Electric wheelchairs are quite an important development in science and technology as it helps provide more independence to those people who cannot walk and usually require other support for their mobility. Unlike manual wheelchairs which need to be pushed by someone or need to be operated by the person using it, electric wheelchairs are powered by motors that can be switched on and off making their operation much easier for people who are handicapped for movement. As technology is advancing even the wheelchairs are getting better and better, with more capabilities like going up steep slopes. The light weight wheel chairs are good for movement and easy to maneuver too.
Depending on the needs of the person using the chair there are vast amounts of wheelchair accessories that can be bought second hand. Most of these accessories are common between the manual and electric wheelchair because their movement is pretty much similar and except for the electric motors, their mode of functioning is pretty much the same.
The wheelchair tray is one such accessory which is very useful for the person using it. It can be attached with a swivel to the wheelchair and can enable the person to have meals and also to read and write. Some trays can be folded easily when not in use and placed at the back of the wheelchair. Other models can be secured to the side of the armrests with the help of the tray straps. They can also be clamped. The trays are almost half the width of the seats and are meant to be mobile and easily usable with a slight impression that serves as a cup holder. The mega lap trays which hold many more objects from falling off are also available. Although these trays can cost up to $200, the used trays can be bought for less than half the price.
Another useful accessory is the wheel chair ramp designed to provide assistance to the person using the wheelchair when he or she encounters a flight of stairs or a raised place. Although these ramps are a bit difficult to carry around and to be used by those who have a manually operated wheelchair, the ramp adds a new level of independence for those who have electric wheelchairs that can be powered over the ramp without any special effort from the person using the wheelchair. When not in use the ramps, which usually retail at $120 (cost only about 50 – 60 dollars if already used) and can be folded and kept at the back of the wheelchair.
