Are you new to using a power wheelchair and finding the controls a bit overwhelming? Or perhaps you’ve been using one for years, and there are little things that bug you—but you’ve just learned to live with them? The good news is, depending on your chair, you might not have to!
Whether you're new to powered mobility or have years of experience, there are easy adjustments your supplier or manufacturer can make to help your chair work better for you. With a few simple tweaks, your wheelchair can become more intuitive, less mentally demanding, and better suited to your everyday routine. These tips are all about helping you feel more confident and in control, so you don’t have to waste unnecessary time and energy figuring out your chair or tolerating something you don’t have to!
Use your soft keys for quick access
Most Permobil power wheelchair controllers come with four blue buttons called “soft keys” located around the screen. These can be programmed to do things like move your seat into a memory position, such as an elevated position for reaching the groceries when shopping, or accessing a feature on your chair like turning on the headlights.
Adjust your position with the ICS Switch Box
If your chair has Power Seat Functions like tilt, recline, or leg elevation, the ICS Switch Box is a great tool to use. It lets you control these functions with simple buttons, so there’s no need to scroll through menus using your joystick.
These switch boxes may look different on different chairs from different manufacturers. They can also often be retrofitted to your current chair. If you think you would benefit from having one, reach out to your therapist and/or supplier to see if this is an available option.
Set actuator limits for safety and comfort
Actuator limits control how far your seat moves when using your Power Seat Functions such as tilt, recline, elevating legs or seat elevation. Setting these limits can help:
Use multiple drive profiles for different places
Did you know your chair can have different driving settings for different environments? Some examples include:
Switching between profiles is easy and helps your chair feel just right wherever you are. What do you think your profiles could look like? Where do you go and what would make your life easier?
Customise your screen
Your chairs display can be adjusted to suit your preferences:
These small tweaks can make a big difference in how confident you feel when using the controls.
Final tip: ask for help!
You don’t have to figure this out alone. Your therapist, dealer, or a Permobil team member can help you set up your chair to match your needs and lifestyle. The goal is to make your wheelchair work for you, not the other way around. What have you done to personalise your chair through programming? We would love to hear the difference it has made.
Please note that I have used Permobil power wheelchairs with Power Platform and R-Net Electronics as examples in this blog. If you are using a different chair with different electronics, reach out to your supplier and therapist to see what may be possible for you.
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Useful information, created with and for wheelchair users.
Disclaimer
The content in this blog is intended to be informative and empowering, sharing general insights and experiences around life with assistive technology. It reflects the views of the author and is not a substitute for personalised medical, clinical, or professional advice.
Everyone’s needs, goals, and health circumstances are unique. If you’re considering any changes to your equipment, routines, or support, we always recommend speaking with your occupational therapist, healthcare team, or another qualified professional.