Get the Right Wheelchair Seating Setup

 

NEW MOBILITY HEALTH & WELLNESS May 2026 - View in browser IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KALOGON — SEATING THAT WORKS AS HARD AS YOU DO —

THIS MONTH: THE RIGHT SEATING SETUP CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE Unless you use a wheelchair full-time, it’s almost impossible to understand how make or break the right seating and positioning setup be can for your health, wellbeing and functionality. A bad seating system means constantly swimming upstream, battle balance, spasms, blood pressure and any number of complications. Dialing in a good setup can be life changing. It means that you have more time, energy, independence and choice in how you go about your day. Finding the right setup typically involves finding the right components – think cushion and backrest – and the right wheelchair materials and measurements to work for you. SPONSORED CONTENT Does your seating system really support you? Kalogon's reimbursable seating system combines Orbiter Med, a custom wheelchair cushion, with Bondar, a 3D-printed adjustable back support. Together, they support posture, stability, and skin integrity. For more info, call 321.465.4504. A COMPONENT IS MORE THAN AN ACCESSORY In 2018, NM Editor-in-Chief, Ian Ruder, wrote about his conversion to a Ride Seating System for his power wheelchair. That system, by providing a blend of pressure relief and postural support that was unlike anything he’d experienced before, changed his life. But he acknowledged that the system doesn’t work for everyone. I tried a custom Ride cushion around the same time and wound up with increased edema in my lower legs, back pain and a lot more spasms. “There is no simple “one-fits-all solution” when it comes to the complicated needs of our community,” Ruder wrote. “But there are more good options now than there ever have been.” Eight years later, Ruder found that his latest seating system was no longer working for his body and he tried a setup with a Ride cushion and Kalogon’s new, super-adjustable Bondar backrest. He found that it got him back into his happy place: the freedom and mobility needed to work from and drive his chair, combined with the pressure relief and postural support to keep his skin and bones healthy. To find the products that work best for you, it pays to know the right people and to have some patience. First is finding out what other gimps are using. Peer support groups, your local United Spinal Chapter and adaptive sports events are great places to find wheelchair users with different levels of function. Don’t be afraid to pick their brains on what they like and don’t about their chairs and components — people love talking about their gear. Then, you need to assemble the right team. Bob Vogel’s “How to Get the Best Wheelchair Setup for Your Lifestyle” goes into the types of questions you should ask to improve your wheelchair setup and also what to look for in a therapist, ATP and DME vendor. You also need to do your research. Even if you are going through a DME vendor, spend some time perusing online mobility stores like DMEHub or Living Spinal  to see what options are currently available and what their features. I wrote the Gear Guide “How to Choose the Best Wheelchair Cushion for You” to explain the various types of wheelchair cushions and what you need to consider ­— from stability, to postural support, pressure relief, durability and more. Once you find the right product, it can be hard to imagine life without it. Jarom Hlebasko spent years battling pressure sores until he found the SofTech cushion from Aquila Corporation, which allowed his skin to heal and stay healthy even as he resumed his active life, working full-time, and raising three daughters. When the company’s owners retired and shut down the business, Hlebasko and his brother decided to buy the company. “From the beginning, what was important to us was that someone would continue to make this product so others can find relief just like I did,” he says. MEASUREMENTS AND MATERIALS CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE My own life changing seating story came in a couple of acts. It started when I got my first everyday wheelchair with ergo seating. Ergo seating simply means that the frame rail of wheelchair extends horizontally for a few inches before angling up to create the seat dump. This creates a pocket that allows your pelvis to sit more naturally. As a C7 quad, having ergo seating was revelatory. For the first time I felt like I could really lean forward into my push like I do in a rugby wheelchair. For the first time I felt like I could sit without slouching and still stay upright. That seating system felt great, but the chair was made out of aluminum and rattled and wore out within a couple of years. It wasn’t until I got a titanium wheelchair with ergo seating in 2020 that I felt like I had something special. As I wrote in “My Quest to Find the Right Wheelchair” “It’s comfortable to sit in. I can push miles in the city without my shoulders or neck hurting, and the front casters float over grass and dirt when I’m out in the country. When I run errands, I can lift the frame into the car without my bicep feeling like it’s about to detach from my shoulder. Titanium and carbon fiber may seem like a luxury, but not when you’re trying to keep your body from imploding by the age of 40.” A big part of that story was how impossible it was to get insurance to pay for that chair. Things have only gotten worse since. That’s why United Spinal is fighting for a new bill that would require Medicare to create new codes that would allow suppliers to bill consumers for the cost of an upgrade to a titanium or carbon fiber wheelchair. Would it be better if insurance covered the true cost of ultralight wheelchairs? Absolutely. But this bill would at least let you get some titanium or carbon chairs without having to pay the full cost out of pocket. You should tell your Congress members to support it. If you can’t get a new wheelchair, check out “Getting a Good Setup with Bad Wheelchair Reimbursement” and “Dial in Your Seating Position without Changing Your Chair.”  Both go in depth on the tweaks — from front and rear seat height, to center of gravity and backrest angle — that can help you maximize the chair you do have. And when it comes to your seating setup, small changes can make a huge difference.

New Mobility publishes member content for United Spinal Association, whose mission is to improve quality of life of people with spinal cord injuries and all wheelchair users. It's free to join United Spinal. Join here.

Save the Date for the Life with Brain Injury Annual Conference!

 

Registration Opens June 10! Whether you’re a survivor, caregiver, family member, or professional, this event offers practical tools and shared inspiration to help navigate life after brain injury.  Friday, July 24 R2i2 - Richland Two Institute of Innovation 763 Fashion Dr, Columbia, SC Learn More Brain Injury Fundamentals Training An essential certificate program designed for direct care staff, family members, and individual caregivers. The training course covers essential topics such as cognition, medical complications, and medication safety and management. Registration deadline June 12 Register Now! Leadership Training Program Partners in Policymaking® is a leadership training program that teaches adults with disabilities and the parents of young children with disabilities how to advocate for themselves and others in all settings. Participants attend five two-day sessions, one weekend per month, and will receive training and resources about local, state, and national issues affecting people with disabilities.   Sessions begin in October. Apply Now! Many veterans living with BI may also experience PTSD, depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions. As part of BIASC’s commitment to creating a better future through brain injury prevention, research, education, and advocacy, Veteran Outreach Coordinator Mike Simmons will present to the SC Governor’s Challenge coalition on how BI and mental health conditions can intersect in veterans’ lives and why education and prevention matter. If you or someone you know is struggling, you can find support and resources through the National Center for PTSD. Living with brain injury (BI) doesn’t mean missing out on summer fun; it simply means planning ahead, pacing yourself, and paying attention to your body’s needs. With a few thoughtful adjustments, summer can still be a season filled with connection, relaxation, and enjoyable experiences. Learn tips for making the most of Summer.  Disability Rights SC needs you! Share your feedback to help shape their priorities and improve services for people with disabilities across South Carolina. Surveys are open through June 30. To request a paper copy or other accommodations, please contact info@disabilityrightssc.org Complete the English survey. Complete the Spanish survey.

BIASC Quick Links BI Survivor Resources Support Groups – Virtual and In-Person SC State Museum Accessibility Mornings 2026 Online BI Survivor Series Keep up with all the happenings on our calendar of events.

Community Sponsors enable BIASC to provide vital services and programs to individuals navigating life after brain injury. Find out how your organization can get involved.

Meet Dani Plan. Your Care Plan Made Easy - Register Now!

 

Hello Autism Society Community, We are pleased to announce a new partnership that is focused on providing our community with greater clarity, confidence, and peace of mind in managing the essential details of your loved one's care. The Autism Society of America is officially partnering with Dani Plan to offer their secure cloud-based software as a valuable resource to you. Dani Plan is designed to help you organize and consolidate important information, ensuring nothing gets lost in the shuffle of daily life.

What is Dani Plan and how will it help you?  Dani Plan creates one secure, accessible place for everything your loved one’s caregivers, doctors, and teachers need, whether it’s daily routines, medical history, or educational records.

With Dani Plan, you can:  Build a personalized care plan Upload and organize key documents Share plans securely with trusted individuals Set text reminders for caregivers Prepare for the unexpected with confidence Join us!  We’re excited to invite you to a live Zoom demo of the Dani Plan, a powerful, easy-to-use online tool designed to help families create a personalized life plan for their child or loved one with a disability. Choose from two dates and times:  Date: Tuesday, June 23 Time: 12:00 p.m. PT/3:00 p.m. ET Date: Thursday, June 25 Time: 5:30 p.m. CT/6:30 p.m. ET

Register for the Webinar

This is more than just a tool, it’s peace of mind, all in one place.   🔗 Learn more about Dani Plan and access Autism Society of America discounted pricing: https://autismsociety.org/daniplan/  Hope to see you there! Your Autism Society of America Team

Register Now for Brain Injury Fundamentals Class!

 

Training Opportunity: Brain Injury Fundamentals   Are you a caregiver of a person with a brain injury, direct support professional, or other professional and interested in receiving a Brain Injury Fundamentals Certificate?  Then this is the class for you! Brain Injury Fundamentals is an essential training and certificate program designed for direct care staff, family members, and individual caregivers. The training course covers essential topics such as cognition, medical complications, and medication safety and management. Certificate is good for 3-years. Target Audience: Caregivers, Direct Support Staff, and Professionals Fees: Based on SC residency unless otherwise specified. Cost includes workbook, training, and exam Instructors: Kay Brooks, MA, CBIST, Director, Head and Spinal Cord Injury Services, Thrive Upstate Meghan Trowbridge, LISW-AP, CBIST, C-ASWCM, Assistant Director, Center for Disability Resources, USC School of Medicine If you have questions, please contact Kristi Hartwell at BIASC at 803-731-9823 or coordinator@biaofsc.com. Registration Deadline is June 12, 2026. *Class is limited to 25 participants. Class Dates and Times: Tuesday, June 23: 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM (virtual) Tuesday, June 30: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM (in-person ONLY in Columbia) Lunch will be provided.  Address will be provided after registration is complete. Tuesday, July 14: 9:30AM - 1:30PM (virtual) Click Here to Register If you have any questions, please contact Kristi Hartwell at 803-731-9823 or coordinator@biaofsc.com. What? Brain Injury Fundamentals Class When? Tuesday, June 23:  9:30 AM - 1:30 PM Tuesday, June 30:  10:00 AM - 4:30 PM (in-person ONLY in Columbia) Lunch will be provided. Tuesday, July 14:    9:30 AM - 1:30 PM Where? June 23 and 30:  Online via Zoom Platform July 14:  In-person in Columbia (Address provided after registration is complete.) Fees? $130.00:  Includes a workbook, training, and exam Click Here to Register Ways to Donate to Our Organization: Network for Good