Are You Looking for Information About Wheel Chairs and How to Find Funding for a Wheelchair?

Engineer, Henry Jennings built the first folding, tubular wheelchair in 1932, for a paraplegic friend, Herbert Everest. Together they founded the Everest and Jennings company and cornered the wheelchair market for many years. In those years wheelchair users were confined to institutions and were not seen much in the outside world.

Things have changed. In an article written in 2002 by, H. Stephen Kaye, Taewoon Kang and Mitchell P. LaPlante. An estimated 1.6 million Americans residing outside of institutions use wheelchairs according to a 1994-1995 data from the National Health Interview Survey on Disability (NHIS-D). Most (1.5 million) use manual devices with only155,000 people using electric wheelchairs. In addition under the American with Disability Act (ADA) of 1990 wheelchair users today, have a legal right of accessibility to buildings and facilities.

So where are these people finding information about wheelchairs?

This article will shed some light on information about wheelchairs such as:

A guide about manual wheelchairs.

A guide about electric wheelchairs.

How to find funding for wheelchairs.

A listing of places to find wheelchair information and wheelchairs.

Manual Wheelchairs

Excerpts from an article by 1-800 Wheelchair.com

There are two basic types of Manual Wheelchairs.

Standard Wheelchairs and Transport Wheelchairs.

Standard wheelchairs are most often propelled by the user but can also be pushed by a companion.

Standard wheelchairs are distinguished by the two large wheels in back and two small wheels in front.

Transport wheelchairs, cannot be propelled by the user, only by a companion.

Instead of large rear wheels, all four wheels are of the smaller "caster" type.

Manual Wheelchairs Weight

The lighter the wheelchair, the easier it is for a user to push uphill and the easier it is for a companion to lift up stairs or place in a car trunk.

Weight Capacity

Standard wheelchairs generally have a 250 lb weight capacity. If the user requires a stronger chair, heavy duty or "bariatric" can support up to 500 lbs.

For more information on manual wheelchairs visit

www.1-800wheelchair.com

Electric Wheelchairs

In an article on

Ezine@article by Anne Clarke it states: "One's budget, physical requirements and personal interests may influence the decision between a powered or manual wheelchair. Electric styles offer the following advantages over the manual standard and manual transport chairs.

Advantages

Greater turning maneuverability.

Greater propelling versatility.

Greater independence.

Less exertion is required.

Less area restriction.

For individuals who require daily increased maneuverability and /or long-distance traveling capability, an electric wheelchair is a solid investment. It might be helpful when purchasing an electric model to speak to other owners and find out what features, concerns and advice they can provide. Additionally, any trail period sales can determine the features in a chair an individual might need. A power chair will cost more money, need more maintaining and are heavier. These chairs are more expensive because they include a power pack and motorized wheels. For more informationabout electric wheelchairs visit: www.wheelchairs

How to Find Funding for Wheelchairs.

In article by Moses Wright on

He states that, "the available options that Americans can use should they need any assistance in funding for a wheelchair and if the respective authority reckons that based on the individual circumstances, the applicant is eligible for the grant or benefits then he will get funds for the wheelchair."

Options listed in the article are:

The Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers (RTS) also known as Durable Medical Equipment (DME).

Medicaid

Waivers for children who use wheelchairs known as "Katy Beckett Waivers".

Medicare.

For more information and details on these options visit:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert-Moses_Wright

Listings of places to find wheelchair information and wheelchairs.

1-800-wheelchairs.com

320 Roebling Street

Suite 515

Brooklyn

New York 11211

Telephone:1-800-320-7140

718-302-1923

Fax: 718-302-9015

Bethman Sales

38836 Belmora Blvd. Lake Villa

Il 60046

Joy@bethmansales.com

Telephone: 847-245-2135

Fax: 847-356-6335

AmericaRx.com

East Elmhurst

New York

11370

Telephone: 1-800- 361-2028

Fax: 1-800-361-2084

All Time Medical

17 Sutton Road

Monsey

New York

10952

Telephone: 1-866-406-3099

Local 845-406-3098

Fax: 845-40-6-3095

Recycled Wheelchairs:

The Wheelchair Recycler

A Massachusetts's base organization that recycles wheelchairs and electric scooters to people without insurance and other means.

508-460-6328

Wheelchair Recycling Program

A non profit wheelchair and equipment refurbishing program based in Wisconsin.

608-243-1785

Sources:

USA TechGuide

1-800-WheelChair.com

Ezine@rticles

LDRC Articles

Disability Statistics Center.