In this video, we’ll show how to adjust and use parts of a wheelchair. You can follow these instructions for standard, poly-fly, and transport wheelchairs.
Not all wheelchairs work the same. Your wheelchair will come with instructions. If they’re different from the ones here, or if the person’s healthcare provider gives you different instructions, follow them instead.
Locking and unlocking the brakes
To lock the brakes, push down the lever in front of each wheel, until you feel it click into place.
To unlock the brakes, lift the lever until you hear the click release.
Taking off the leg rests
To take off a leg rest, find the lever on the inside of the leg rest and push it toward the front of the wheelchair.
Swing the leg rest as far as it will go, pull the lever all the way forward, then lift the leg rest straight up and off the hanger pins.
Repeat these steps with the other leg rest.
Attaching the leg rests
Before attaching a leg rest, make sure you’re attaching it to the correct side of the wheelchair. The foot plate should be pointing toward the inside of the chair.
To attach a leg rest, line up the 2 holes in the leg rest with the 2 hanger pins on the wheelchair, and hook the holes into the pins.
Swing the leg rest to the front of the wheelchair. Then, secure the lever until you feel it click into place.
Repeat these steps with the other leg rest.
Folding a wheelchair
First, get the wheelchair ready. Make sure it’s on a level surface and the brakes are locked so it doesn’t roll away as you fold it.
Take off the leg rests and move them out of the way, or lift the foot plates and swing the leg rests to the side.
If there’s a cushion on the seat, take it off and move it out of the way.
To fold a wheelchair, stand in front of it with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Keeping your back straight, bend at your hips and knees, and grab the seat frame with both hands.
Slowly pull up the seat, making sure your fingers aren’t pinched between the wheelchair frame and seat.
The wheelchair will fold in half and the wheels will move closer together. Make sure to lift with your legs and keep your back straight.
Push the arm rests toward each other to fully close the wheelchair.
Unfolding a wheelchair
Before unfolding a wheelchair, make sure it’s on a level surface and the brakes are locked so it doesn’t roll away as you unfold it.
To unfold a wheelchair, stand in front of it with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Grab the arm rests with both hands and pull them apart slightly.
Then, place your palms flat on each end of the seat frame, with your fingers pointing toward the back of the wheelchair. Using both hands, slowly push down and out.
The wheelchair will unfold, and the wheels will slide away from each other. Make sure to bend at your hips and knees, and keep your back straight.
Push the seat all the way down until the wheelchair is fully open and locks into place.
If the wheelchair has a cushion, put it back it on the seat.
Adjusting the leg rest length
It may be easier to take off the leg rest before you adjust it.
To adjust the leg rest length, unlatch the lever below the adjustment holes. Then, press the 2 buttons into the adjustment holes at the same time. This releases the bar, which you can slide up or down to adjust the length.
Set the leg rest to the length you need, making sure both buttons fully pop out of the adjustment holes. You’ll hear them click into place. Then, secure the lever back into place.
If you took off the leg rest, put it back on.
Repeat these steps with the other leg rest.
Taking off the arm rests
To take off an arm rest, find the levers or buttons at the front and back of the arm rest.
Press them in at the same time and pull the arm rest straight up and out. The front and back parts of the arm rest will come out of their posts.
Attaching the arm rests
To attach an arm rest, line up the front and back parts with their matching posts.
Lower them into the posts and push down on both ends until you feel the arm rest click into place.
Elevating and lowering the leg rests
To elevate a leg rest, push the lever on the leg rest away from the wheelchair. Lift the leg rest to the height you need, then move the lever back to its starting position.
To lower a leg rest, hold the leg rest so it doesn’t fall. Push the lever on the leg rest forward and gently lower the leg rest. Move the lever back to its starting position.
If you have any questions, contact the person’s healthcare provider.
You can also find more information online at msk.org/pe.
