Important questions to ask when buying a wheelchair

There are a number of sources for wheelchairs, but first determine what kind of chair will suit you best.

• Will you be using the chair inside or outside?
  
• What kind of terrain will you be traveling on?
  
• Will you be shopping with the wheelchair, playing sports?
  
• How will you get the chair from one venue to another?
  
• Are you in the wheelchair all day, part of the day?
  
• Will there be someone to help you with the wheelchair?
  

In answering these questions you can see whether you will need a lightweight, manual chair for shopping or a motorized wheelchair to give you maximum freedom and mobility. If you are in the wheelchair all day long, you will want the features that make it as comfortable as possible, with powered tilt, reclining, etc.

Also consider speed, the kind of joystick, and even the color of your wheelchair.