Wheelchair Specifications

Wheelchairs provide mobility for individuals unable to walk due to illness or injuries. Manufactured in different sizes, shapes and configurations, wheelchair specifications outline the parameters of use, from the size of the seat to the dimensions of its width. A person requiring a full-time wheelchair needs it fitted to his personal dimensions and requirements.

Weight

• Weight in wheelchair specifications refers to two factors. The first involves the manufacturer's weight limit for the occupant. Some wheelchairs list at 200 pounds, while others have higher limits up to 500 pounds. While a weight limit higher than the user's weight should be used, a second weight specification deals with the wheelchair's weight when empty. As a general rule, the higher the occupant's weight limit, the heavier the wheelchair. For example, a lightweight 200-pound weight-limit wheelchair weighs 21 pounds while a standard 250-pound chair weighs 38 to 39 pounds. A wide heavy-duty chair holding 350 pounds weighs 51 pounds.

Seat Dimensions

• Width and depth are the two specifications dealing with wheelchair seating. The lightweight wheelchair weighing 21 pounds has a seat width of 18 inches and depth of 16 inches, while the standard 250 measures 16 or 18 inches by 16 inches. The heavy-duty chair has a width of 20 inches and a depth of 18 inches.

Overall Width

• A wheelchair's overall width becomes important when navigating the wheelchair through doorways, especially in older homes and buildings built before handicap accessibility was a consideration. The overall widths are as follows: The lightweight model measures 25 inches, the standard chair is 21 inches and the overall width of a heavy-duty chair is 28 inches.