An Inside Look At What Wheelchair Accessories Can Make Your Life More Manageable

When you live in a wheelchair, you’re always worried about accessibility. Being wheelchair-bound doesn’t mean you can’t have a full life, with various activities, personal hobbies and general interests. However, it does mean that doing those things can be difficult. And that’s why we’re discussing accessibility: your ability to access places and things is critical for determining how difficult any activity will be.

For instance, if you like to cook, you’re going to need some lowered countertops and a reachable stovetop or oven. Otherwise, cooking will be an incredibly tough activity.

So what kind of accessories can help you avoid further difficulty? Here are some of our favorites:

“Wheelie” bars: These little accessories received their nickname because they help you in case of wheelies – when the front of a wheeled vehicle raises up higher than the rear of the vehicle. Although you’re probably not doing any stunts on your wheelchair, it can be surprisingly easy to topple over. Seasoned wheelchair users recommend these, especially for newer users.

A cup holder: This might sound like a joke, but I’m 100 percent serious. Unless you’re in a powered chair, you’ll be using your hands for navigating and handling the wheels; who’s going to hold your drink? And hydration is important. The average person is supposed to drink eight glasses of water per day, but actually ends up drinking around four. That’s simply not enough.

A cushion: Wheelchairs are all meant for reliability and transportation, but not necessarily for comfort. And since so many people end up using wheelchairs for such a short period of time, most of them aren’t that comfortable to sit in. If you ended up with an un-comfy wheelchair, consider purchasing a cushion for it. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but it should definitely be soft and relaxed. And if you’re looking for something specifically made for wheelchair use, there are many options available