Whether it's a pair of gloves to protect hands from injuries caused by propelling a manual wheelchair or equipment to adapt a favorite hobby due to a change in circumstances, Rehabmart offers accessories for wheelchair users to make life a little nicer. Here are a few.

  From library.rehabmart.com
 
 
If you want to stay dry on a rainy day, or stay out of the sun on a bright one, the Wheelchair Umbrella provides 40 inches of protection when opened. A C-clamp attaches it to any part of the back or arm that doesn't interfere with the chair's operation. Its stem is fully adjustable to any angle to help the user stay dry or cool.

 
 
 
   From library.rehabmart.com
 
 
 
For manual chair users, the Push Ease Wheelchair Hand Gear allows them to self-propel with reduced risk of blisters and calluses while absorbing the shock from uneven surfaces. As with driving gloves, the leather palms provide a secure grip on the wheels.  The gel padding provides an extra layer of comfort and protection. A hook and loop band at the wrist allows them to be put on or taken off with ease. They come in a choice of full or half fingers and are machine washable.

 
 
   From library.rehabmart.com
 
 
 
Power wheelchairs are a boon to their users, but the small joystick used to operate one can be challenging for someone with compromised finger movements. The Wheelchair Head Switch takes just a light touch from a user's temple to activate motion. It can also be used by tapping with a knee or a hand.

 
 
   From library.rehabmart.com
 
 
 
 
Anyone who has used an e-reader or a tablet knows they can be a little tough to hang on to under the best of circumstances. Keeping a steady hold on them at eye level is the TABGRABBER Mounting System. Its gooseneck arm attaches to the wheelchair arm, or with an optional clamp to a table, while retractable grips keep a secure hold on the device allowing the user to read or play games safely.  

 
 
 
 
   From library.rehabmart.com
 
 
Adapting to changes in mobility shouldn't have to include giving up hobbies like gardening. The Garden Spray Adapted Wheelchair Accessory, specially adapted for wheelchair users, enables them to continue tending to their flowers and vegetables as before. The sprayer attaches to any wheelchair, and its gooseneck mounted spraying wand allows the user to water his or her plants, encouraging outdoor activities while enhancing independence. 

 
 
   From library.rehabmart.com
 
The Spider Deep Back Wheelchair System provides a way to properly align the spines of users who live with scoliosis or kyphosis using cushions with metal supports. Its double mounting hardware allows for up to fifteen degrees of back adjustment and two inches of depth adjustment with the user in the chair. Available covers are made from either Stretch-Air, a multi-layer fabric with foam, Lycra, and a waterproof barrier for air circulation and dispersing heat; and Comfort-Tek, a fluid-proof material intended to provide comfort and pressure relief on bony prominences.  The latter can be cleaned with detergent. It has optional swing away hardware for the sides for ease of transfers, and predrilled holes to install a headrest.

While today's mobility devices have greatly improved the quality of life for people living with neurological or orthopedic issues that might have led to them being bedridden in the past, the accessories help them to reach the next level in leading a satisfying, independent life.


Fran Jablway,
Medical Consumer Writer
and
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Team Leader & CEO