Content Overview 
- Summary
- Deciding To Use A Wheelchair
- Power Chair Or Manual
- Assess Your Needs
- Types Of Wheelchairs
- Wheelchair Options
- Working With Your Team
- Build A Team To Assist You In Choosing A Wheelchair
- How To Fit A Chair
- Getting The Chair
- Travel With A Wheelchair
- Wheelchair Etiquette
- What If I Can't Afford A Chair?
Wheelchairs 101
How To Fit A Chair
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A properly fitted chair is extremely important, not just for comfort reasons but also to prevent bruising, pressure sores, and poor posture. While the members of your team are very knowledgeable in knowing how to fit your chair to your body (if they aren't they shouldn't be on your team), general guidelines to consider are:
MEASURING FOR YOUR CHAIR
|
Area |
Measurement |
Goal |
Check |
Seat Width |
Distance across thighs or hips plus 2 inches |
Allow room for body to sit comfortable |
Palm of hand should fit between hips and sides with some room to spare |
Seat Depth |
Distance from back of buttocks to back of knees plus 2 inches |
Allow room for knee to bend without pinching against seat edge |
Four fingers should fit between front edge of seat and back of knees |
Seat Height |
Distance from knees to heels plus 2 inches |
Allow feet to rest comfortably on foot rests without knees bent more than 90 degrees |
Two fingers or more should fit under the thigh to at least the second knuckle |
Back Height |
Distance from seat to under the armpit with arms extended from your sides |
May vary depending on the level of support required for the upper body |
At minimum, four fingers should fit between the top of the seat back to under the armpits |
Arm Height |
Distance from seat to under elbow bent at right angle plus 1 or 2 inches |
Arm should rest on armrest comfortably when sitting erect |
Create a triangle with your arm, the armrest and back as the three sides |
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