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Mobility Wheelchairs and Scooters

There is a great deal of difference as far as accessibility goes between manual wheelchairs, power chairs and mobility scooters. Whether you are off on your holidays and require short-term rental or perhaps searching for a long�term solution, the decision to which piece of equipment you choose will heavily depend on individual mobility needs and lifestyle.

Self-Propelled Wheelchairs: having two large wheels at the back enables the user to be independent and propel themselves using their hands. They may not have all the bells and whistles that come with electric mobility wheelchairs and scooters but, there�s no battery to die on you and being lightweight and compact is a real advantage when it comes to maneuvering. These chairs can be folded down and placed in a car boot with ease. On the downside, the tyres need to be inflated regularly and the use of upper body strength can make outings tiring.

Transit Wheelchairs: suited to people who cannot use a standard wheelchair and designed with the carer/ attendant in mind. Unlike other mobility wheelchairs and scooters, the user of a transit wheelchair is reliant on someone to push the chair with them in it. There are various types, from aluminum lightweight to heavy duty and bariatric. Perfect if space is an issue, with small rear wheels, the chair folds and can be stored away neatly.

Power Chairs: designed for full time wheelchair users who tend to be in their chairs all day, everyday. The power chair presents freedom and comfort with an easy to use power steering mechanism, plus greater flexibility in seating and height adjustments compared to standard mobility wheelchairs and scooters. Unlike a scooter, the power chair has a very small turning circle and is able to maneuver in small spaces such as bedrooms and bathrooms and can pull up to a table enabling the user to take part in meetings, meals or work at a desk. The power chair has some disadvantages too. Apart from being more expensive to rent or buy, they are heavy, with most weighing 100kgs plus, and should the battery die, it would require at least two strong people to push it. Steps and curbs can be an issue for both electric mobility wheelchairs and scooters and most will not manage a single step of more than 3 inches without a ramp. The other key difference is that a power chair is more difficult to dismantle for transport and where a standard wheelchair can be lifted into a car boot, a power chair cannot and requires an adapted vehicle or van/ SUV with an exterior lift.

Electric Scooters: fantastic for those who need to alleviate a slight mobility or weight problem and make short trips to local shops etc. Scooters are usually fitted with a shopping basket and are easy to operate with a simply on/off key. Scooters are too cumbersome for indoor use, so whilst you visit shops and restaurants the scooter will have to be parked outside. Some scooters fold or can be broken down into sections with the heaviest part weighing approximately 30-38lbs, allowing for the scooter to be put in the boot of a mid-size car. However, it is far simpler to lift into a Van or SUV.

The information contained in this article about mobility wheelchairs and scooters is based on the knowledge and experiences of members belonging to Disability Resource Exchange, a social network for people with disabilities.