Pediatric Wheelchair Accessories: Enhancing Mobility and Comfort
For caregivers and parents, finding the right accessories for a wheelchair can make all the difference in enhancing a child's mobility and comfort. This guide explores a variety of pediatric wheelchair accessories designed to support independence. Additionally, this guide highlights decorative accessories that offer young wheelchair users the opportunity to express themselves.
Understanding Pediatric Wheelchairs
Pediatric wheelchairs are built to fit younger users while allowing room for growth and adjustment. A child may get a wheelchair before they reach school age, making these wheelchairs significantly smaller than an adult wheelchair. Like adult wheelchairs, pediatric wheelchairs may either be standard size or custom fit, and manual or power, depending on individual needs.
Pediatric Wheelchair Accessories for Custom Wheelchairs
The following are common accessories for pediatric custom wheelchairs:
1. Anti-Tippers
Anti-tippers are small accessories that can make a significant difference in wheelchair safety, especially for kids. These small wheels attach to the back of the frame and help prevent the wheelchair from tipping backward, which is particularly useful when climbing ramps or navigating uneven surfaces.
While anti-tippers are also used on adult wheelchairs, experienced users may choose to remove them. This often allows for advanced maneuvers like wheelies, curb navigation, or even stair and escalator access when elevators aren’t available. In these cases, anti-tippers can get in the way.
On both pediatric and adult wheelchairs, anti-tippers are typically adjustable, making them adaptable to different environments and user needs.
2. Tall Push Handles
Push handles are a common wheelchair feature, but their design varies depending on the user's needs. Adult wheelchair users may have no push handles, or short handles, often because adults may prefer to self-propel.
In contrast, pediatric wheelchairs frequently include tall push handles. These often attach to the welded wheelchair frame, and are designed with caregivers in mind, making it easier and more comfortable to assist children in busy environments or during longer outings. Since kids may tire more quickly or need help navigating crowds, tall handles offer convenience for standing individuals who may push a child’s wheelchair.
3. Trays
Trays can be a practical and versatile accessory for pediatric wheelchair users. These surfaces can serve as convenient tables for meals, schoolwork, play, or therapeutic activities, making it easier for kids to engage in activities. Trays can also be used for postural support for the upper extremities. Since trays are often adjustable and easy to remove, caregivers can quickly adapt the setup to different situations.
4. Wheelchair Tie-Downs and Occupant Restraint Systems
Wheelchair tie-downs and occupant restraint systems are used to safely secure wheelchairs during transport, particularly when the wheelchair user will remain in their wheelchair while a vehicle is in motion.
Wheelchair tie-downs and occupant restraint systems are especially common in pediatric populations, particularly among those who may ride a bus to school every day.
Wheelchair tie-downs and occupant restraint systems are designed to work with WC19-compliant manual and power wheelchairs, meaning the frame has been crash-tested for safety. Not all wheelchair frames are built to support wheelchair tie-downs, so if a child stays in their wheelchair during transport, it’s important to communicate this need to an assistive technology professional (ATP). They can help ensure the wheelchair meets WC19 standards and is properly equipped with wheelchair tie downs and occupant restraint systems for safe travel.
How to Decorate a Kids Wheelchair
The following items can be used to decorate a wheelchair, offering a unique opportunity for individuals with disabilities to express their personality through a mobility aid.
1. Spoke Skins
Often used for bikes, spoke skins can also be utilized for wheelchairs. These colorful plastic straw-like covers wrap around each spoke of the wheelchair wheel, allowing kids to express their individuality through various spoke colors. Spoke skins are temporary and can be easily added or removed, allowing children to switch out colors on their wheelchair spokes as they wish.
2. Spoke Clips
Like spoke skins, spoke clips offer a fun way to customize a wheelchair. These clips attach to the wheelchair spokes, available in various shapes and colors. Stars, hearts, butterflies, and lightning bolts are common spoke clip shapes, but spoke clips can also be custom made through 3D printing or online sellers on websites like Etsy.
3. Spoke Guards
Spoke guards are a simple yet effective accessory that adds both safety and personality to a child’s wheelchair. By covering the open spokes of the wheels, they help prevent fingers from getting caught, which can be especially important for younger children who may be curious and like to touch the wheels.
Beyond safety, spoke guards are also a fun way to personalize a wheelchair. They come in a wide range of colors, patterns, and themes—from bold prints like camo and leopard to beloved cartoon characters, empowering kids to express themselves through their mobility devices.
One company, Izzy Wheels, makes spoke covers that can fit both pediatric and adult wheelchairs.
4. Light-up Caster Wheels
Like how kids’ shoes come in light-up varieties, the front wheelchair wheels, known as caster wheels, may be available in light-up varieties. These wheels illuminate as the wheelchair user rolls.
Additional Accessories to Consider
Additional accessories can be added to wheelchairs to support mobility and independence. These accessories may include, but are not limited to:
1. Wheelchair Cup Holders
For wheelchair users, especially those using manual chairs, holding a drink while on the move can be a challenge. Power wheelchairs sometimes come with built-in cup holders, but some wheelchair users utilize aftermarket solutions.
Two cup holders designed specifically for wheelchair users are the Ffora cupholder and the Handicup. Ffora’s minimalist ring-style cup holder attaches to the frame of a manual wheelchair and works well for lightweight cups. The Handicup, created by a wheelchair user, features a traditional closed-bottom cup holder design with an arm that slides under the wheelchair cushion for stability and easy removal.
2. Wheelchair Bag
Many custom wheelchairs come with a wheelchair bag. These bags can be particularly useful because wheelchair users often have limited access to pockets when sitting in a wheelchair. Wheelchair bags offer an option for a wheelchair user to easily carry and secure personal items. Beyond the wheelchair bags that may be offered by a wheelchair manufacturer, companies like JanSport sell adaptive bags which can be utilized by wheelchair users and people with disabilities.
3. Wheelchair Gloves
Wheelchair gloves can be helpful for full-time wheelchair users or people who travel significant distances in a wheelchair. Like how a child may get blisters when using the monkey bars on a playground, blisters can be common among manual wheelchair users due to the friction of metal push rims against the skin. Weightlifting gloves can make for sufficient wheelchair gloves, offering a fingerless design to keep from hindering mobility, while protecting from skin breakdown.
How to Choose the Right Accessories for a Wheelchair
When selecting wheelchair accessories for a child's wheelchair, consider individual preferences, lifestyle, and specific needs, keeping in mind that a child's needs, preferences, and lifestyle may change over time.
Accessories found on children's wheelchairs, including functional and decorative accessories, can be found on adult wheelchairs too. Read more about wheelchair accessories in our article on wheelchair accessories to improve mobility.
Additionally, read the related articles below to learn more about wheelchairs, their benefits, and medical and insurance coverage for these vital mobility aids.
