Mobility scooter
A
mobility scooter is a
mobility aid similar to a
wheelchair but configured like a
motorscooter.
A mobility scooter has a seat over two rear
wheels, a flat area for the
feet, and
handlebars in front to turn one or two steerable wheels. The seat may swivel to allow access when the front is blocked by the handlebars. Assistive and small sit-down motor scooters provide important advantages to people with mobility problems throughout the world. Mobility scooters are usually
electric-powered. A
battery or two is stored onboard the scooter, and is charged via an onboard or separate
charger unit from standard
electric outlets.
Gasoline-powered scooters are also available, though they are rapidly being replaced by electric models.
A scooter is useful for persons without the
stamina or
arm/
shoulder flexibility necessary to use a manual wheelchair. Also, swivelling the seat of an electric scooter is generally easier than moving the foot supports on most conventional wheelchairs. A mobility scooter is very helpful for persons with systemic or whole-body disabling conditions (coronary or
lung issues, some forms of arthritis, etc.) who are still able to stand and walk a few steps, sit upright without
torso support, and control the steering tiller.
A main selling point of the electric scooter is that it does not look like a wheelchair, which many people see as a sign of
old age. However, as increasing numbers of elderly persons choose mobility scooters, the scooter is now developing its own reputation, at least among the able-bodied, as a
geriatric item. Mobility scooters are generally more affordable than powered wheelchairs, and often easier to obtain from
insurers or
health care agencies.
While a mobility scooter eliminates much of the manual
strength problems of an unpowered wheelchair, its tiller steering mechanism still requires upright
posture, shoulder and hand strength, and some upper-body mobility and strength. Other drawbacks of mobility scooters are their longer length, which limits their turning radius and ability to use some lifts or wheelchair-designed access technologies such as
bus lifts. Scooters also have fewer options for body support, such as head or leg rests. They are rarely designed for ease of
patient transfer from seat to bed. These limitations prevent some disabled individuals from using scooters.
Currently in the
United States,
Medicare will not approve an electric wheelchair for persons who do not need to use the chair "inside their own home", even if they have medical needs which make a scooter a poor or useless choice. For example, a person with severe
arthritis of both shoulders and
hands and a weak
heart should not use a scooter, as it will put strain on their hands and arms. However, because they can walk a few steps in their own home, such persons are not seen as candidates for a powered chair. Various
disability rights groups are campaigning for Medicare to change this policy.
Mobility scooters are available in a wide range of models, from tiny folding travel scooters to heavy-duty
bariatric models. Scooters are commonly available for loaner use at public facilities, such as
amusement parks or
grocery stores. Manufacturers and distributors of these mobility products for the disabled include:
Drive Medical,
Golden Technologies,
Invacare,
Merits,
Pride Mobility,
Rascal scooters and powerchairs,
Orbit Medical,
The Scooter Store and
Hoveround.
*
Fact sheet on mobility scooters from the
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
