IWheelchaired Mobility, continued

n addition to manual wheelchairs that are designed for self-propulsion, there are also chairs designed not to be propelled by the occupant:

Dependent/Transport mobility bases are not designed for self-prolusion. These chairs will often have small rear wheels and may look and function much like a stroller. For transport purposes, these chairs often fold compactly to store in the trunk of a car and provide “light duty” mobility. Many people may find a transport chair is a convenient “back-up” to their primary chair, easily folded when not needed, but readily available if their chair breaks down.

Specialty Positioning bases are dependent mobility devices that allow for changes in positioning by tilting the seating system or reclining the backrest or both. These devices are not easy to transport, but are designed to provide comfortable, full day seating for the user, who is not able to propel or operate a power wheelchair. Very often the person needing a specialty positioning manual chair has multiple needs. He or she may have significant postural support needs, for example – fixed scoliotic curve of the trunk, poor sitting balance and very poor head control.