A lot of people need to be in wheelchairs, whether it is temporary or permanent. Some people have been in wheelchairs their entire lives, while some find themselves in wheelchairs as adults. Most people would not say that needing a wheelchair is an ideal situation, but the option of having a wheelchair is definitely a good thing. There is a lot that someone should know before getting a wheelchair, in order to make sure they are getting the best one.
If you do not know a lot about wheelchairs, you might have many questions on this topic. For example, you might wonder, what is the best medical supply company that can help someone who needs a wheelchair? What exactly is an easy wheelchair? What should I know if I am in need of an electric chair rental? Where can I find the best electric wheelchair for quadriplegics? How do I go about finding a high-quality and affordable foldable manual wheelchair? It might be a good idea for you to do some research on this topic so that you can see what is available in your area. You can also talk to someone who works in the business of wheelchairs, as they might be able to benefit you with their expertise and experience.
With more and more facilities becoming accessible to wheelchair users, they are looking at a world full of possibilities. There are also all kinds of resources for inclusive travel and active lifestyles for wheelchair users and people with other disabilities. Wheelchair users can also find all the necessary equipment and accessories they need, from wheelchair tires to wheelchair arm pads.
A world of mobility
Times are changing fast, and inclusive excursions and other facilities are opening up the world to wheelchair users and others with limited mobility. The turning point would have been the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) which sought to protect the civil rights of disabled persons by prohibiting discrimination against them. It contained requirements for employers to provide special accommodations for disabled persons and for public accommodations to be accessible to them as well.
Disability is defined by the U.S. Census as difficulty with vision, hearing, cognition, walking, self care and independent living. About 10% or one person out of ten of the world’s population suffers from some from of disability. In the U.S., the proportion of the disabled in the civilian population has grown from 11.9% in 2010 to 12.8% in 2016. There are a number of reasons for this increase.
Active lifestyles for the disabled
One reason for the increase in the number of the disabled is increasing life expectancy. Demographers have found that in countries where the life expectancy is over 70 years, people will spend on average eight years or 11.7% of their entire lifespan, with some kind of disability. In the U.S. alone, there are around 3.6 million wheelchair users over the age of 15 years. Both legal and demographic changes have led to the opening up of all kinds of possibilities for an active lifestyle for people with disabilities.
Public accommodations and transportation reflect these changes, and about 98% of all public transportation buses are already wheelchair accessible. Airlines, railways and public buildings are also accessible, and there are plenty of online sources of information about inclusive travel opportunities. Being disabled is no longer a matter of being limited but of living in a world of possibilities. Online stores are also a good source of all necessary supplies, like wheelchair arm pads and bearings.
Since the ADA was passed in 1990, the world has become much more accessible to wheelchair users, with opportunists for travel, work and entertainment. The expansion of online resources means there are many more possibilities for accessing wheelchair equipment like footrest and wheelchair arm pads.
