Managing the ‘things’ of everyday life is complicated if a wheelchair, walker, crutches or the like are also part of life. Where do you put the stuff you want, or like, to have with you as you during the day? I’ve seen a lot of bags that are theoretically mobility equipment friendly; most are poor adaptations of ordinary bags and neither well designed nor well made.
These accessories, from Adaptable Designs, are different. They seem to have been made by people who really understand how they’ll be used. Here’s a sampling of what Adaptable has to offer.
The “Sidekick Wheelchair Pouch” is meant to attach just below the seat of a manual wheelchair, on the inside of a manual wheelchair armrest, or on the outside of a power chair armrest. One pocket is fleece lined for glasses; there’s an open bellows pocket for bulkier items, and a zippered pocket for smaller items or for privacy. The zipper has a ring pull for easier use.
Adaptable’s “Versa Crutch Pack” would make even a six-weeks’ tour with crutches much more pleasant. If you’ve ever tried to handle a purse, a cell phone or a planner while swinging through life on crutches, you’ll see the utility of this bag. According to the website, this pouch’s
roomy main zippered compartment fits wallet, checkbook, comb/brush, medicine, etc. — even an occasional sandwich.
This one’s for standard crutches, forearm crutches, some power chairs and some scooters. In a typical thoughtful Adaptive Designs touch, there’s a strap to stabilize the pouch, so it doesn’t develop a rhythm of its own while you’re moving.
If a backpack is overkill, and something like the Sidekick Pouch isn’t quite big enough, the “Just Right! Organizer” might be perfect. Like the bags above, it uses hook and loop straps to attach to
the inside armrest of manual wheelchairs; the inside or outside of scooter and power chair armrest; scooter tillers; [and] bedrails.
Whew. Here’s a partial description:
Fold-over zippered flap pocket is an ideal place for keeping checkbook, wallet and other valuables. Ring-type zipper pull is particularly helpful for those with limited hand dexterity. Keep the flap out to “hide” the contents of the outer bellowed pockets. Tuck the flap inside the main compartment if open access if preferred — the zippered pocket is still easily accessible.
There’s much more! Adaptable’s website is particularly user-friendly; you’ll find lots of information about which kind of equipment works best with which accessory, and specific size information, too.
Related:
DIY – Covers and Pouches for Mobility Aids
5 replies on “Accessory Bags for Wheelchairs, Walkers, Scooters and More”
It makes me smile to see products that benefit those who are disabled. I feel that not enough emphasis is placed on those that simply have different needs. Fortunately there are some savvy businesses out there that realize the purchasing power that the disabled community has. I like that Adaptable Designs has a lot of variety and good information in relation to your intended use. Keep up the good work!
Cameron
Oh, also. On the way-expensive side, but seems very possible to DIY, I went looking for a laptop bag that would go straight down the back of my wheelchair, behind the structural bar/handle that’s there (on an ultralightweight ti-lite or quickie). So, just a backpack laptop bag that’s as thin as possible. This design turned out to be best:
http://www.queenbee-creations.com/items/260
If you criss-cross the backpack straps then it is more stable and doesn’t flop around. An extra strap to go around the wheelchair back to anchor it would be even better.
A further improvement could be to sell wheelchair backs that have pouches built in — or that had easily modifiable to have interchangeable, different pouch configurations for laptops or other things.
That Queen Bee bag is interesting and quirky. The whole question of how to plan and use bags on wheelchairs, etc. is so individual. I like the “pouches built in” idea, but everyone has a different reach, etc., not to mention different idea about what to carry. That thin-as-possible, envelope-style would work for lots and lots of people, though, I’ll bet. Great tip! Thanks, Liz.
A company out of Seattle, Tom Bihn, makes a lot of great bags with a variety of pouch options. http://www.tombihn.com
Though the bags offered by Tom Bihn aren’t specifically designed for wheelchairs or other adaptive gear, they are full of useful features.
Tom Bihn’s website claims to offer “unusually attentive customer service”, so they might accommodate custom changes.
There’s a lot of information on the website, and many views of each item. And someone at the company has definitely got a sense of humor!
Thanks for the tip, Julie.