Reflectors

One wheelchair accessory that is sometimes overlooked is a reflector for the wheels or rear end of the chair. They are, however, an important safety device that should be considered for any chair user who spends time outdoors at night.

How they work

Reflectors absorb any light that shines upon them, such as a lamp or headlight, and cast the light back out. This makes the wheelchair and its occupant easily visible to drivers. This is especially useful on dark roads; even though the street may be poorly lit, a reflector will respond to any oncoming headlight and emit a source of light.

Safety benefits

Reflectors are important pieces of safety equipment. If a wheelchair user were to be on a dark road, having a reflector on the chair will allow any oncoming motorist to see the chair from a distance. It may even be the difference between a driver noticing a person who is operating a wheelchair and not seeing them at all.

Studies have shown that the use of a reflector will allow a person to be seen up to three times farther away than they would otherwise be spotted. The sooner a driver, bike rider, or even a pedestrian notices an oncoming chair, the more time they will have to prepare and make sure both parties pass each other in a safe manner from a reasonable distance. When a wheelchair is not seen by a driver until the last moment, it can lead to a potentially dangerous situation.

Most wheelchairs are dark in color and will not be seen very easily at night. For this reason, it is essential that chair users take every precaution necessary to ensure that they will be noticed by others. A reflector is one of the best and most economical ways of doing this. They are a standalone device and do not require batteries, an electrical outlet, or any other power source, which makes them a more economical option than purchasing a lamp or headlight for the chair.

Connecting a reflector to a chair can be done very quickly. They are either permanently attached or put on specifically when a chair user will be going out in the dark. Wheelchair reflectors may be fastened or removed in under a minute, so they are a hassle-free safety device that no wheelchair user should be without.