Frame Adaptations for Manual and Power Wheelchairs include
- Reclining or Tilt-in-Space chairs
- High Back, or
- Reinforced Chairs / Wide Seat adaptation
Reclining or Tilt-in-Space chairs
- A reclining options is only seen in chairs that have tippers, large center wheels, and smaller front wheels as otherwise a tilt feature in a manual chair is not as safe. It is important to include balancing features in a reclining chair. In a reclining wheelchair, just the torso leans back, increasing the angle between the hips and the trunk.
- Tilt-in-space is an option where the chair seat slides along a bar and keeps the weight of the chair in the center, for balance. In a tilt-in-space wheelchair, the entire body is tilted, keeping the angle between the hips and trunk at 90 degrees.
Recommended For:
- Tilt in space is primarily necessary for individuals who are unable to adjust their weight or shift their position in their chair. This feature helps relieve pressure and prevents pressure sores.
High back
- High backs offer support for the entire back, and sometimes the head.
Recommended For:
- Individuals with low muscle tone in the trunk
- Individuals who benefit from external support
Reinforced Chairs / Wide Seat adaptation
- Reinforced manual frames are seen on manual chairs and offer a heavy-duty metal base to support more weight
- Power wheelchairs can often times support more weight as well
Recommended For:
- Individuals with a larger body size /weight
wheelchair advance 