Wheelchair Width
“A Guide of Specific Wheelchair Width Requirements”
The width of a doorway, let alone the width of a wheelchair, isn`t something non-handicap people usually think about. But for people in wheelchairs, they have to think about this every day, sometimes more than once. A normal doorway width is generally way too small for a wheelchair to pass through, and that`s not the only problem wheelchair users face when it comes to the width of their mobility chairs. We wrote this piece to answer frequently asked questions about this subject, and to bring attention to the fact that more buildings should have the necessary doorway width for wheelchair users.
What is the width of a wheelchair?
When you are on the hunt for a wheelchair, there are two basic specifications you should know. The first is how wide and deep you need the seat to be. You should have your seat be approximately 1 to 2 inches wider than the width of your hips. The second is the overall width. The overall width is extremely important, especially if you are planning to use your wheelchair inside. Although most standard-sized wheelchairs fit through regular doorways, there are cases of narrow doorways or extra wide wheelchairs that can pose a big problem for a wheelchair user. To answer the question shortly, manual wheelchair widths can range from 23 to 39 inches.
How wide is a wheelchair-accessible hallway?
All hallways are different. For a wheelchair user to fit comfortably through a hallway, a wheelchair-accessible hallway should have a width of more than 32 inches wide.
This includes doorways as well, as they are commonly measured at 23 to 27 inches, which is too small for a wheelchair user to pass through.
What is the average width of a wheelchair?
Most wheelchairs range from 21 to 30 inches in width. Something to keep in mind is the added chair cushion width, along with the need for arm room. It's actually pretty common now for wheelchairs to be up to 10 inches wider than they used to be since the cushions add more comfort for users. The smallest width of a wheelchair is around 24 inches these more-narrow wheelchairs are meant more for travel and less for everyday use.
What are the sizes of wheelchairs?
Just like how all hallways are differently sized, so are wheelchairs. There is an ample amount of wheelchairs around nowadays and they serve people with different purposes. The average size of a standard wheelchair is measured at 42 inches in length and 26 inches in width. Again, there are several wheelchairs across the board made up of different sizes and are meant for different uses.
We hope this guide provides you with helpful information when it comes to your wheelchair search. There are different types of wheelchairs, with different widths, lengths, and sizes. Keep in mind the wheelchair-accessible areas, such as doorways, hallways, and narrow spaces, when choosing the best wheelchair fit for you.
