Wheelchair Ramps For Vans

Wheelchair ramps for vans are a cheaper way of getting access to your van compared to buying a wheelchair lift. These ramps will make getting into your van a lot easier. If you have an electric wheelchair, then ramps or lifts are an essential part of your life when getting in and out of vehicles. If needed, some of the ramps are portable and can be used in other areas and not just cars.

Depending on the ramp you purchase, they can have a 600 pound or more capacity. You can get a ramp that has other weight capacities though. They can come in different lengths and width, and for vehicles that are a little higher off ground than usual, you could get a longer ramp to make the incline less steep. There are ramps that are foldable, portable, and also ones that are permanent.

When you are looking for your wheelchair ramp for your van or car, you might want to think about if you will use it for one or multiple vehicles. If you will only use it for one vehicle, then you can get a bolt on ramp that would be semi permanent. If you might use the ramp for more than one van or car, then you probably want to get one that is portable so that you can interchange it between vehicles. That way, you do not have to pay more money for a 2nd wheelchair ramp.

Wheelchair ramps will have a grip material that is often times like sand paper. This is so that the wheels do not slip or slide anywhere when moving into the van.

The prices for these ramps can range, and it will vary on the brand, type of material it is made out of, whether it is portable or not, the size of it, and many other variables. If you do a little shopping around you can find the perfect wheelchair ramp for your van.

Get information about wheelchair ramps here: Wheelchair Ramps for Vans

Wheelchair Scales Weighing the Disabled

One of the major difficulties in hospitals and clinics is weighing the non-ambulatory. These patients, who range from the very ill to the elderly and overweight, require several people to move from a wheelchair to a scale, even a chair scale. In many cases, moving these unhealthy individuals is not advised, either for their own health and safety, or for the safety of the individuals who need to move them.

One of the best inventions of the 20th century, in terms of protecting patient and healthcare worker safety, is the wheelchair scale. Even the most common model, built for use with any standard wheelchair, offers such options as eye-level readability for nursing staff, a dual-sided readout beam, a detachable ramp for easy movement on and off the platform (and for use as a stand-alone scale), and an optional kit that converts the scale to work in tandem with existing Detecto scales.

The stationary model of a wheelchair scale features a padded handrail for ambulatory patients, a non-skid mat and a die-cast, dual-sided, eye-level weight beam in either 4-ounce or 100-gram increments. Battery operated, this model allows medical personnel to either key in the weight of the chair or use preset options.

Wheelchair scales for bariatric patients will read values up to 1,000 pounds, and the portable model - reading at 800 pounds - features integral wheels and handles for complete portability, as well as battery power and the option to enter the chair weight so that the readout displays only patient weight.

The ultimate wheelchair scale, offering weighing options for both geriatric and bariatric patients, has two non-skid rubber platforms, one for wheelchair weighing and the other for ambulatory patient weighing. It also has a remote weight display on a 15-foot cable suitable for either desk or wall mounting.

Stephen is a writer for Universal Medical Inc.
Universal Medical Inc is a premier provider of wheelchair scales and health care industry products. For the complete wheelchair scale line - please visit http://www.universalmedicalinc.com/clinical-equipment/medical-scales/wheelchair-scales

Build a Wheelchair Ramp Yourself

If your loved one has recently started to use a wheelchair, then you may like to know how to build a wheelchair ramp yourself. Your house may not be accessible at all from the outside and you may be struggling to deal with inside accessibility problems as well. Depending on your skill level and what you feel comfortable doing, you may be able to save some money on all of these adjustments and build your own ramp.

Getting Started

Wheelchair ramps can be a basic straight line from pavement to porch or more complex if they wrap or zigzag. How complicated you get will depend greatly on your skill level. But to design and build a wheelchair ramp yourself essentially depends on two factors when you're in planning stage: your loved one's needs and the building the ramp leads up to.

You know how strong or weak your loved one is right now and the ramp, especially the rise, needs to work with that, not against it. In order for him or her to use the ramp alone, it must be a gentle enough slope. Otherwise it will either be a fight to the finish or the wheelchair will simply roll backwards. If you're designing the ramp for one specific person, you can tailor all of this to that person's needs.

Your house is also an issue to factor in when designing the ramp. If the porch is raised high off the ground, this can lead to some designing issues and usually requires a ramp that zigzags. Using a straight ramp in that situation can lead to a very long gateway to the top of the porch to avoid a ramp that's too steep. Using a lower back entry might be a better option in some cases when you build a wheelchair ramp yourself.

Following Building Codes

Don't overlook the building codes required by your own area. However, when you build a wheelchair ramp yourself, even if it's for a home, you also need to follow the regulations outlined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This act defines measurements and other specifications that result in the most safe and functional ramps. Building wheelchair ramps when you don't actually have to use one can be challenging and these standards ensure that ramps function well.

You can take these guidelines into consideration when choosing the right material to work with. Wood is an inexpensive and reliable option that's also relatively easy to work with. You can find plans to build a wheelchair ramp yourself on the ADA Web site and instructions for creating the framework and basic structure online. Keep in mind that the most important thing is that the ramp is safe and functional.

You may never have thought you'd be building a handicap ramp for any reason. But taking the time to build a wheelchair ramp yourself can help you to save money and also provide independence for your loved one and take some stress off of yourself as well. Plan ahead by considering your loved one's needs and the design of your house. Then read the guidelines from the ADA and bone up on local building codes as well. Use pre-made plans or design your own ramp, following the codes you're now aware of.

Read more about build a wheelchair ramp yourself. Visit http://www.wheelchairsramps.net

Wheelchair Basketball - Getting Involved

Wheelchair basketball originated as rehabilitation exercise after World War II for ex-service people with spinal cord injuries. It has subsequently developed into an extremely popular sport incorporating a wide range of wheelchair athletes. It is one of the most popular sports at the Paralympic Games and is now played at competitive level by over 25,000 people in some 90 countries worldwide.

Thousands more play socially in schools, clubs and colleges. It is played by two teams of five and is similar to the running version of the game using the same sized court and almost identical rules. The ball is moved via dribbling or passing and players must throw or bounce the ball after every two pushes of the wheelchair or be penalised for 'travelling'. One point is scored for a successful free throw, two for a normal field basket and three from behind the arc of the three point line.

Professional wheelchair basketball players use purpose built titanium chairs costing upwards of £3,500 and they only last for about six months during intensive competition. Players are assigned a classification that equates to a number of points. Each team must have a minimum points total.

If you are interested in playing at a local club you will find information on the Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association (GBWBA) website at http://www.gbwba.org.uk/. The GBWBA acknowledges the crucial role regional clubs play in promoting and maintain the growth of Wheelchair Basketball throughout the UK.

The GBWBA club development policy encourages clubs to provide a safe environment for participants to play and provides a clear structure towards fostering sporting excellence, increases the number of participants and funding avenues available and is committed to increasing the number of volunteers, coaches and officials available for wheelchair basketball. All this sets a clear pathway for local clubs to slot into local, regional and national programmes and helps them to achieve their targets.

Once you have located your closest club on the GBWBA's 'Find a Club' page, go on down to speak to one of the coaches or volunteers to enquire about joining in and to find out the sort of skills you will need to develop for wheelchair basketball. Players must not only master proper handling of the ball but proper handling of the wheelchair is a crucial element. This is difficult to master as the hands are occupied with both ball handling and wheelchair mobility and some chair skills need to be updated so that they can be applied whilst still keeping control of the ball, for example for pivots and stationary turns.

With enough practice and determination you will begin to make the simultaneous control of chair and ball look effortless. You can take the sport as far as you like; for recreation and exercise or you may just become good enough to compete in the League or go on to represent Great Britain at the Paralympics! Wheelchair basket ball in not only for the guys, the GBWBA has created a Junior League and a Women's League - in fact the women's League has grown so much that it now has two divisions.

Article by Michael R Browne for Gowrings Mobility:
Leading the way in wheelchair accessible disabled vehicles. With a range of new and used mobility vehicles.

How to Assess Second-Hand Wheelchair Vehicles for Sale

The costs associated with disability are high, so finding cheaper options to such essentials as wheelchair accessible vehicles is necessary for some. Buying a second-hand converted vehicle is much cheaper than converting your own car or van, or buying a new vehicle specially fitted out for wheelchair accessibility. It must be remembered, however, that every wheelchair confined passenger has specific needs, and all require a maximum level of safety. It is important that all second-hand wheelchair vehicles and cars for sale you find are assessed carefully before a purchase is made.

The range of used wheelchair accessible cars for sale is more limited than the wheelchair accessible cars for sale at specialist conversion companies, and you may not be able to find a used wheelchair vehicle that perfectly suits your needs. It is important to not compromise the specific transport and mobility requirements of your wheelchair confined passenger in favour of cheaper used wheelchair cars. A quick internet search, however, reveals many different sites selling second-hand disability aids, including wheelchair accessible vehicles. You may be able to find the perfect second-hand wheelchair vehicle for sale locally and for a reasonable price.

The first consideration when assessing used wheelchair cars for sale, as with any second-hand products, is to determine the vehicle is in good working order. Overall safety is paramount with any vehicle, but even more so with vehicles carrying disabled passengers. It is therefore of utmost importance the wheelchair accessible car runs well, with no faults, to minimise the risk of accidents on the road. If the wheelchair car for sale is not in perfect working order, the vehicle may still be worth buying if it caters to your particular needs. In all cases you should at least be fully aware of all faults, so they can be restored once the vehicle is bought. If possible you should obtain a written description of the wheelchair vehicle for sale from the seller to protect your legal rights if any faults should arise soon after purchase.

There are two avenues for finding second-hand wheelchair vehicles for sale, through private sellers or commercial suppliers of converted vehicles. Buying a second-hand wheelchair accessible vehicle from commercial retailers is the more expensive option, however vehicles sold this way are more likely to have been serviced, reconditioned and sold in good working order. Mostly, these second-hand vehicles will also come with a short guarantee of three months or so which ensure safety and peace of mind.

At Capital Special Vehicles Melbourne you can find extensive range wheelchair accessible vehicles for sale. Capital Special Vehicles are one of the leading service providers who provide vehicle conversions services in Melbourne.

Ricon Wheelchair Lifts Offer Advantages

Those who are in wheelchairs will find these lifts will make their lives easier. This is true for caregivers as well who need to help their family or patients into and out of their wheelchair accessible van. Ricon wheelchair lifts are one of the most recognized names on the market, and they have many advantages that you will be able to appreciate. These lifts will be able to save you a lot of time and frustration when it comes to getting into and out of the van.

Ricon wheelchair lifts will fit many different types of vehicles, and they are easy to operate. You can find various types of lifts on the market, from the electronic lifts to the hydraulic lifts. When you are choosing the type of lift that you want to have, electric or hydraulic, it is important that you learn about the different advantages of each.

The hydraulic lifts do not need any electricity to operate, so even if your van has no power, you will still be able to operate the lift. Theses lifts generally carry a higher price tag, but they are worth the extra expense to most people. Those who can afford it may want to opt for this type of lift.

The electric wheelchair lifts are friendlier to your wallet, and they work just as easily as the hydraulic lifts. While they run on electricity, you can choose a lift that has batteries. This makes them operable even if you do not have any power in your vehicle.

When you are going to the dealership to inquire about Ricon wheelchair lifts, you should have the salespeople take the time to show you how the different lifts operate. Don't just watch them operate the lifts - do it yourself so you know what to expect from the lift when it is installed on your vehicle. The salespeople should be able to answer any questions that you might have about the lifts before you buy.

Check to see what type of warranty comes with them as well. If something were to go wrong with the lift mechanically that was not your fault, it is important that you are able to get it fixed in a timely manner and without having to spend much, or any, money.

Great wheelchair lifts can make your life much easier, and most people find that they are worth every penny.

IMED Mobility is your premier supplier of Ricon wheelchair lifts and mobility equipment. Visit IMEDMobililty.com to find wheelchair lifts and wheelchair accessible van rentals.

Sheepskin Wheelchair Covers - Do I Need a Sheepskin Wheelchair Cover on My Chair?

Many people are confined to wheelchairs due to a number of ailments. This confinement is challenging to say the least. When you are sitting in a nice cool air conditioned room things may be OK, but when you roll outside into the hot summer sun this becomes a whole new story. During the hot months especially in parts of the country that have high humidity a wheelchair can be really uncomfortable.

Have you ever had to sit outside for just a few minutes and when you get up your whole back is wet with sweat? Just imagine what its like having to sit down all the time. A person that is confined to a wheelchair has no air circulation to their backside. This causes extremely uncomfortable times to say the least. Does it have to be this way? No I think there is a very simple fix that will minimize these uncomfortable times.

Sheepskin seat covers for wheelchairs are not only affordable, but will make the chair feel like a completely different chair. The sheepskin fiber's have a hollow core that can absorbs moisture without becoming damp or clammy. The sheepskin fibers have a harder outer layer that protects against liquid moisture. This liquid moisture is repelled while humidity from heat and sweating is absorbed, and that helps with temperature regulation.

Not only does sheepskin keep outside moisture away from the skin, the wool fibers wicks away perspiration when you sweat. Now this is the amazing thing, normally when you sweat after a while things start to smell badly. With sheepskins ability to absorb moisture combined with the naturally protecting oils that are held within the wool fibers there is no smell. The sheepskin wool fibers have the ability to continuously allow air to flow between these fibers so the fleece never gets wet because it is constantly drying itself.

When you put all of this together you have a material that is super comfortable, cool in the summer, warm in the winter, naturally protects your skin, keeps everything nice and dry and always smells neutral. You can find tailor made covers for any wheelchair for under $150.00. This is a great way to get comfort and protection and not break the bank.

Sheepskin seat covers come in a variety of colors as well as medical grade if someone has sensitive skin. Sheepskin is naturally hypoallergenic because there is no dander. The natural oils in the sheepskin fibers that naturally protects the wool itself,aids in making sheepskin so safe for sensitive skin.

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