Shop2Wheels

Wheelchairs make great 2 dimensional transportation: they move back and forth and left and right very easily… as well, the turning radius on a wheelchair has markedly improved over the past few decades making wheelchairs much more able to get into and out of tight spaces. Today, the final frontier in wheelchair accessibility is making the wheelchair easy to move from one level to another…up and down. Do you need to move your wheelchair from one height to another? You have a few options, which we've outlined below.

A lift is one way to move your wheelchair from the ground into or onto a vehicle. Lifts can be attached internally or externally. Often, they attach to the wheelchair and pick it up off the ground; Sometimes they use a hook method and other times they use a platform method. For example, on an external hitch (which hooks into the trailer hitch of your car), you simply drive your wheelchair onto the platform and then get off the wheelchair and raise the platform. Obviously, this type of lift is for users who do not need to be in the chair all the time or who have someone to assist them. An internal lift may work as a hook (without the user in the chair) or as a platform (with the user in the chair), lifting them into the vehicle.

Wheelchair ramps are another way of getting from one level to another. They can be designed from metal or wood. Often, the metal ones are purchased and although you can purchase a wood one, they are often built right onto the house as a do it yourself project. Municipalities often have recommendations for the height and length ratio (which is sometimes called the slope or the rise) in order to ensure the safety of the user. If you are having yours built, be sure to request traction tape or sand paint to be applied to the surface so that you can be sure you'll be safe when it is snowy, icy, or wet on the ramp.

Of course, these ramps in the above paragraph are permanent. An alternative for some people is to get a portable ramp they can take with them wherever they go. There aren't many truly portable ramps (that can be easily carried by someone in a wheelchair and placed on the ground in front of them) but there are ramps that – if you have an assistant – the ramp can be put in the car and taken out when necessary. This is the perfect solution for when you go to stores or commercial buildings that are not well designed for wheelchairs.

Another way to get from one level to another, if the level is not too big, is to simply use brute rolling force and a little balance. Most wheelchairs actually come with six wheels on them: four primary wheels for the main purpose of motion and two extra wheels…on some wheelchairs they are in the back and act as supports for when you tip backwards; on other wheelchairs they are on the front and act as "climbers" for when you approach a curb and need to get over.

We're not yet at a place where a wheelchair can go where anyone else can go…but we're getting there slowly. Until then, here are a few ways to get your wheelchair from point A to a point higher or lower!

Create a video blog...instantly.

Cheshire's county town is the historic Chester, one of the United Kingdom's best preserved medieval walled cities.

When you visit the city of Chester, you'll almost certainly pass through these medieval city walls. Although there is evidence that they have been in existence in some form since Roman times, they have been replaced and repaired numerous times since those days.

Of course, there is more to do when you visit Chester than just examine its walls!

When you are deciding on your hotel to stay in when you spend some time in the city, you should check whether it is inside the city walls or outside. There is plenty of accommodation in and around the city at prices to suit all budgets, although you should book early if your stay coincides with one of the various festivals that Chester is host to.

If your stay is in the summer, you should check out the annual Chester Music Festival which has now been running for some 30 years. There is plenty of variety in the music that gets played each year, so you should check out what's being planned for your visit.

Midsummer in Chester sees the Watch Parade, which has been happening at the summer solstice since around 1195. The parade is a spectacular site and to maximize the number of people who are able to witness it, it is now held on the Saturday closest to midsummer. You'll be able to watch the decorated floats as they progress through the city's narrow streets, ending outside the Town Hall where you can watch jugglers, fire breathers and dancing being performed.

Chester also hosts a series of Mystery Plays. These have been delighting audiences since at least 1422. The plays themselves are based on biblical stories and the performances take place in the city every five years.

Whilst football isn't the strong point of the city, they do have a professional club: Chester City, who play at the Deva Stadium. Depending on where you are in the stadium, you could be in either England or Wales as the grounds straddle both countries.

Basketball fans can maybe take in a game featuring the Cheshire Jets at the Northgate Arena. There are also regular games from the Wheelchair Jets, Chester's very own wheelchair basketball team.

The Chester Romans are the local American Football team, so if you're visiting the city from the USA there's no need to get nostalgic about a lack of your local sport!

If you have children with you on your visit, you may want to watch the local rowers and canoeists paddle down the River Dee. Or you may prefer to view the less organized sight of the annual charity raft race.

Another way you can reach Chester is on a canal boat. You can take your hire boat and moor right in the centre of the city, which gives a totally different viewpoint and is a leisurely way to tour the area and see places that were still commercially using the canal until as recently as the late 1950s.

Caffeinated Content

A portable wheelchair lift is a great cost effective alternative compared to expensive elevators or other costly alternatives. It is designed for individuals with physical disabilities to ensure their practical access to solutions for mobility as well as climbing stairs. It is not only useful but also makes disabled people’s lives convenient, fast and easier.

Be it for commercial or residential applications, a portable wheelchair lift may have many practical uses. They come in two operation categories, namely the electric and hydraulic. The electric operation category comes with battery back-up systems for any case of power failure or shortage while the hydraulic operation category uses hydraulics for increased performance.

If needed the electronic portable wheelchair lift can be installed with telephone jacks or automatic door openers. The electric portable wheelchair lift is significantly cheaper than the hydraulic portable wheelchair lift.

All branded portable wheelchair lifts are created with an outstanding blend of durability, comfort and quality to be able to meet the needs of the users. It may come with extensive selections of styles, features, functions, sizes and even colors. With the many models and styles, the most popular are the ones with inclined platform lifts and vertical platform lifts.

Every kind of portable wheelchair lift is made available with its own set of unique specifications and features. Aside from its portability, it is also safe and quiet to use. The ones with inclined platform lifts are ideal for traveling or climbing up to either curved or straight stairways. One great advantage of this model is that it can be tower-mounted or wall-mounted to the staircase.

Aside from the most affordable solutions, it can also be used on various styles of stairways. It is very simple to set up as well as to operate. It has many user-friendly control stations and many safety features such as anti-slip flooring, emergency stop switch, handrail, under-platform sensors and many more.

Create a video blog...instantly.

by Lori Batcheller

Accessible sports venues are bringing new meaning to the commonly used phrase “level the playing field.”Besides incorporating the idea of fair competition, where no advantage is given to either team, these venues are making America’s favorite pastime accessible to all, according to Disaboom, the largest online community for people with disabilities.

To date, more than 80,000 children use more than 100 accessible baseball fields across the United States, including Puerto Rico. Each custom-designed field uses cushioned, rubberized turf to help prevent injuries, wheelchair accessible dugouts, and a completely flat surface to eliminate any barriers; the bases and mounds are painted on.

“The design removes all obstructions,” says Diane Alford, executive director of Miracle League—the nonprofit organization that created the first accessible field in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia, nearly 10 years ago. The idea began in 1997 when a local youth baseball coach invited a disabled child who was cheering on his younger brother during games to join in. The following year, the Miracle League was formed to provide opportunities for all children to play baseball, regardless of their abilities.

Equality in rules

To equal the playing field, the Miracle League created new rules: every player bats once each inning; all base runners are safe; every player scores a run before the inning is over; and the last batter up gets a home run. And to make the game a community affair, local volunteers from youth groups such as Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, church groups, parents, and other children, team up with the players to serve as “buddies” to assist them on the field. Finally, to ensure the game is fun rather than competitive, each team and each player wins every game.

Leveling the playing field

Simply creating new rules to play by didn’t solve the accessibility challenges. “We quickly recognized that the reason most children with a disability don’t participate in sports is because of the venues rather than the rules of play,” says Alford.

Playing on the same grass fields and with raised mounds and bases as the other community baseball teams presented potential safety hazards—not to mention additional challenge—to blind players and those on crutches or walkers or in wheelchairs.

After a lot of research and fund raising, including partnership with local Rotary Clubs, the Miracle League found a type of rubber that would make the playing field safe, latex-free, and provide the right surface for the ball to roll rather than stop, and not bounce up and hit someone. The new complex opened in Atlanta in April 2000, with 100 players participating on behalf of the 50,000 children with disabilities in the Atlanta area, generating national attention.

The League Grows

When Lisa Kensington learned about the Miracle League through HBO’s Real Sports, she immediately undertook creating an accessible field for her community outside of Denver, Colorado. Teaming up with the Foothills Parks and Recreation, the Jason Jennings Adaptive field opened in the spring of 2006 under the name of Sports Made Possible.

“We opted to change our name from a Miracle League to Sports Made Possible to better reflect our mission,” says Kensington. While Kensington has been involved with other major fund raising efforts prior to this one, she says that creating Sports Made Possible has been the most fulfilling project she’s ever done.

“It’s a win-win game for everyone involved,” says Kensington. “The buddies get to build a relationship with a disabled child, and the children get to build relationships with other community members.”

Looking to the future

The Miracle League hopes to serve more than 1.3 million children through 500 accessible fields by 2012. Currently 40 fields are under construction with 50 more in development.

To learn more about accessible sports venues visit disaboom.com. Since its launch in 2007, Disaboom is dedicated to providing the resources and information necessary for people with disabilities to live forward.

Create a video blog

Beach wheelchairs are made of durable plastic so that trips to the pool or beach won't rust or induce water damage. Additionally, some plastic wheelchair frames can be taken apart and reassembled, making them easy to transport.

Beach wheelchairs even are equipped with reclining features allowing its owner to lay back at the beach or pool and catch a tan. Beach wheelchairs are typically available to rent at heavily visited beaches. However, most do not allow the individual to push themselves over rough surfaces or sand.

Beach wheelchairs are similar to wheelchairs with four wheels, where individuals must be pushed by another person. Electric beach wheelchairs may be a great option for individuals who go to the beach on a regular basis. However, they are quite costly, and aren't suited for individuals who wouldn't get a great deal of use out of them. Overall, there are other options for traveling on more rugged surfaces.

If you like your electric wheelchair, you can have a wheelchair dolly created to use as a portable beach platform. This may be more cost-effective, but it lacks access to the most difficult areas and tends to be less steady. Manual wheelchairs can also be used at the beach with the help of a kit. This is the most cost-effective option, however, kits typically do not allow you to push yourself. Additionally, manual wheelchairs can rust when exposed to saltwater.

Beach wheelchairs are not the only product for those with limited mobility, canes, floating wheelchairs and balloon tires for walkers can also be purchase to allow for beach access. Beach wheelchairs let you travel all the places a normal wheelchair cannot, including the beach, snowy areas, and other uneven terrain.

Caffeinated Content

s a great sport for everyone

The great thing about learning to sail, especially in the UK, is that the coast is so close to us. We are never too far from a sailing adventure! Leaving the land behind us and disappearing into the ocean on a yacht is less of a dream than you may think.

People of all ages are learning to sail. There is no age limit and children as young as 5 can help crew a yacht. Most sailing only requires a small amount of physical strength, meaning it can easily become a passion enjoyed by everybody.

Leaning to sail doesn't have to be expensive. Don't rush out and buy the most expensive clothing and equipment. For your first few times on the water you can borrow or rent anything you may need. Invest in the sport once you've started to sail regularly.

People with disabilities, such as vision impairment, can sail without restriction. Wheelchair users can still participate in the sport but should be more careful in their selection of sailing vessel.

Learning to sail is a wonderful experience and a hobby which will bring you hours of enjoyment. It's not a hard sport to conquer but the potential hazards you'll encounter mean safety is key. We've put together this guide to help you when learning to sail.

Where To Begin?

Contact your local sailing club and offer your services as a novice crew.

Or teach yourself the basics with books or on the internet, and then contact a sailing club.

Book yourself onto a sailing course - these normally last a weekend, although holiday sailing courses can be up to 2 weeks.

You'll find sailing centres anywhere on the coast of the UK, but the heart of sailing has to be the Southampton coast. With its many harbours and exciting sailing around the Isle of Wight, it's an excellent place to learn to sail.

Sailing on the UK coast starts around April and usually finishes in September. Mediterranean sailing lasts a little longer. Look to the Canaries or the Caribbean for winter sailing. You can sail a dinghy in the UK all year round.

Be Safe

Safety on the water is the most important factor to consider when learning to sail.

Avoid crowded harbours and peak hours. Having to keep a safe distance from other vessels will only distract you.

To begin with, go out in low winds. There is no point in sailing for speed straight away. Ensure you can walk before you can run!

Always run through a safety drill before you leave dock.

The chances are you'll learn to sail in a small boat or one with a light boom. Learning to control the boom is essential for smooth sailing and safety.

Swimming

It may sound like simple advice, but if you're going on the water you need to be able to swim. Even the most experienced sailor will find themselves in the water at some point. Being a competent swimmer will ensure you stay calm in a potentially harmful situation.

Vital Equipment

You'll need the following items when learning to sail:

A good set of boat shoes A life jacket or buoyancy aid Signal equipment Brightly coloured clothing suitable for current weather conditions A high factor sun cream

Whatever adventure you're looking for, sailing can offer it. Now you know where to start, just go ahead and do it! We can assure you, you'll never look back.

Caffeinated Content - Members-Only Content for WordPress

Jerry is a college sophomore. This person was fond of extreme sports and would never back down when where there was a challenge.

When someone on television was able to go up a 65-degree slope using a motorbike, some friends dared this individual to do the same thing. Unfortunately the ending was different and Jerry had to stay in the hospital for 2 weeks.

Doctors who examined Jerry said that this person had a concussion on the head, a broken right elbow and a dislocated knee. The only good news was that the patient would be able to have 100% recovery.

The only way for this person to go around was on a wheelchair. Since Jerry didn't like being pushed and couldn't do it alone, the only thing left to do was to get an electric wheelchair.

The electric wheelchair is also known as the power chair. This is very similar to the ordinary model except for two things. First, the larger wheels on this one are in front instead of the rear. Second, it is powered by a battery with a joystick as the controls mounted on the armrest.

Booking for a rental is very simple. Here are the 5 steps that the parents took in getting the electric wheelchair.

First, the customer should get in touch with the store. Some may be found in the Internet while there are also some that could be in the local directory.

Second, the individual must explain the kind of wheelchair that will be needed. This depends on the need of the one using it.

Third, when the ideal wheelchair is found, it is time to book this using a credit card. Those who rent a unit for less than a month will be charged full price. Patient's like Jerry who will use it for an extended period will just pay for the deposit up front then billed for the remainder later on.

Next, the person will pick up the electric wheelchair. This should be inspected for any damages so that the customer will not be charged for any damages if the former client used this.

Lastly, this should be returned after using it. This can be dropped off at the store, picked up at home or at a designated meeting place.

Renting an electric wheelchair is like getting a car for a few days. The person should take good care of it so that the next customer will also be able to use it.

Create a video blog

It has always been a fact that health is very important to all people and must be given proper care. Everyone is responsible to take good care of their health. Pediatricians are also responsible for the infant's health, and provide them with proper guidance for the achievement of good health.

Often, disability cannot be prevented especially on children. And so they are given care givers but still they need the assistance so that the patient can meet their basic needs in their everyday lives. Pediatricians can even recommend the use of mechanical aiding device to reduce burdens.

To increase the mobility of the children having lower strength and endurance due to some health problems, a pediatric electric wheelchair is required. It provides enough convenience for the improvement of motion. Its variation is rugged. It contains a joystick that is placed on either left or right-hand side helpful for those children unable to walk or can only use one hand. There are also frames being designed to support heavy weight.

It is recommended for children with head injuries.

It is advisable for those who suffer cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy.

Can also be recommended for amputated children and is not subjected for artificial limbs.

It is also used as a substitute for crutches or walkers for children

The Pediatric Wheelchair must comply with the physician's specifications. The age and ability of the child also determines the wheelchair's category. The child is given the right to choose what wheelchair he wants to use. Proper orientation about the various features on the category of the wheelchairs must be given to the parents and the child. Before the wheelchair meets a problem, it is advised that they must ask for the maintenance manual and troubleshooting guide. They can also ask help from the pediatric electric wheelchair dealer.

These wheelchairs vary in designs depending on the nature and age of the child. Lifts are designed for either child, junior or growing patient are good for those ages 6 years and above. Children active in sports and wants to move freely are advised to use the lightweight or the sport Pediatric wheelchair.

This wheelchair should be adjustable as the child grows and should fit the child's needs. The frame design must be rigid for changing it to a self propelled chair thus making it easier to push and maneuver the chair.

The designs can be assembled with back set in a folding or non-folding position. The ones folded help in easy transportation. Having an open frame makes it possible to easily integrate the systems of the seats.

The built-in growth adjustments must be incorporated in the steel frame accommodating the growing yeas of the child and can also act as a support. The multiple wheels and some combinations of casters help in rear wheel positions to help the growing arms of the child for self propelling.

Create a video blog

The Convenience of Standing Wheelchairs

Wheelchairs are designed to provide basic mobility and freedom to those who are forced to use them due to old age or accidents, etc. The manufacturers of wheelchairs are always looking new designs and concepts for wheelchairs. e.g climbing wheelchairs. Now manufactureers have design standing wheelchairs which help with the chores and other enjyable activities.

The Revolutionary Design

Standing wheelchairs are different to other wheelchairs in that they give you the chance to take part in activites that you may have only done before you were in a wheelchair. Basic tasks like cooking, greeting people, talking to others at eye level, giving presentations and general reaching for thing high up.

Standing wheelchairs are designed to fold as you stand up therefore pressing your body agains the wheelchair. standard wheelchairs only allow tilting or reclining the wheelchair, where as the standing wheelchair gives full support even whn you become tired or weak.

The Manufacturer of the Standing Wheelchair

The Standing Company is the manufacturer of the standing wheelchair where you can find more answers to questons you may have before you think about buying the standing wheelchair.

Other Helpful Features

The standing wheelchair is a half-powered wheelchair, which means you operate by means of a joystick located in hands reach. The standing wheelchair is designed for rough terrain and indoor use too, and is excellcent in small corners.

This four wheel drive feature allows climbing wheelchairs to go on surfaces that ohter wheelchairs only dream off, surfaces like grass, gravel, or cement with equal ease; additionally slopes inclining or declining are no challenge for the climbing wheelchair.

wheelchairs

When a visitor enters the Leeds Art Gallery their artistic instincts are at once awakened. The wide varieties of artworks on display in the gallery are a visitor’s heaven. The Art Gallery itself is representative of true culture and heritage in Leeds and a must on a tourist’s schedule. A lover of classic art will find traditional prints, watercolor depictions, paintings and sculptures. A person who is more at home with the contemporary arts will find modern symbols of artistic sculptures - works made with plastic grapes and twin tubs. Some of the most outstanding works of British art outside London are available at Leeds Art Gallery.

The Leeds City Art Gallery is situated at the Headrow, or you can visit Leeds City Art Gallery online. The website provides a comprehensive landscape of the Art Gallery and its exhibits and facilities. There is also a map displayed for first time visitors so that they can find their favourite areas of interest quickly and easily.

The Leeds City Art Gallery is located in the city centre. It’s next to the Central Library and close to the Town Hall. It’s only five minutes walk from both the railway station and the nearest bus service. The Gallery opens every day at 10am and remains open till 5pm from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, the Gallery is only open in the afternoon until 5 and is closed on Bank Holidays.

The Gallery has been constructed in such a way that visitors with wheelchairs can access all parts of the ground floor gallery. All the displays are labelled at wheelchair height. A lift enables access for all to the first floor. Staff are always at hand to assist any visitors with special requirements. There are also disabled toilets on the ground floor just next to the lift. Those who are visually impaired will only be permitted to touch objects with the assistance of a staff member, provided on request. A few of the exhibited items also have sound, so an induction loop has been installed in the lecture theatre for the deaf or those who are hard of hearing.

A number of seats are spread over the Gallery for visitors feeling tired or wanting to discuss what they have seen. There is a Café Zone in the first Floor and also a Lower Sculpture Gallery. A bookstall is situated at the main entrance where large maps of the Gallery and large print labels are available. One basic shortfall in the facilities provided to the visitors is the absence of parking facilities. Only disabled badge holders can park free of charge on the street at the street parking meters. Or they may park their vehicles in the ‘pay and display’ spaces in the streets. Information relating to parking facilities and times are available at the Department of Highways and Transportation.

The Leeds Art Gallery hosts contemporary touring exhibitions and other programmes throughout the year. A recent exhibition, entitled ‘Paranoia’, was based on the current theme of uncertainty, unrest, unease and violence. The exhibition included video, photography, performances, installation, drawing and digital technology. Artists from all parts of the globe with very different ethnic and cultural backgrounds displayed their works, many from the United States, Europe and the Middle East. The exhibition was supported by the Art Council of England. Other such events that took place this year were ‘Ways of Seeing’ and ‘Rose and Heather’ by Emma Bolland.

There is a unique opportunity offered by the Leeds Art Gallery to the residents of Leeds. The Gallery allows the residents to borrow arts and pictures for three months on payment of a small fee. The residents have to provide authentic proof of their address. Items that are lent include oil paintings, original artists’ prints, drawings, including those rendered by the local artists. Reproduction of permanent works is also provided including the prints that are available for purchase at the local shop.

The City Art Gallery at Leeds has something to offer for most art lovers. It is not surprising therefore that it is visited by numerous foreign visitors all year round. Since it provides some unique facilities for Leeds residents, they love to visit the Gallery. It is certainly considered to be a prime spot not only in Leeds but in the entire United Kingdom.

Article by Susan Ashby of Leeds Singles. To read more articles like this or for dating in Leeds visit http://www.leeds-singles.co.uk

Kansieo.com