Updated April 05, 2014.

There are a few steps involved in shopping for the proper fit and comfort for your wheelchair. There are also wheelchair accessories you can choose to make the wheelchair experience more effective, and more convenient.

STEP 1:

The first step is to realize that there are many types of wheelchairs. Do you research and shop for the one that meets your needs. There are standard wheelchairs, narrow wheelchairs, bariatric models for people who need wide chairs that can support weights in the 500 pound range; there are wheelchairs for infants and children, there are wheelchairs specifically designed for easy transport; if you are a person who requires magnetic resonance imaging for your condition on a regular basis, you can find wheelchairs made of materials that can safely go into an MRI machine.

If your condition requires it, you can also find wheelchairs that recline. Finally, there are also chairs made of antimicrobial properties so that germs cannot live on the surface. 

STEP 2: 

Consider if you need power. There are powered wheelchairs and powered scooters for people to choose from in case manual movement of their own wheelchair is not possible, or perhaps too cumbersome for long-term effort.

There are online retailers who have done a great job of creating YouTube videos where they demonstrate the use of these powered chairs and scooters. The videos show you within a few minutes how easy the chairs are to assemble and disassemble for easy use and travel, how to charge their motors and batteries, how quickly they move, and how easily they are to maneuver.

Video s a great way to evaluate these types of mobility devices. Marc's Mobility is one company that I have found does an excellent job for people trying to shop in this category. 

STEP 3:

Buy the chair online or at your local retailer.

STEP 4:

Consider your home, and access into it. Do you have stairs? Will you need a wheelchair ramp installed so that you can get in and out of your home while in your wheelchair? 

If so, you'll want a wheelchair ramp installed right away. There are companies like Living Free Home that sell and install wheelchair ramps, and some have created YouTube videos to demonstrate the installation process so that you can get comfortable with what it could look like and how long it will take to install a ramp. 

STEP 5:

Use your wheelchair for a while. Get comfortable with it. And start to take note of what is missing that could make your experience better.

STEP 6:

After you've spent some time on STEP 5, you'll be in a better position to research types of wheelchair accessories that can make your life better, safer, more comfortable, and/or more convenient.

Some accessories include:

• storage bags and cup holders
• lap trays
• communication mounts for cell phones, tablets
• safety accessories like flags or lights
• canopies and covers that can protect the chair when in storage, or can be mounted to protect the chairs user from bad weather like rain, snow, or strong gusts of wind; there are even handlebar specific covers that protect the users hands on a motorized scooter.
• "wheelblades" cover the wheels and create a ski effect for easier mobility in snow
• saddle bags for storage; there saddle bags that mount on the side of the arms and others that mount on the chair back
• shelves and glove boxes for storage; shelves and glove boxes typically mount under the seat of the chair
• crutch and cane holders
• joystick cover
• threshold ramps for easier entry and exit from your home, or from room to room
• sleeve guards that protect the skin of your arm that constantly comes in contact with the wheelchair arm
• weather chaps that cover the legs and provide protection from rain, snow, and strong wind, and add a little bit of warmth on the legs
• and more!