Lightweight Wheelchairs Key Terms

Helpful key terms to select the best lightweight wheelchairs

Lightweight wheelchairs come in a variety of models and styles, each designed to meet a specific health need or requirement. This list of key terms can be helpful in choosing the right kind of lightweight wheelchair to buy or sell.

Medical equipment suppliers often use a lot of interchangeable terms and healthcare equipment jargon. If you are not familiar with the terms, then buying and selling the right equipment can be frustrating or risky.

 

Hill holder brakes

Lightweight wheelchairs come equipped with different kinds of brakes depending on the model, but hill holder brakes are found on almost all new models. This safety feature prevents the chair from rolling backwards if the user repositions his hands when wheeling uphill.
Try: Wheelchair.ca explains the different kinds of lightweight wheelchair brake systems and the advantages of hill holder brakes.

Transport chairs

Transport chairs are a lightweight wheelchair requiring that someone stand behind the wheelchair and push the rider and steer the chair. These chairs are often used for transportation of individuals with limited upper body strength.
Try: AirGo Transport offers this lightweight transport chair and explains its uses, benefits and product specifications.

PVC wheelchairs

PVC is a light-weight, yet durable plastic that allows designers to create unique shapes. When combined with wheelchair technology, this versatile material allows a variety of functions.
Try: Access Able Designs has developed some wheelchairs using PVC to create some all-terrain wheelchairs capable of traversing sand, snow, and other soft soils.

Heavy duty lightweight wheelchairs

Some wheelchairs are lightweight while still being heavy duty. Heavy duty wheelchairs are specially enforced to sustain a higher weight capacity, ideal for users over 300 pounds.
Try: Edmond Wheelchair offers a wheelchair purchasing guide that explains the differences between standard and heavy duty lightweight wheelchairs.

Pediatric lightweight wheelchairs

Pediatric lightweight wheelchairs are smaller, lighter, simple versions of a standard lightweight wheelchair designed to be used by children or smaller patients.
Try: Learn how pediatric lightweight wheelchairs help children with mobility limitations lead normal, happy lives with this easy guide from Abledata.

Lightweight wheelchair assistive steering device

A lightweight wheelchair is often equipped with an assistive steering device for people with limited upper body strength, dexterity or mobility. Assistive steering devices vary based on individual capability and can often be operated by hand, finger or even mouth control.
Try: The Wheelchair Site offers an easy to understand definition of a lightweight wheelchair assistive steering device.

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