wheelAIR Cooling Backrest Cushion For Wheelchair Users

Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2017/11/10 - Updated: 2025/02/25
Publication Type: Product Release, Update
Category Topic: Wheelchair Accessories - Academic Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: This product introduces the WheelAir cooling backrest cushion, an innovative solution designed to address the common issue of overheating among wheelchair users. Developed with input from Paralympic athletes and wheelchair manufacturers, the WheelAir utilizes inbuilt fan technology to dissipate excess heat and moisture, effectively reducing the user's core temperature and enhancing comfort. The cushion's unique blend of carefully selected foams not only provides cooling benefits but also offers additional support, making it a valuable accessory for individuals with disabilities and seniors who rely on wheelchairs. By maintaining optimal body temperature and reducing perspiration, the WheelAir contributes to improved well-being and daily comfort for its users - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

Be cool, stay cool, the cooling backrest cushion that is shaking up the mobility industry. The wheelAIR cooling backrest cushion was designed by CEO of Staels Design and MSc Graduate from the University of Glasgow, Corien Staels.

Main Content

Staels first became aware of the cooling problems experienced by wheelchair users whilst writing her undergraduate dissertation. She discovered that those with a spinal cord injury had to cool themselves in dramatic and unforgiving ways - having to strap ice packs to their bodies or spray themselves with water hoses post-exercise.

Since then, it became apparent to Staels that overheating was not a problem just for those with a spinal cord injury, but for the majority of those in wheelchairs.

This problem is little known by able bodied people. Staels commented:

"A big challenge for us has been raising awareness not just about the product but the fact that those in wheelchairs are struggling with overheating on a daily basis."

She continued:

"I was astounded that there had not been an unobtrusive solution before now, we're living in the 21st century!"

Through her determination, she founded Staels Design in 2016, and she has been working rigorously to bring users the solution to overheating: the wheelAIR.

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The patent pending wheelAIR has been carefully designed with the input of Paralympic athletes as well as wheelchair producers. Using inbuilt fan technology, it not only cools the back, but reduces the user's core temperature by taking away excess heat and moisture. This allows for instant comfort and better temperature control. The cushion also offers extra support through a unique blend of carefully selected foams.

It has been designed exclusively in Scotland with the input of the Glasgow-based design studio, Step 3D. The wheelAIR has sparked considerable interest among Paralympic athletes, Scottish business leaders and the wider mobility industry.

The wheelAIR has been particularly successful in Scottish Business innovation competitions. Most recently, Staels won £100K in Scottish Edge in June 2017 were the wheelAIR was famously acclaimed as "the Dyson of the mobility industry" before winning £31K in the Converge Challenge this October. Additionally, the company has recently secured £100K in a seed round of investment.

Staels commented:

"The wheelAIR journey has been a whirlwind, I have met so many inspirational people. I even spoke to Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon about wheelAIR after winning Converge Challenge! But what really inspires me is knowing that something I've created could make someone's life that bit better."

The company met their official brand ambassador, Michael Kerr in March at a disability trade show, Naidex. Also based in Glasgow, Kerr is the former Rugby Captain for Team GB Wheelchair Rugby Squad, has won two Olympic titles and is a European champion.

"When I first learnt about the benefits the wheelAIR could have for a huge number of chair users and especially for those with spinal cord injuries, I just had to get involved," says Kerr. "It was fantastic to see such a modern design, it is so important for disability products to be attractive as well as functional."

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Indeed, being 'cool' - in both senses of the word - has been a central aim for the company when bringing the wheelAIR to life. Staels, having a background in textiles from her undergraduate degree, has focused on fusing style with utility.

As Staels posits, the wheelAIR allows you to be cool, and stay cool.

The company has related plans for healthcare developments, but the wheelAIR remains the current focus.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

The development of the WheelAir highlights a significant advancement in assistive technology, addressing a previously overlooked challenge faced by wheelchair users. Its thoughtful design, combining functionality with modern aesthetics, sets a new standard for mobility aids. While assistive technologies often focus on mobility alone, addressing microenvironmental factors like seat climate represents a critical frontier in disability care.

Cooling technology, like what's used in something such as the wheelAIR cushion, is all about managing heat and keeping things comfortable by moving it away from where it's not wanted. In this case, it's pretty straightforward: the cushion has built-in fans - think small, quiet ones like you'd find in a laptop - that pull in cooler air and push out the warm, damp stuff that builds up when you're sitting for a long time. This airflow cuts down on sweat and that sticky, overheated feeling wheelchair users often deal with, especially in warm weather or stuffy rooms. The design's smart because it doesn't just cool for the sake of it; it regulates temperature and moisture based on what the body needs, using breathable materials to help the process along. It's not rocket science, but it's clever enough to make a real difference without being bulky or loud - just practical relief that works.

These solutions bridge the gap between medical necessity and quality of life, demonstrating how targeted engineering can transform routine comfort into a foundation for greater independence. Their adoption merits consideration in both personal care plans and institutional accessibility standards. As awareness grows about the impact of overheating on individuals with mobility impairments, innovations like the WheelAir play a crucial role in enhancing quality of life and promoting independence

Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.