in ensuring a stable and comfortable walking position and a seat that is adequate and comfortable. You want a frame that provides good all-round support that does not restrict movement. However, avoid a frame that is too wide as it will be uncomfortable for the user if their hands are too far apart.

Rollator handles are an important consideration as they need to be comfortable and ideally ergonomically shaped made from easy grip material so the user feels comfortable and doesn't have to grip tight to feel secure even if the user has cold, stiff or wet hands.

On board storage is all important whether the rollator is to be used inside out outside. Generally when used inside folk like to be able to move their essentials with them, like a newspaper, book or a phone. If they are to be used outside by users with greater mobility, then a storage area that will hold small shopping items are important. This type of storage is typically an under seat bag or a tray.

Finally, most rollators fold so that they can be stowed for storage and transportation. You might want to look at the folded width if the space you have available is limited.

Rollators are fitted with brakes that are operated by the hands from the handles which allow slowing and stopping to provide as much support as possible. Brakes are often the loop handle type that are easiest to use and require only a slight pressure to operate. This type of brake are favoured by folk with limited strength or arthritis in the hands.

If you feel that you still want advice then please feel free to call us so that we can advise on the most suitable rollator for your needs.

We sell a wide range of wheelchairs for everyday use including transit models, self propelled wheelchairs models reclining wheelchairs and lots more to ensure there is a model to suit everyone depending on their disability and particular requirements. Sports wheelchairs are however a different ball game and are generally bespoke or custom made to fit the particular athlete and their sport.

So with the Paralympics in Rio just around the corner we thought we would take a quick look at these and see exactly what is on offer for those involved in the various sporting disciplines.

Racing wheelchairs are generally three wheeled models that are build for one thing and that is speed. Designed to literally fit the user these long wheelbase models are built using lightweight materials to give the athlete the best possible power to weight ration.

In wheelchair rugby the key feature is of course strength as they need to withstand knocks and blows when they collide with their team players and opponents.

Other key features that vary from sport to sport are the wheelchair rims, this is primarily because the muscles used in the different sports vary so the push rims do also. In racing the muscles used are all about pushing the wheelchair forward whereas in wheelchair basketball for example there is more focus on explosive power due to the frequent and rapid changes in direction in the game. This requires very strong back muscles and the ability to pull the rims to give the directional change.

In a basketball chair, athletes sit higher than on a racing chair, thus are using a bigger push rim that can range from 60-68cm in diameter, compared to 35-39cm.

The other significant difference on sporting wheelchairs for each discipline is the seating arrangement. Athletes who ave the least function in their lower body have more a bucket seat that gives greater stability and typically have higher backrests. This often depends on the point system used for grading athletes which is based on their lower body function.  These chairs used in basketball will often have 5 or 6 wheels to give greater stability and reduce their risk of tipping.

Wheels will also vary and particularly the camber they are set up. Increased camber of up to 20 degrees gives the wheelchair greater ability to turn faster and are frequently used in both basket ball and tennis. In these sports the wheelbase is often wider again for the same reason.

Racing chairs on the other hand have 10-15 degrees of camber, mostly for lateral stability, especially around turns. Athletes with greater body function will have reduced camber as they are more able to lean their body to affect the turn.

Finally in the more contact prone sports the wheelchairs will often be fitted with bumpers of sorts to lessen the impact on the wheelchair frame when a collision occurs. Side panels or wings are also used for this reason and also to give the athlete better protection from injury.

For more information of the wheelchairs available and what is used in which sports please visit the Paralympic web site

In May of this year access to the beach in Thorpe Esplanade, Thorpe Bay was improved due to the help of a £9,400 grant from the Gannet Foundation. The Beach Wheelchair Pathway was officially opened by Southend mayor Judy McMahon and representatives from the Tram Stop Shelter charity.

Today a charity is pleading for some action to address the damage that is repeatedly being caused by vehicles and vandals. Many times since it was opened cars have used the pathway designed for use by wheelchairs to try to access the nearby beach. The cars generally get stuck at the bottom of the ram in the sand.

The ramp is made using some special mats that give a wheelchair friendly route to the beach. However vandals have more than once ripped up the mats and on one occasion set fire to them rendering them useless. All incidents have been reported to the local police but still the ramp is inaccessible to wheelchair users.

Discussing the ‘traumatic’ incident on Sunday afternoon, Mr Craven, 69, of Marcus Chase, Thorpe Bay, said: “A car had driven down the ramp beside the beach pathway and was stuck in the sand. “I got there just in time to stop three guys lifting up parts of the pathway to place under the car tyres to assist in getting it off the sand.

“They then went to other parts of the pathway to use mats that had been previously damaged. I stopped them again.

“A young woman shouted abuse at me.

“I told her that the charity I headed was the owners of the pathway and that they would be causing damage to our property.

“Two hours later the car was, eventually, removed by a friendly four by four driver from the large crowd that had gathered.”

There is now a campaign to have a gate placed at the top of the ramp to stop any further damage and to discourage more car drivers from causing problems. The problem here is that the gate would then needed to be unlocked by the wheelchair users to gain access.

“From witnesses this is a regular occurrence.

“What was really worrying is that at the time the car was spinning its wheels there was an elderly person in a wheelchair on the beach pathway who was sprayed with sand!

“A lockable barrier will protect our visitors and our property.”

A council spokesman, said: “We are happy to consider any requests for a barrier, gate or something similar.”

If you rely on your powerchair for everyday mobility it is of course essential that it provides you with utmost reliability. The best way to achieve this is by having a maintenance schedule that makes sure that all aspects of the chair are kept in premium condition.

This doesn’t have to be a daunting prospect nor does it need to take a great deal of time but as your electric wheelchair is your lifeline to independence it is time well spent.

Most electric wheelchair manufacturers provide adequate instruction on what to carry out and when but not all owners hang on to this information so we felt it was a good idea to present a brief guide here.

Daily checks are essential for peace of mind and trouble free operation. This is as simple as looking over the powerchair for any obvious damage, particularly to wheels and or tyres. With your hand check that all visible nuts or bolts are tight. Keep your eye out for any loose electrical wiring that may have become detached near the lights, the joystick or around the battery area. While you do this check also make sure that none of the wiring is in danger of trapping near the moving parts such as the wheels. While doing this also keep your eyes open for any stripped wire where the sleeve has been worn. If you find this you will need to contact an electric wheelchair specialist for a repair.

Battery charging is a very important function to ensure reliable operation. Regular charging is key to this and the modern day batteries do not suffer if they are charged at a mid charge point. There is no need to drain them before charging and in some cases to drain the wheelchair battery entirely can cause damage to the cell. We always advise that the best way to charge is to do it every night while you sleep then you can have confidence the next day when out and about.

Tyres should be part of the daily inspection but every week or so it is worth spending a bit of time to do a more thorough inspection. The things to look for are tread wear, cracks and splits to the tyre face and wall. Secondly tyre pressure is important both to the comfort of the ride but also for the endurance of the tyre. A partially deflated tyre is far more likely to let you down so make sure you keep them at the right pressure by using a gauge and a pump. Wheel alignment is one issue that can cause tyre wear. It is worth checking this every 90 days or so or sooner if you can see uneven wear on one side of the wheelchair tyre.

Finally we do advise that you keep your electric wheelchair clean. When clean it is far easier to see any potential problem areas as above. Once cleaned it is a good time to apply some lubrication to the parts stipulated by the power chair manufacturer. We advise a good all-purpose silicone based lubricant which also comes in spray type canisters. Use it sparingly and regularly or you will find that it can attract dirt and dust and cause problems rather than allay them.

We hope these tips are useful and help to extend the life of your electric wheelchair.