Wheelchairs and scooters may help you stay mobile at home or when you are out and about. There are so many options out there and it is important to be sitting comfortably and safely in the wheelchair or scooter as well as being able to move and manage these vehicles safely. During an appointment at the Independent Living Centre, our Therapists can take you out on local paths and pavements to see how you manage the controls. We can help you find the right model to enable you to get out and about safely and comfortably, and advise where you can purchase locally.
Manual wheelchairs may be self-propelling or wheeled by an attendant. You may be looking for a lightweight, folding wheelchair for outings; like the Karma Ergo Lite or you may need a more supportive wheelchair for long trips if you have difficulty sitting upright without support. We have an example of an attendant and a self-propelled wheelchair at the Independent Living Centre and can provide you information about other makes, models, manufacturers, and suppliers. You can also try the wheelchairs for size and ease of use. For more information, see our Before you Buy Guide to Wheelchairs.
Power packs can be added to an attendant-propelled wheelchair; to assist the person who is pushing the chair. Power packs attach to the wheelchair itself and are compatible with certain wheelchairs only. They can be removed when transporting the wheelchair in and out of a car. See our Before you Buy Guide to Power Packs.
Powered wheelchairs can be operated by the person sitting in the chair or by the person accompanying you. We can show you compact models that should fit easily around your home and more substantial wheelchairs that can be used on pavements and paths. We can explain the difference between front, rear, and mid-wheel drive wheelchairs and help you find the one that is right for you. We can also advise on your seating position in the wheelchair and you can have a go at operating them in and around the Independent Living Centre. See our Before you Buy Guide to Powered Wheelchair.
Scooters tend to be for outdoor use, as the turning circle of a scooter is usually too big for use inside a domestic environment. We have a couple of pavement scooters at the Independent Living Centre, which will give you a taste of scooter driving. You may want to try the larger model with its supportive seat and suspension and see how it manoeuvres on sloping pavements, unmade paths, grass and gravel in our local area. We also have a lighter weight lithium battery scooter which is easier to lift into a car but may be more unstable especially on uneven ground. For more information, see our Before you Buy Guide to Power Scooters and the Lithium Batteries Guide.
