Choosing the Right Mobility Equipments

Choosing the Right Mobility Equipments

Today, people with disabilities can find different types of mobility equipments in the market. Wheelchairs, stair lifts and motorized scooters all fall in the category and when you are deciding to buy one, care should be taken to find the right equipment that suits your requirements. Some of the key factors to be kept in mind are flexibility, comfort level, level of dependence/independence, ease of control, and the cost factor.

Wheelchairs are ideal for both indoor and outdoor mobility. The two available models are manual and motorized wheelchairs. Manual wheelchairs are cheaper and are suited for persons who are capable of self-propelling it themselves. Motorized wheelchairs on the other hand require no manpower as they operate with built-in motor, powered by either direct power supply or by battery. An additional accessory for the wheelchair is the portable ramp made of either steel or aluminium, which helps wheelchairs to negotiate steps and slopes easily.

The level of comfort of wheelchairs should be checked as a wrong alignment of chair or seating position can cause discomfort and increase your pain. Today wheelchair manufacturers also offer customization of wheelchairs, by which they design the chair according to the type of physical disability of the user.

A stair lift is ideal for carrying disabled people upstairs and downstairs. They usually have a seat for the rider and runs through a rail attached to the side of staircase. They are less expensive compared to residential elevators and platform lifts. While choosing a stair lift, the main factors to be considered are whether the width and height of seat is adjustable and suitable for the person using it. It should also bear the weight of the person using it. It is recommended to check power requirements, flexibility and smoothness of operation, safety measures and warranty coverage.

For today’s working people, motorized scooters are available with special integrated design customized for the disabled. These scooters have enhanced support and safety features, keeping the rider in mind. With all these mobility equipments easily available, the disabled are no longer restricted in their freedom of movement.

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Anthony Robbins is working as a design consultant at Day Elevator & Lift, a premier provider of stair lifts, ceiling lifts, elevators and wheelchair lifts for residential and commercial applications throughout the tri-state area, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut.