How to Use a Wheelchair Backpack

According to the National Health Interview Survey on Disability, approximately 1.6 million individuals in the United States require the use of a wheelchair. This number does not include those individuals residing in health care institutions. Many items such as fixing a flat and lubrication are needed to maintain a wheelchair. Other items such as medication and personal items are also important. Using a wheelchair backpack is an easy way to stay organized and keep all of your important items close at hand.

Things You'll Need

• Backpack

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Purchase a backpack. Many websites such as "Mountainsmith" and "Dynamic-Living" offer several types of backpacks designed specifically for wheelchair use.

• 2

  Unzip the backpack and place your items in your backpack. Do not overfill the pack because this can result in zipper failure.

• 3

  Store medications in smaller pouches so that they are easy to access.

• 4

  Zip all of the compartments of the backpack.

• 5

  Secure the backpack on your wheelchair. Some backpacks slip over the handles of the wheelchair. Some brands have straps that wrap around the seat and then buckle.

• 6

  Check to make sure that no straps are dragging on the ground. Excess straps could become entangled in the spokes damaging the wheels or gears.

• 7

  Remove the backpack from the back of the chair and pull out items as needed for use.