cross-posted from: https://lemmy.wtf/post/10145550
You know what the one thing a wheelchair-bound person never needs?
A fucking chair.
No, you see, it’s not a full chair, just the backrest. Just in case their wheelchair backrest needs to rest.
Oh, and here i was thinking they found a way to cut costs on wheelchairs by removing the backs – necessitating these backless-wheelchair-accessible-wheelchair-backs for those that need to give their backs a break.
Backless and low back wheelchairs are definitely a thing, though fortunately not for cost savings, but for better mobility for the user.
If you have really good T-spine mobility and control, it can sometimes be beneficial to get rid of the back of your chair, giving you more range to twist, turn, and lean from the hips.
With enough upper body strength, If you go for a lightweight no back chair with tip wheels, strap in, and get some durable gloves, you can even do full cartwheels in a wheelchair.
Obviously whether a backless chair is appropriate is very individual and a physiotherapist and occupational therapist will need to help assess.
They do, though. Most tables don’t sport the room underneath to allow a wheelchair, this if one goes out for dining, one needs to transfer to a regular chair.
If possible ofc, but it sincerely limits the scope of restaurants you can visit if you can’t switch seats.
i always wondered why the arms of wheelchairs weren’t adjustable/removable. It seems like it would be a smart thing to implement. I can move my office chair arms up and down, forward and backwards, i even have about 30° of rotation available
