Wheelchairs - hiring or buying a wheelchair

Find out where can you buy or hire a wheelchair in Northern Ireland.

Charities and other organisations

Temporary, holiday and short term loan wheelchairs are provided by the British Red Cross, Shopmobility and Disability Action.

Disability Action also provides advice in areas such as aids and equipment, holiday travel, housing issues, community care, disability legislation, mobility and motability.

• Disability Action (contacts section)
• British Red Cross website
• Shopmobility website

Employment - the Access to Work programme

Where wheelchairs are required for specific work purposes they may be funded through the Department of Employment and Learning Access to Work programme.

New or existing wheelchair users may be referred to this programme either from existing statutory providers or via the Access to work advisor in local Social Security / Jobs and Benefits offices.

• Access to Work - practical help at work

Commercial companies

There are many companies that hire and sell mobility products - often with someone coming to your home to demonstrate products to you. These can be found by searching online, in disability magazines or in the phonebook.  

Independent advice

If you decide to buy your own wheelchair, make sure you get some advice beforehand. Take your time to shop around and try different models - this way you can make sure that you geta wheelchair you feel comfortable with.

The Disabled Living Foundation has published some useful advice which you can download from its website.

• Disabled Living Foundation factsheets - including wheelchair advice

Proposals for the reform of the Northern Ireland Wheelchair Service is available to view on the Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety (DHSSPS) website.

• Proposals for the reform of the Northern Ireland Wheelchair Service (PDF 3 MB)
• Help with PDF files