For many people, wheelchairs are an essential part of life. Without these mobility tools, countless individuals would not be able to get around their homes and communities. Since people use wheelchairs for many different reasons – some temporarily, others permanently – you can find a large number of different styles of wheelchairs.

Manual wheelchairs come in both rigid and folding frame styles. Folding frame wheelchairs are most commonly used by disabled persons throughout the world. These wheelchairs are designed with an “X-frame” that allows them to fold sideways without much difficulty. This makes them more portable than other types of wheelchairs, although they are quite heavy due to their large number of moving parts.

Rigid frame wheelchairs also have to be pushed manually but cannot be folded. They are, however, much lighter than other types of wheelchairs. For individuals who need may have a hard time getting a heavier wheelchair in and out of a vehicle, rigid frame wheelchairs are a good option.

Self propelled, electric wheelchairs have become popular with many people since they increase mobility and autonomy. They use either belts or gears to move, with gear driven motors tending to be both quieter and easier to work on when maintenance is necessary.

Electric wheelchairs can vary greatly depending on how they are built and their intended use. For instance, some power wheelchairs can be used on uneven, outdoor terrain without any issue. Other more economical models, however, are not suitable for outdoor use of any kind as their motors, frames, and suspensions are not prepared to handle anything but indoor surfaces. The range of motion and turning radius will depend on the design of the chair and therefore is different from model to model.

Since their invention hundreds of years ago, wheelchairs have been helping countless disabled individuals to get around easier. There are both manual and electric wheelchairs, besides many accessories that can be added to both. Certainly, these useful machines offer a wide variety of mobility options to their users.