Consumers: People who buy and use wheelchairs

Some people who visit this page are new at using a wheelchair.

As a person who is new at using a wheelchair or as a family member of a person who is new to using a wheelchair, you probably have many questions. In fact you may be feeling overwhelmed by the amount of information and the kinds of decisions you are now faced with. (As WheelchairNet develops we plan to include some software resources that will help with this decision-making process.)

Experience is a good teacher for sure, but experience can come at a high price. Here are a few ways you can learn from the experiences of others.

First, we offer some of our clinical and research expertise about wheelchairs. This is to provide background information. which might answer some of your basic questions. We think some of these first questions might be:

• Getting used to a new idea...Using a wheelchair for the first time!
• The evaluation process: What is it and what should I expect?
• How will my wheelchair get paid for?
• How do you take care of a wheelchair?
• What are the safety issues with wheelchairs?
• How can I find out about kinds of wheeled mobility products?
• What is a "wheelchair accessible" environment?
• Where can I learn about mobility products that can help me with daily living?
• What is the difference between a scooter and a power wheelchair?
• How can I learn more about living every day life when using a wheelchair?
• How can I learn more about consumer education and wheeled mobility?
• How can I learn more about wheelchairs and selection decisions?
• Read about Historical Overview of Disability Policy.
• Read parts of the Manual Wheelchair Training Guide?
• Read parts of the Powered Wheelchair Training Guide?
• Read a book review of 5 books about wheelchairs and selection decisions?
• How do you choose a Managed Care Organization... if you use a wheelchair?
• What does it mean if your wheelchair professional has Certification in Assistive Technology?
• What do all these new words mean? Check out, a glossary of words about wheelchairs.
• How can I find my way around WheelchairNet? Is there a site map? How about a search?

If you think we missed a topic, let us know.

Next, we can link you to the experiences of others through a threaded e-mail discussion. This link will take you to the New Wheelchair User Discussion. Here you can ask your own questions and get them answered directly by others who use wheelchairs. Follow this link to take a look at the discussion group.

Also if you are new to the Internet, you might want to check out our page entitled "Tips to make it easier to use WheelchairNet."

Other people have a lot of experience using a wheelchair.

Of those people, some will have a little experience... and others will have a lot!

As a person who uses a wheelchair every day you know what the issues are. You have learned many things on your own! You have learned a lot of "tricks" for getting through each day and for doing the things that are important to you!

One of the things WheelchairNet can offer you is information resources. Hopefully you have looked in the "Community Living" section of WheelchairNet and found some of resources or connections that can help you do even more new things. If you are feeling a little lost in WheelchairNet take advantage of our site map.

Another thing that WheelchairNet can offer you is the opportunity to contribute your ideas and solutions to others. Take a look at the Discussion Groups on WheelchairNet and see if a topic interests you. You may want to ask a question or you may want to share some experience of your own. Join a threaded e-mail discussion or send us an e-mail message with your thoughts.

Some things you learned by yourself. Other things you learned from other wheelchair users or wheelchair professionals. We know that learning never stops.

There might be some things you'd still like to know...

• A Guide to Wheelchair Selection: How to Use the ANSI/RESNA Wheelchair Standards to Buy a Wheelchair.
• Wheelchair selection: What the best way to choose a replacement wheelchair?
• What do "Evaluation Team" members contribute to evaluations?
• How can I find out more about what is possible for me? Check out 10 years worth of archived articles from Team Rehab Report, the widely acclaimed publication focused on integrated and practical Assistive Technology solutions.
• How can I think more clearly about "Prioritizing and Making Decisions about Wheelchairs"?
• How do I get through funding processes more easily?
• How can I accomplish new goals or branch out into new activities?
• Where can I learn about what's new in mobility products?
• Are you ready to explore Wheelchair and Seating Standards Development?
• If you think we missed a topic, let us know.

Discussion Groups

Of course, WheelchairNet is a "work in progress." It will be constantly developing but it can only grow to meet your needs if you let us know what you need. There are a number of discussions in process on WheelchairNet where you can contribute your ideas or experience to others.

• Link to Discussion Groups

Back to Products and Services

Last Updated: 3-2-2006