|  | Public Health Safety | Public Health

Wheelchair FAQ

According to AbleData, the first recorded use of wheelchairs in the United States was during the Civil War. Since that time, wheelchairs have helped people at many points in their lives, for example during recuperation from an injury. For people with a permanent medical condition that prevents them from walking, wheelchairs can be a lifeline to greater mobility and the opportunity to work and live a more fulfilling life.

  1. Wheelchair Types

    • Wheelchairs are of various types. Manual wheelchairs require users to move the wheels to go forward or backward. Motorized and electric wheelchairs allow people to move around faster than with a manual wheelchair. There are wheelchairs for different specific needs, for example athletes competing in sports like basketball and tennis, as well as wheelchairs for children. The Levo Kid wheelchair allows children to stand without leaving the chair.

    Wheelchair Features

    • Wheelchairs are no longer the bland-looking metal foldout models often associated with hospitals. Wheelchairs have many different features that include more than just accessories such as cup holds and seat belts. Wheelchairs can tilt and recline for people who are unable to stand for long periods of time or who are interested in standing without leaving their wheelchairs. Also, there are lightweight wheelchairs made of materials such as titanium. Other wheelchair features include the type of joystick, armrests and cushions.

    Costs of Wheelchairs

    • The cost of wheelchairs usually varies according to such aspects as type, size and weight. As of 2006, for instance, $2,000 to $3,000 was the average price of everyday wheelchair models, according to AbleData. The cost of wheelchairs may be covered by funding sources such as Medicare, Medicaid or worker's compensation. Although people can use their health insurance to pay for a wheelchair, the chair typically has to be deemed medically necessary. For example, sports wheelchairs are usually not covered by health insurance providers.

    Wheelchair Laws

    • Many federal and state laws in United States relate to wheelchairs, for example regulating how wide doors in public buildings must be. Although state laws vary, states typically have some kind of motorized wheelchair lemon law, according to USLegal. The lemon law provides a legal remedy for people who buy wheelchairs that do not conform to the terms of the contract. Generally, wheelchair manufacturers are allowed to fix any problems with purchased wheelchairs before the customer receives a new wheelchair or a refund.

Public Health - Related Articles