| Wheelchairs have been around for hundreds of years, | | | | devices for users that have limited motor control or |
| but early wheelchairs were intended only to help a | | | | functions. Customized wheelchairs are now being |
| disabled individual move from point A to point B. As | | | | regularly designed to accommodate nearly every |
| society progressed and disabled individuals became | | | | special need. |
| more integrated, the role of the wheelchair began to | | | | Individualizing wheelchairs for performance is often |
| change as well. The move from functionality to | | | | required for athletes or very active users. This can |
| individuality is discussed in this article. | | | | include creating special wheelchairs for dance with the |
| Wheelchairs have been around for hundreds of years, | | | | ideal center of gravity which help the user to perform |
| but early wheelchairs were intended only to help a | | | | spins and complicated maneuvers with ease. Dancers |
| disabled individual move from point A to point B. As | | | | with limited motor control can have special handles |
| society progressed and disabled individuals became | | | | created which allow their able bodied partners to assist |
| more integrated, the role of the wheelchair began to | | | | them in their turns or maneuvers. Tennis players can |
| change as well. Wheelchairs are now considered not | | | | have special requirements like reverse tilt seating |
| only a means of transportation but also as a way to | | | | position where the back of the seat is higher than the |
| allow users to express their individuality. Users can find | | | | front, in order to give increased power in the arm and |
| custom-made high quality ultra-light high-performance | | | | body movements. Rugby players need specially |
| wheelchairs as well as accessories that enable them | | | | designed wheelchairs that can take a very hard hit |
| to individualize their look and style. The move from | | | | without damaging the wheelchair or the occupant. |
| functionality to individuality is discussed in this article. | | | | Customization for performance is not only for athletes, |
| (Click to see this article with photos) | | | | it can also improve the comfort for everyday users. |
| There were many attempts to connect furniture to | | | | Frames can be custom designed to fit the individual's |
| wheels dating back to the time of Christ. But perhaps | | | | body like a glove. Also, customized wheelchairs are |
| the first wheelchair was invented for King Phillip II of | | | | lighter and usually perform better. Most mass produced |
| Spain. A drawing of the King dated 1595 shows him in | | | | wheelchairs are made by using adjustable brackets to |
| a chair with wheels, armrests and footrests. However, | | | | hold the frame together so that a prefabricated |
| he needed assistance to propel it and the chair | | | | wheelchair can be adjusted to fit different individual's |
| resembled more a modern baby's highchair than a | | | | sizes and requirements. However, these brackets |
| wheelchair of today. In 1665 one of the first | | | | create weight. Customized wheelchairs are made to fit |
| self-propelled vehicles was invented by Stephan | | | | the individual that they are created for. Instead of using |
| Farfler. But it looked more like a present day hand-bike | | | | adjustable brackets, the wheelchair parts are welded |
| than a wheelchair as it was propelled by hand cranks | | | | together. This means that the wheelchair is not at all |
| attached to the front wheel. The modern wheelchair | | | | adjustable, so it must be designed correctly by an |
| began to take shape in the late 19th century to early | | | | experienced professional. However, since welds are |
| 20th century with the advent of push rims for | | | | lighter than brackets, customized wheelchairs are |
| self-propulsion and slings for seat and backrests. The | | | | considerably lighter. They also usually perform better |
| 20th century saw a rapid development in wheelchairs, | | | | since the energy from the push may be lost in small |
| from the first motorized wheelchair, to the first folding | | | | movement within the brackets. |
| wheelchair, to lightweight and sports wheelchairs. | | | | Customization can also individualize the look and style. |
| The most recent two decades have seen the | | | | Wheelchairs can be painted with special colors or |
| progress in the modern wheelchair accelerate. They | | | | designs, upholstery can be made to order, lighted |
| are lighter and perform better than ever before. There | | | | casters, funky spoke guards with individualized |
| are now many possibilities available to improve the ride, | | | | patterns and bling-bling wheels with rotating spinners |
| from suspension systems which help to remove | | | | give the wheelchair a very unique look. Accessories |
| vibrations and jolts, to ultra-light weight frames which | | | | can be purchased to complete the look. Leather, |
| enable better performance, to special designs for | | | | zip-on, frame covers can give an elegant style and |
| every individualized need and taste. The recent trend is | | | | bags made from material to match the upholstery can |
| towards customization. Customized wheelchairs are | | | | complete the look. |
| now being requested for many reasons: | | | | Advances in assistive technology, such as the recent |
| - fitting special physical needs | | | | progress in wheelchair design make it easier for |
| - improving or providing special performance | | | | disabled individuals to integrate into society. But even |
| - expressing style and image | | | | with new technology, users would not be able to |
| Customization of the wheelchair to fit some special | | | | integrate without public access and funding to |
| needs of the user can include simple modifications of | | | | purchase the new technology. The best wheelchair in |
| standard designs or creating an entirely unique design. | | | | the world would not help a disabled person to move |
| Imagine a mother who is a triple amputee. How will she | | | | about if society did not provide ramps, special doors |
| move herself and her baby? Special wheelchairs can | | | | and other infrastructure to enable access to public |
| now be designed to help her. For example a user with | | | | spaces, transportation, sidewalks and roads. And while |
| an amputated arm can use a special wheel which has | | | | in some countries laws have been created and public |
| dual handrims to allow both wheels to be controlled | | | | funds have been set aside to help disabled people |
| with one hand. The wheelchair can also be modified so | | | | integrate, in many other countries access is not yet |
| that it stretched in front, allowing the child seat to be | | | | available and wheelchair users are left at home. In |
| attached to the wheelchair in front of the mother. | | | | such countries wheelchair individualization is still a thing |
| Other examples may include designing extra long or | | | | of the future. Assistive technology can improve the |
| extra short wheelchairs for very tall or small users or | | | | wheelchair but it takes a progressive society to |
| reinforced wheelchairs for heavy users or specialized | | | | improve the surrounding world. |