Glossary of Manual Wheelchair Terms

See below some of the manual wheelchair terms you will find on our website.

Manual Wheelchair (MWC)	Wheelchair which relies on an occupant or an assistant for manual propulsion.	Related Blog Posts
Standard Manual Wheelchair (AKA standard upright manual wheelchair)	Manual wheelchair with no variable positioning options such as tilt or recline.
Scripted Manual Wheelchair	Individually scripted to suit the user’s specific positioning requirements.	Related Blog Post
Sport specific manual wheelchair	Manual wheelchair specifically designed for participation in a sport (e.g. racing, tennis, rugby, basketball).
Manual wheelchair with recline	Variable positioning manual wheelchair with a mechanism that allows the back support to pivot posteriorly, increasing the seat to back support angle.
Manual wheelchair with tilt	Variable positioning manual wheelchair with a mechanism that allows the seat to tilt posteriorly without changing the seat to back support angle.
Manual wheelchair with tilt and recline (AKA Tilt and Recline Wheelchairs)	Variable positioning manual wheelchair with a mechanism that allows the back support to pivot (increasing the seat to back support angle) and/or the seat to pivot (without a change in seat to back support angle).	Blog Related Post
Manual standing wheelchair	Variable positioning manual wheelchair capable of transporting an occupant in a seated position that also has the capability of lift function to raise and maintain the occupant in a standing position. Allows the user to be independent plus have conversations at eye level.
Paediatric, Bariatric, and other manual wheelchair types	Recommended reading: Wheelchair Type - What doe that mean?
Occupant (AKA User)	Person sitting in the wheelchair.
Assistant (AKA Attendant)	Person, other than the occupant, who maneuvers the wheelchair.
Three point belt	Occupant-restraint assembly comprised of both a pelvic belt and a shoulder belt that connect together near the hip of the occupant.
Shoulder belt	Portion of the occupant restraint intended to limit movement of the chest and head by application of restraint forces to the shoulders and chest.
Lap belt	Belt restraint assembly intended to limit movement of the pelvis.
Head Restraint	Device intended to limit rearward displacement of the wheelchair occupant’s head.
Wheelchair Frame	Tubular frame construction, including the seat rail, back posts, arm support assembly, foot support assembly and wheels.
Attendant Propelled Manual Wheelchair Frame	Wheelchair frame designed for attendant propulsion, with 4 small caster wheels and no large propulsion wheels.	Related Blog Post
Folding Frame	Frame with components under the seat which can be collapsed	Related Blog Post
Rigid Frame	Frame with components under the seat that are fixed and non-foldable. Note: Some rigid frame wheelchairs have fold-down back posts.	Related Blog Post
Push Handle	Component designed to be grasped by the hand of an assistant to propel or tip the wheelchair.
Anti-Tipper	Anti-tipper, aka anti-tip device or an anti-tip bar, is a device that prevents the wheelchair from falling (tipping) backwards.
Swing-away	Intended to be rotated inward and outward, moving into and out of position without the use of tools while remaining attached to the wheelchair or seating support system.

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