How to Make Wheelchairs Safer for the Physically Impaired

Wheelchairs are basically safe. Manufacturers build in certain devices to ensure a minimum degree of safety for wheelchair users. The operative word is minimum. If you're a wheelchair user, or a caregiver who handles wheelchairs on a regular basis, why would you want anything that has a minimal degree of safety? Many easy-to-install, reasonably priced accessories are available to boost wheelchairs' safety standards.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Basic wheelchair
• Wheelchair accessories to boost safety
• Willingness to keep making improvements until you are satisfied that safety has been optimized !

1. Find ways to make your wheelchair more visible to motorists and pedestrians. Wheelchairs ride low to the ground and often are not visible between cars in parking lots or among crowds of people. Folding wheelchair flags go up easily and come down easily, ensuring that you will be seen.
2. Improve wheelchair grips. For physically impaired users who handle their own wheelchairs, you may know that the rims of wheelchairs can be slippery, narrow, and hard to grip. Foam-based wheelchair grips slide easily onto the wheel's rim and have removable, washable covers. Physically impaired users who typically have caregivers pushing them may be aware that wheelchair handles are not friendly to the human hand. Like the wheel rims, they too are slippery and narrow. Ergonomic handles attach in a snap and let your caregiver push you in greater comfort and safety.
3. Determine the best possible positioning of the physically impaired in the wheelchair for safety and comfort. For ultimate safety, it is imperative that you be fully contained within the wheelchair--all of your extremities. A weakened arm or leg that occasionally drops to the side cannot be considered the ultimate in safety. Arm supports, as well as foot and leg huggers, help you keep it all together.

Tips & Warnings

• Receive training from health care professionals in wheelchair use.
• Help the physically impaired to personalize their wheelchair as much as possible.
• Research all the newest technology to improve the safety and comfort of wheelchair users.