Do your knees beep?

Have you ever noticed the sounds your wheelchair makes? It’s almost as if your knees are beeping! As a wheelchair user, you quickly become aware that every button you press or movement you make emits some sort of noise. Whether you’re tilting your seat or adjusting it to a more comfortable position, the whole room is sure to know about it.

You cannot change your position quietly, nor can you drive your chair about silently either. If you use a powerchair, you can’t go anywhere privately unless entirely alone. No sneaking to the kitchen for a late night snack, nor surprising someone you haven’t seen for ages by suddenly appearing in the doorway, nor ‘walking’ through a restaurant without anyone noticing you heading for the loo. All these simple things can be taken for granted by most people.

While these sounds are great for safety purposes, they can be a bit of a nuisance in certain situations. Imagine being in an important meeting or attending a funeral and feeling like you can’t adjust your position without causing a distraction. It’s not ideal, and it’s something that should be addressed at the point of sale.

As a consumer in this industry, I believe that wheelchair manufacturers should make it an automatic option to have a noiseless wheelchair. This would allow users to move around freely without worrying about interrupting important events or causing a disturbance. It’s a small change that could make a big difference in the lives of wheelchair users.

It’s important to note that this issue isn’t just about convenience. It’s about accessibility and inclusion. Wheelchair users should be able to participate in all aspects of life without feeling like they’re a burden or causing a disturbance. A noiseless wheelchair would be a step towards creating a more inclusive society.

In conclusion, the sounds that wheelchairs make can be a hindrance in certain situations. It’s time for wheelchair manufacturers to make a change and offer noiseless options for their customers. This small change could have a big impact on the lives of wheelchair users and help create a more inclusive society.

So, do your knees beep each time you move?