One chair can do more
Safer transfers, convert for rough terrain, foldable or rigid, raise and lower the seat at will, handcycle and other attachments, interchangeable parts and more....
Welcome To A Wheelchair Journey
I'm asking the world for input in an effort to make a new wheelchair design a reality.
FF
First, let me say, I'm not selling anything in this site. I'm just looking for feedback.
I've designed a different kind of wheelchair that is drawn in a CAD program and has yet to be prototyped. I've worked on a myriad of designs for many years and have designed a user-friendly chair that facilitates more activity.
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Since 1979, I've been a C-7 paraplegic and have always felt that the wheelchairs offered on the market were too limited in what they could do. They're generally not designed to meet more of the needs of a user in a way that allows a user to live a fuller life. There is so much more that can happen with the right equipment and with greater safety. The need requires a major comprehensive shift from a basic wheelchair design that was adopted by the industry many years ago and hasn't changed much to the present day. So much more is possible. With the right wheelchair or wheelchair system, a user can be an active part of the mainstream.
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The problem is that creating a whole new chair and possibly bringing it to market is expensive and/or requires the right kind of manufacturing capabilities. It costs more money and expertise than I have. But like many of you out there, I feel there's a need for it. I'm reaching out to ask the world for feedback and input about the needs I'm trying to address. All disabilities are different and I may not be able to meet all the needs but I believe we can try.
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Steve Ericson
When talking about wheelchairs, this site is generally limited to a discussion of manual wheelchairs. This is due to the fact that as the author of the site, I use a manual chair and don't have much experience with electric chairs. In addition, the chair I've designed is a manual chair because I designed it for my own needs and wants. I welcome discussion about all wheelchairs and hope to someday design an electrified version of my chair.
Links to other wheelchair sites:
These are some of the companies I love. I like them for different reasons. Each one of them has made a real commitment to serve the world of disabilities.There is a lot to learn. Feel free to suggest other links and sites not shown here.
Explore background articles
These articles are generally written from my perspective in the hope that other wheelchair users may identify with some of the needs, possibilities, and other aspects of life in a chair as we see it.
Share your thoughts
Please share your thoughts and experiences so that we might learn from the perspective of others in our quest to develop a new type of chair.
I am hoping to communicate with people who feel a wheelchair can be adaptable and allow wheelchair users to do more. It can be done and it could have a profound effect on people's lives.
Goal
The goal is to create a lightweight, minimal design with single-point attachments for a multifunctional chair that's easy to use and easy to transport with everyday vehicles. A chair that allows a disabled person to increase activity and seamlessly blend with the mainstream population in a way not done by any other chair. The focus migrates from thinking about wheelchair users as segments into which we sell products, towards a deeper understanding of, and commitment to, creating value by solving problems. A chair that goes beyond listening and responsiveness to a deeper understanding of the challenges facing wheelchair users and products that shape their needs. The product should be all about the user and not the producer.