TechOWL frequently receives calls from wheelchair users looking for service and repairs. Getting service on wheelchair and other mobility devises can be challenging, with owners often waiting months for a medical equipment manufacturer or a vendor to respond and complete repairs.

Many people, including some bicycle and wheelchairs experts, don’t know that bicycles and wheelchairs share many of the same parts. TechOWL, a part of the Institute on Disabilities, is now working with local bike repair shops to offer training on how to service mobility devices, such as manual wheelchairs. It’s a perfect solution to a real issue facing wheelchair users and their families.  

TechOWL offers periodic wheelchair repair workshops, providing bike mechanics with hands-on learning opportunities. In addition, they will provide a bike shop with a variety of resources, including a manual wheelchair maintenance guide, for posting on their website.

Finally, TechOWL will add any participating bike shop to their list of referrals to make it easier for a wheelchair user to find a service location near them.

Some bike shops have already been doing these repairs and TechOWL encourages those shops to advertise it! Adding this information to a shop’s website and social media will encourage new customers.  

• Shops interested in more information or in scheduling a workshop are encouraged to complete this form: Bike & Auto Shop Wheelchair Repair.
• Shops that are already doing wheelchair repair and would like to be on the list of recommended shops can complete this form: Bike & Auto Shop Wheelchair Repair.
• Shops that would like more resources can access a list on TechOWL's website.

WPVI-TV, Philadelphia’s ABC affiliate, ran a story about the wheelchair repair – bike shop partnership.