THE manual wheelchairs are one of the most common types of assistive technology medically used today. The manual wheelchairs have come a long way since the first creation. There is doubt about who invented the first wheelchair. As a wheelchair user (As a person that uses a wheelchair) I’ve seen the evolvement of the “manual wheelchair.” Manual wheelchair by definition is one that is driven by the user pushing on bars that surround the wheels. The most common type of wheelchair features has a 24” rear-wheel used to steer and two front caster wheels. Most traditional manual wheelchairs range from 10-20 pounds and are usually bulky with no disassemble features.
The manual wheelchair has evolved into a more self-sufficient assistive technology from the 1st generation manual wheelchairs. The most advance feature of today’s manual wheelchair I would say is the lightweight. Traditional wheelchair could weight up to 20 pounds or more depending on the weight limit of the chair. Now adays wheelchair users have the option to choose from a lightweight frame and parts usually made from aluminum or sometimes carbon fiber material. Aluminum chairs range from 7-10 pounds depending on additional accessories if any. Today’s wheelchair has so many accessories to choose options unlike the traditional chairs. You have the choice of two types of pneumatic tires, one solid (hard rubber) and two air knobby thread also for off road terrain. Personally, I chose solid rubber so it never gets flat. Other fancy accessories are 0 inch to 6-inch cambers which make the large wheels slant to a certain degree for mobility and making sharp turns without tipping sideways. Other features of today’s manual wheelchairs are the ability to disassemble. In the past wheelchair didn’t have to option to collapse or disassemble making it hard to transport. Tires have the feature to be snap on or off, making loading easier. Back support is able to fold up or down for storing. You now have the option to choose the color of the chair unlike the traditional chair which only came in steel. Rims can be spokes or fiberglass like material. Also, seat cushions are more advance now to prevent pressure sores.
Today you see many types of manual wheelchairs around the world. In paralympic games and in everyday society helping individuals with physical disabilities be more independent and productive contributors to their society.
NMPASI is the CNMI designated organization that protects the civil, legal, and human rights of people with disabilities. For more information on our programs and services, please contact NMPASI at our office numbers (670) 235-7273/4, text message (670) 287-0652, or visit our website at www.nmpasi.org., and follow us on Instagram @nmpasi670.
JOHN ALLEN CABRERA
Client Advocate
