Your OT will have suggestions. Potential chairs can often be demonstrated at home by a rep who works for a supplier. Some work for more than one supplier.

This checklist may be useful:

• What seating options and features are possible with this chair. For example, does it:
  • go up and down
  • ‘tilt-in-space’  – the seat-to-back angle remains the same while the whole seating system is tilted backwards
  • have leg rests?
• Will there be a spare cushion to allow for washing and drying when needed?
• How comfortable a ride does it give? What are the tyre options?
• What safety tests have been carried out? These should be both on the chair and, on the chair when travelling in a vehicle. If your child is going to sit in their wheelchair while travelling in a vehicle, the chair model will need to meet safety ‘crash tested’ standards.
• How long a life should it have? What capacity does it have to ‘grow’ with your child? For example, some have bases can take different sized seats.
• How fast will it go? In the UK, wheelchairs are put in a class depending on their speed. See safety rules for using your child’s wheelchair on the pavement and road >

This checklist may be useful:

• Will it be possible to use in your home and outside? What adaptations would you need to make?
• What about at nursery or school?
• How is it going to be transported? If your child is going to sit in their chair while travelling you will need a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) with compatible clamping and seatbelt systems. You can find links for information about WAVs in Tab 1 Car Travel on the Transport and Holidays page >. A suitable accessible taxi is another possible option for some journeys.
• If you have already got a WAV, will it fit? Is it compatible with your vehicle’s tracking system?

This checklist may be useful:

• You will not have to pay VAT, so make sure the price you are quoted excludes VAT
• What is included in the basic price and how much are the ‘extras’ you want?
• Ask for a written quote, detailing every item
• How long will it take between order and delivery time?
• What do you need to pay when?
• Will the chair be delivered, or will you have to collect it?
• When you get the chair, will it be ready assembled?
• Will an engineer or physio or OT be there to make sure it is all correctly and safely set up and fitted?

This checklist may be useful:

• Is there a warranty or guarantee? If so, what does it cover and for how long? Wheelchair warranties usually cover manufacturing faults but not general maintenance or ‘wear and tear’, such as with tyres.
• What happens if something needs fixing under warranty? Will engineers come to our home, or do we have to travel to them? Where would we have to go?
• If it needs major repairs, would they provide a temporary replacement?
• Often a warranty is only valid if the chair has been regularly serviced and properly maintained. What is the cost of a maintenance contract? Does it include an annual service?
• What is included – tyres, battery, electrics, controls etc.? The tyres and motor might need replacing at some point. Batteries last approximately 2 – 3 years. What would these cost to replace?
• When servicing  or maintenance is due, what happens, where?
• Are there any call out charges?
• How long does it take for:
  • problems to be assessed
  • parts to arrive
  • parts to be fitted?

In general, you do not need insurance for a powered wheelchair, but it is strongly recommended given the cost and the possibilities. This is not just for loss or damage, but also for any damage that could be caused to other people, or other people’s property.

Check if insurance is included and, if so, how much does it cost and what would it cover? Or does it need to be arranged separately?

If you already have a home contents insurance policy, you may find that you can add the chair. But it is not usually easy to add on a powered wheelchair.

If you plan to travel outside the UK with the chair, you may need additional insurance.

If you have decided to buy your child’s wheelchair and need to raise money to do this, it is important not to place your order or pay any deposit until all funding has been secured or pledged.

If you are going to apply for help you will need:

• a letter from your OT or physio confirming:
  • what type of chair will safely meet your child’s needs
  • why this one is a good choice
  • what difference it will make for them
• evidence that NHS wheelchair services have carried out an assessment. This needs to include a statement from NHS wheelchair services explaining:
  • if they have refused any funding, the reasons why
  • if they will provide some funding, how much this will be
• an up-to-date quote from the wheelchair provider with details of costs, including any ‘extras’, insurance costs and maintenance contracts.

If your child receives the mobility component of DLA and it is not being used for a Motability vehicle you could put it towards wheelchair maintenance costs). You will not need to pay VAT.

 Find out about our SMArt Moves financial grants for mobility equipment and wheelchairs >
 

 

The Support Team > at SMA UK can also suggest other charities that may provide a grant. 

For more information, see Tab 15 Funding For Equipment on the Equipment page >.

• Research Institute for Disabled Consumers (RiDC) / ‘Getting a Powered Wheelchair >
• NHS / Wheelchairs >
• Go Kids Go > – training and expert advice for wheelchair using children
• Whizz-Kidz > – fund a range of powered and manual wheelchairs for children under 18 years of age, if wheelchair services can’t provide the mobility equipment your child needs. They also provide information, advice, activity programmes and wheelchair skills training programmes, as well as this guide: Caring For Your Wheelchair: Wheelchairs and Equipment >