There Are Different Types of Wheelchairs?

In the 12 years I’ve been in a wheelchair, one of the things that most stands out to me is how some people panic when they see someone in a wheelchair in public. Let me clarify. It’s that there are members of the public who just have no idea what to do or how to react to someone in a wheelchair being independent. Sometimes they stare without meaning to and make eye contact and they feel the need to say something to acknowledge me. The default reaction is to make a lighthearted quip about the chair. This quite often then makes way for comedic gold lines like “Slow down there mate, don’t you know there is a speed limit in here!” or “Geez, you got a license for that thing?”... Hilarious, am I right? No, no is the answer. I know they’re just trying to be friendly, but usually it’s more alienating and awkward than anything.

These reactions stem from a lack of understanding and familiarity with wheelchairs and how many types there are and how different and personal they can be. Unfortunately, a large chunk of the population believe a wheelchair is a one-size fits all device; and that device happens to be for someone who is broken, and needs looking after. After all they all have wheels right? Again, no is the answer by the way.

So, with this in mind here are some breakdowns of some different wheelchairs you might find out in the wild. See if you can collect them all!

Types of Wheelchairs

Transport Wheelchairs

These are solely made for transporting people who might not be able to otherwise move themselves. These chairs are designed to be pushed by someone else and are generally foldable for transport in vehicles. All the wheels are small and there are no push rims for self-propulsion. The chairs can be different sizes to help fit the individual but are not customizable to the same level as everyday chairs. These are frequently used for transporting ageing persons. Disabled persons with higher levels of mobility do not use these chairs on a regular basis because of the lack of the option to be independent.

“Hospital” Wheelchairs

These are the chairs you’ll find, believe it or not from the title, in hospitals and nursing homes. They are generally a one size fits all design made for transporting patients around quickly and efficiently. Different from the transport chairs, the hospital chairs have large back wheels with push rims for self-propulsion and small front “caster” wheels. Therefore, someone can either use the push handles to push someone around or the person using the chair can push themselves. Think of the kind of chair someone might rent if they break their leg or at an amusement park. Their one size fits all design is best for universality for temporary use, but it is not ideal for most individuals. The lack of sizing to the person using it makes the pushing technique less efficient. They are also not padded and structured properly for long-term use and can be damaging for someone who needs more specializations in their chair (ie a pressure cushion or support).

Everyday “Day” Wheelchairs

These chairs are for people who rely on a wheelchair for mobility and use them for daily independence. This can be a sole source of independence for disabilities with little or no lower limb function or part-time use for semi-ambulatory peoples. These types of chairs are highly customized for the individual’s measurements and requirements to achieve the most efficient use of energy for the person and allow them the best quality of life possible. They are frequently a lot smaller and lighter in build and try to eliminate superfluous or heavy parts. As you can see in the pictures below, some examples of parts that day chair users may choose to not have on their chairs are, bulky separate foot plates, armrests, or push handles as you see on the transport and hospital chairs. These choices are based on personal preference and need and depend on functionality. Unfortunately, like everything in life, you get what you pay for and the better built/quality chairs can range well into the $15,000 range.

See some common day chair brands and examples below.

Power-Assisted Wheelchairs

This is where an attachable powered device is added to a manual day chair. This can help a wheelchair user extend their range and conserve energy. The two most popular power assist devices are a powered wheel add-on (like the SmartDrive) or a pair of special wheels that have motors built-in that can be put on the day chair in place of their regular set of wheels.

Power Wheelchairs

There are many, many different types… but the unifying factor is that there is a motor built into these chairs. They are normally very heavy and heavy-duty. Frequently, they are steered with a joystick, however they have almost unlimited adaptations for controlling the chair. Some of the chairs have truly amazing technology. These are usually used by people with very little mobility who may have a lot of difficulty with a manual chair, or not be able to push one at all. The price tag on these are very high, even into the tens of thousands (the most I’ve heard is ~$80k).

Sports Wheelchairs

You wouldn’t go playing basketball or running a marathon in Dr.Martens. Why? Of course, because you use specific shoes for these activities. This same concept goes for the type of wheelchairs people use to play sports. Sports specific wheelchairs are unique to each sport. Basketball and tennis for example requires a chair to be fast, light and quick to turn and respond. These are similar, but the most notable difference is that basketball chairs have a bar in front to protect from contact, while the tennis chairs do not. Rugby is a full contact sport so the chairs need to be armored to take the hard hits from other chairs. Athletic track chairs (“race or racing chairs”) need to be light and fast, so they are long in shape and aerodynamic. These are only a few examples of sports chairs! Unfortunately, unlike an able-bodied person being able to pull on a pair of training shoes and try out many different sports, para sport is, for many people, financially out of reach. Entry level chairs start from around the $4,000 mark and have been known to go into the $30,000 range.

Familiarize yourself with some sports chairs below.

So, now you have the general run down of the different types of chairs (and their costs), you may start to understand how personal and expensive a wheelchair can be. As touched on in previous blog posts, it’s really an extension of self and being separated from it and worried that it’s not being treated with care is a very common concern.

For many disabled persons, the experience of traveling via airplane is the epitome of this issue. Here is an example of a situation myself and a lot of wheelchair users come up against when traveling via airplane.

The Wheelchair User Airplane Travel Protocol

Before entering the plane the crew will have you transfer into a very skinny wheelchair called an aisle chair. From there, you are taken onto the plane to your seat, your personal day wheelchair is then put into priority luggage under the front of the plane to make it first off when you land and brought to the jetway bridge for you to transfer back into and be on your way… Side note, whenever you have to use the bathroom, you have to get an attendant to get the aisle chair, strap you in, push you to the bathroom, wait, bring you back, etc... Okay, maybe that wasn't so quick.

The Issue

Anyway, the point of that side tangent was that quite often the chair sometimes gets damaged from getting handled roughly and, even worse than that, sometimes doesn't make it to the gate, or if the airline really messes up, not even to the right country! This is high-key one of my biggest fears every time I travel overseas (it has happened to a teammate)!

So, what do the airport staff do in this situation? They roll out the large hospital or transport chair and don’t understand why you’re flipping out about your missing chair. They usually act confused when you inform them that that is ‘in fact not my wheelchair’ and have the gaul of being upset with you for ‘complaining’. My chair is what gives me freedom and independence, forcing me to use a chair like this takes that away and, not to mention, I will not be calm again until I’m safely in my own day chair and am confident that it’s in good working order.

I know people’s intentions are never malicious when situations like this happen, but the lack of understanding of the gravitas of the situation causes tension, panic, misunderstandings and sometimes anger. Hopefully, understanding the different wheelchair types and these sorts of instances will help you all embrace the concept that a wheelchair is not just a wheelchair.

Sam McIntoshJune 20, 20202 Comments