Sitting

Activity Chair

The ultimate in active seating for pediatric to adult clients

Improvements you asked for

Introducing the directional assist wheel, making navigation smoother with the addition of a fifth wheel. Retrofittable on all medium and large Rifton Activity Chairs, this innovation ensures seamless forward movement at all times without sacrificing maneuverability.

One chair, many lives

Therapists everywhere tell us the Activity Chair is the ideal adaptive seating for special needs, perfect for feeding, speech therapy, active learning and for clients with sensory processing challenges. Parents also see what this positioning chair can do for their child in the classroom and realize how much they need it at home.

The Rifton Activity Chair has revolutionized the concept of a special needs activity chair, offering active seating that adapts to people of all shapes and sizes, conditions, and unique needs.

Download the Activity Chair brochure.

Download the Activity Chair positioning checklist.

A boy sits in a Rifton Activity Chair and plays with a toy train with his therapist.

The Benefits of Adaptive Seating

Tool-free adjustments while the client is in the special needs activity chair.
Wide range of optional components available to create an adaptive chair, providing customized active seating for your client – whether in early intervention, school, home, rehab or day hab. From clients with autism to those with more involved physical challenges such as cerebral palsy, the Activity Chair offers unmatched flexibility.

Two Chair Base Options:

Hi/lo activity chair base for easy transfers, optimal positioning and instant access to any activity.
Standard base for regular classroom use and ideal for students with autism who benefit from calming, self-generated motion.

Use Cases for Special Needs Activity Chairs

The Rifton Activity Chair is designed to support children and adults with a wide range of needs across different environments.

As a special needs feeding chair, it offers positioning and support for safe and comfortable mealtimes.
In therapy settings, it functions as an adaptive seating solution for speech, occupational, and physical therapy.
In classrooms, the chair serves as a positioning chair that promotes active learning and participation.
At home, it provides families with a versatile adaptive chair for everyday routines and calming sensory support.

Features of the Adaptive Activity Chair

Use the slides below to learn more about the features of the Activity Chair, designed to support adaptive seating for special needs.

1 Tool-free adjustments
2 Adjust with client in the chair
3 Tilt-in-space
4 Spring option
5 Arm support options
6 Hi/lo base foot pump
7 Caster swivel lock
8 Choice of 6 pad colors
9 Standard base leg options
10 Universal device mount

A medium blue Rifton Activity Chair with a hi/lo base

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Components for Adaptive Seating

Use the slides below to learn more about the components of the Activity Chair.

Note: All components fit both hi/lo and standard bases, ensuring versatility across every adaptive seating setup.

3 headrest choices for the Rifton Activity Chair

Headrests

Laterals

Push handles

Tray & handhold

Chest strap

Butterfly harnesses

Thigh belt

Pelvic harness

Hip guides

Abductor

Adductors

Leg prompts

Footboard

Ankle straps

Sandals

Wedges

Lumbar and seat support kit

Backrest filler pad

Mini kit

Whitmyer adapter

Universal device mount

Med/large hi-lo direction assist retrofit kit

Sizes and Dimensions for Positioning Chairs

Use the dimensions chart below to help you make the right choice for your client.

Want to make sure it fits? Download a detailed chair sizing worksheet.

Key user dimensions (inches)

The user’s overall height is a general guide to help you select the appropriate positioning chair. Choose the model that allows for growth.

Rifton Activity Chair small standard base

R820 Small standard Activity Chair

User’s overall height :

32* – 48

*28 – 38 requires mini kit

Build Compare

R830 Small hi/lo Activity Chair

User’s overall height :

28* – 48

*28 – 32 requires mini kit

Build Compare

Rifton Activity Chair medium standard base

R840 Medium standard Activity Chair

User’s overall height :

40 – 56

Build Compare

R850 Medium hi/lo Activity Chair

User’s overall height :

40 – 56

Build Compare

Rifton Activity Chair large standard base

R860 Large standard Activity Chair

User’s overall height :

50 – 74

Build Compare

R870 Large hi/lo Activity Chair

User’s overall height :

50 – 74

Build Compare

Item Dimensions (inches)	R820 Small standard Activity Chair	R830 Small hi/lo Activity Chair	R840 Medium standard Activity Chair	R850 Medium hi/lo Activity Chair	R860 Large standard Activity Chair	R870 Large hi/lo Activity Chair
User’s overall height	*32 – 48** *28 – 38 requires mini kit	*28 – 48** *28 – 32 requires mini kit	40 – 56	40 – 56	50 – 74	50 – 74
Frame width	Short legs: 21 Long legs: 23 Short legs with casters: 22½ Long legs with casters: 23½	25	Short legs: 23¼ Long legs: 24¼ Short legs with casters: 24½ Long legs with casters: 25½	27½	Short legs: 26¼ Long legs: 26¼ Short legs with casters: 27¾ Long legs with casters: 27¾	29¾
Frame depth (front to back)	Short legs: 21½ – 23 Long legs: 26¼ – 27¾ Short legs with casters: 23½ – 25 Long legs with casters: 27 – 28½	31	Short legs: 22½ – 24½ Long legs: 26¾ – 28¼ Short legs with casters: 25 – 27 Long legs with casters: 26½ – 28¾	31	Short legs: 30½ – 32¾ Long legs: 32½ – 34½ Short legs with casters: 31 – 33 Long legs with casters: 34¾ – 35¼	36
Seat height above floor	Short legs: 9½ – 12½ Long legs: 18½ – 21½ Short legs with casters: 13½ – 16½ Long legs with casters: 18½ – 21½	10 – 25	Short legs: 12½ – 16½ Long legs: 19 – 23 Short legs with casters: 16 – 20 Long legs with casters: 19 – 23	12 – 23	Short legs: 16½ – 20½ Long legs: 20 – 24 Short legs with casters: 16½ – 20½ Long legs with casters: 20 – 24	16 – 24
Seat angle for tilt-in-space (degrees)	15° forward, 15° back	15° forward, 25° back	15° forward, 15° back	15° forward, 25° back	15° forward, 15° back	15° forward, 25° back
Backrest angle adjustment (degrees)	5° forward, 20° back	5° forward, 20° back	5° forward, 20° back	5° forward, 20° back	5° forward, 20° back	5° forward, 20° back
Footboard knee angle (degrees)	45° – 110°	45° – 110°	45° – 110°	45° – 110°	45° – 110°	45° – 110°
Seat height above footboard	7 – 12	7 – 12	7¾ – 15¼	7¾ – 15¼	11¼ – 21¼	11¼ – 21¼
Seat width with hip guides	7 – 9	7 – 9	8½ – 11½	8½ – 11½	11 – 14	11 – 14
Seat width without hip guides	12	12	14	14	17	17
Seat depth (1" increments)	8 – 12 7 – 11 with mini kit	8 – 12 7 – 11 with mini kit	11 – 16	11 – 16	15 – 20	15 – 20
Armrest height above seat	5 – 7½	5 – 7½	7 – 10½	7 – 10½	7 – 10½	7 – 10½
Trunk support width	5½ – 11½	5½ – 11½	6½ – 12	6½ – 12	9½ – 14	9½ – 14
Backrest height above seat	12½ – 15½	12½ – 15½	15½ – 19	15½ – 19	19 – 24	19 – 24
Headrest height above seat	14½ – 21	14½ – 21	17½ – 24½	17½ – 24½	19½ – 29½	19½ – 29½
Maximum working load (lb)	75	75	150	150	250	250