Collapsible Folding Wheelchair
Collapsible folding wheelchairs are non-motorized mobility devices fitted with wheels for use as a means of transport by persons who are unable to walk or have difficulty walking. Collapsible folding wheelchairs are typically:
- Light
- Portable
- Collapsible
Collapsible, folding, and breakdown manual wheelchairs vary by model and manufacturer. Sometimes there will be instructions on or attached to the chair explaining how to properly collapse and stow the device. The following steps outline typical instructions for folding a manual wheelchair.
- Ensure the wheelchair brakes are locked
- Stand to one side of the wheelchair
- Grab the seat of the wheelchair placing one hand on the back portion of the seat and the other hand on the front portion of the seat
- Carefully lift up the seat - doing so should cause the wheelchair to fold together
Take special care when reassembling wheelchairs. Improper reassembly can result in injury to the owner and/or damage to the wheelchair:
- Make sure the wheelchair is on solid, even ground
- Stand in front of the wheelchair
- Grab the left and right seat rails and gently push them down; the wheelchair will unfold as you do this
- Continue the downward push until the wheelchair is fully opened
- Ensure that the wheelchair is completely unfolded and secure
- Lock the brakes before someone sits in the wheelchair
Recommend that the consumer bring written instructions, such as an index card, to assist airport personnel when loading and unloading an assistive device. Suggest that passengers include how to lock/unlock the wheels of their assistive device, which parts are foldable or collapsible, important information for seat-strapping, and any other helpful information.
Aircraft with more than 100 seats have a designated storage space for at least one manual wheelchair. This space is available on a first-come basis, as such, early boarding is recommended to secure this space.