By Robert Hull

For generations now people with disabilities, particularly those who can’t walk because of the disability have been taken advantage of the service wheel chair gives. There are lots of wheel chairs available in the market right now that are used for specific purposes.
Standing wheelchairs: This type of wheel chair is somewhat sophisticated in terms of its features to serve a disabled individual that uses it. Its main purpose is to serve the user’s standing posture. It has hydraulic pumps or sometimes assist powered by electricity to help its user sir and stand well.

Bariatric wheelchairs: This wheel chair is sturdy and stable, perfect for heavier people that weigh up to 250 lbs.

Pediatric wheelchairs: This is a special type of wheel chair for children, it is smaller than most wheel chairs.

Sport wheelchairs: This type of wheel chair is usually customized for a disabled person’s particular sport. This enables its user to participate effectively in sports activities that requires agility and speed.

Racing, basketball and even rugby has a sports wheelchair built to cater the physical activities of its user. Most of this type of wheel chair are foldable and are more stable, plus it has more angles on its wheel which allows its user to maneuver the chair easily.

Beach wheelchairs: This is another special type of wheel chair for people who love to go to the beach and feel the seawater on their feet. It is easy to maneuver on sand.

Mobility scooter: This type of scooter is highly sophisticated. It is a mechanical wheel chair that has a motor powered by electricity. It has joystick for steering. This available for everyone even without prescription.

There are two basic types of mobility scooter, the spacious model and the lighter model. Spacious model of this is more powerful in terms of pulling power. The Lighter models are foldable for convenience.

By George Dodge

If your mobility has become limited so that you need some help getting around, a portable mobility scooter may just be the ticket. Not an electric wheelchair, a mobility scooter is a comfortable chair with arms that sits on a platform, and underneath the platform are four small wheels with a very refined turning radius so that it’s very easy to get around in small places and turns that are tight.

You navigate the scooter, usually, by turning it on with a key; two handlebars are in front, similar to bike handlebars, and you simply turn the scooter left or right or go straight ahead to manage your direction. The scooter is usually powered by pressing handlebar “throttles” built into the handlebars in the front; you can stop or brake in this way as well. The scooter itself runs on batteries that are recharged often; usually, these batteries have a distance life of several miles before they need recharging.

Who are portable mobility scooters NOT suited for?

However, portable mobility scooters may not be for everyone. If you have trouble sitting up and don’t have a lot of upper body mobility, an electric wheelchair may be a better option. That’s because portable mobility scooters assume that you do have some upper body strength and can hold yourself upright quite easily. In addition, you will need some dexterity and some arm strength in order to manage operating the scooter.

When should you consider a portable mobility scooter?

If your mobility is still quite fine but you tire easily when you try to walk for long distances outside, this type of scooter is the perfect solution for those long trips outside when you want to take the grandkids to the zoo or something similar. In addition, if you don’t have a lot of walking ability but you simply need a little bit of extra “motorized help” to do the things you need to, this type of scooter may also work well.

How the motorized scooters work

In general, the company you choose the motorized scooter from will schedule an appointment to come out and see you so that you can be fit with the proper size. The technician who comes out to fit you will also teach you how to operate the scooter as part of the process.

Scooter lifts

Scooters come in a variety of weights, but in general, the most heavy-duty ones come apart in several pieces with the smallest piece weighing a good 40 to 50 pounds. Therefore, unless you have very good standing ability and significant upper body strength, chances are you’ll need a scooter lift to be able to get the scooter in and out of your car trunk. Alternatively, you can also have a scooter lift fitted onto a van so that the scooter itself does not need to be taken apart and can be put in the van intact.

How are portable mobility scooters paid for?

In most cases, if your physical condition warrants it, your insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, and/or a combination of these should cover the cost of portable mobility scooters and scooter lifts, with perhaps a small co-pay or something similar.

If you do not have insurance or another of these programs, such as Medicaid or Medicare, some charitable organizations may be able to help you afford a portable mobility scooter and lift if you need them.

by Randy McIntire

If you use an electric wheelchair to get around, you may want to consider a few high-tech upgrades to make your life easier. This article will cover how to install an environmental voice control system, using an accessible phone system with voice control, and how to mount a laptop computer to your power chair for use anywhere.

An environmental voice control system works like a universal remote, except they accept voice commands. This functionality is very convenient for anybody in a wheelchair, and especially important if you happen to be quadriplegic. Some of these devices are very expensive and some are relatively affordable. The VoiceIR Infrared Environmental Voice Control System is easy to use, highly versatile, and only $299. It works with any device that uses an infrared remote, such as your television, your DVD player, your stereo, etc. The device itself is pretty small – only slightly larger than a mouse of a computer. The trick is to mount this device onto your wheelchair where it can receive and carry out your voice commands. I would recommend having a pivoting shelf attached to one of your armrests. Make sure you can raise the shelf up so that you can get out of the wheelchair, but otherwise the device is essentially resting on a shelf above your lap.

Some environmental control systems come with optional hardware that allows the device to control your phone as well, but you could probably save money by getting an ordinary cell phone that has modern accessibility features. For a simple, elegant solution that allows you to use your phone as a voice-recognition tool that also gives you better computer access, try the Windows Mobile Advanced Voice Control Media Player Package. This allows you to use your phone entirely with voice commands, but it also allows your phone to act as an input device on your computer. Using a phone with the advanced media player installed, you can use your voice to listen to music, watch movies, or browse the internet on your laptop computer, which brings us to our final recommended upgrade.

Your laptop computer can be mounted to your wheelchair for greater accessibility and convenience. Again, the best way to accomplish this is to mount a pivoting shelf onto your wheelchair. You may also want to consider the battery life of the laptop and if it can be charged by the wheelchair’s battery. Even if you have very limited mobility in your hands, a computer on your power wheelchair will go a long way toward keeping you productive or keeping you entertained. Using one of the options outlined above to operate the computer using your voice alone, you will be able to use the computer effortlessly. In fact, you may not even need any additional hardware to make your computer completely voice-operated. Investigate the voice command software options currently available, such as Dragonsoft’s Naturally Speaking. You may need some assistance with the initial setup, but having your voice-commanded computer with you most of the time will make it worthwhile.

Several brands of electric wheelchairs are available both on and offline. With so many options to choose from, it is helpful to distinguish between the various features that each manufacturer and product offers. The following list of product and manufacturer reviews

Hoveround Electric Wheelchairs

Hoveround Corporation, founded in April 1992, is one of the leading Mobility device companies in the U.S. Hoveround designs, manufactures, sells, and services personal mobility vehicles like electric and manual wheelchairs, electric scooters and electric lifts. The company operates at a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, which has received the ISO 9001 certification for design, manufacturing procedures and distribution.

Hoveround supplies mobility devices directly to customers, insurers and other public and private entities. The company handles every aspect of the client’s mobility needs, right from evaluation to prescription and provider approval, delivery, training and service. The company employs therapists, nurses, rehab technology suppliers and assisting technology practitioners to cater to all needs of the customers. The most popular of Hoveround’s products are the highly maneuverable MP4 and the powerful Teknique XHD, which can carry up to 500 pounds.

Pride Electric Wheelchair

Pride Mobility is a leading provider of mobility equipment. Pride
Mobility is well known for its Pride and Jazzy lines of electric
wheelchairs, which are the most popular electric wheelchairs on the
market.

Pride Mobility Scooters include the Sundancer, Rally, Celebrity, Maxima, Victory and Legend models.

Pride Mobility Jazzy is the most popular brand of electric wheelchair from Pride Mobility. The Jazzy range is known for its patented mid-wheel drive system, exceptional maneuverability and trendy designs. Available in many different models, the Jazzy range promises maximum performance with standard active-track suspension and enables easy assembling and disassembling. Powered with motors, and having a speed range of up to 4 mph, the Jazzy electric wheelchairs offer exceptional maneuverability control. They are also extremely user-friendly and convenient, having been designed with a patented mid-wheel drive design.

Quantum Rehab is a line of customized power positioning systems and mobility products. It includes Power Recline, Power Elevating and Power Articulating Legrest options.

Lift Chairs are designed to fit into the home’s decor and are available in luxury, gentle and casual lift modes.

Personal Mobility Vehicles (PMVs) have great mileage (up to 25 miles before recharge) and can be used for long rides — even for golf.

The Hercules 3000 Lift is a power lift for wheelchairs with easy assembly and disassembly operations. The Hercules has a dynamic braking system and is provided with various docking devices that are suitable for any scooter or Jazzy.

Another interesting article from Richard Durfee

The trend of online mobility equipment shopping is being popular with every passing day. This is not just another fashion of shopping. There are several sound reasons behind the increasing popularity of online shopping of mobility devices. The most important benefits of buying mobility devices from online mobility equipments stores are described below.

Ease of Shopping

Like traditional shopping, you do not have to visit the stores physically. You can log on to the website of online mobility equipment manufacturer and sellers and have a complete view of their mobility devices product range. This is a more convenient way for you, as you can observe products from different manufacturers and choose the best from them. You can take views of the end user (disabled member of your family who is going to use mobility devices) before making final decision to purchase.

Cost Effective Shopping Option

Online shopping of any products is a cost effective shopping alternative. You get cheaper deals on most of the products. The reason is that you buy products directly from manufacturers, thus reducing the commissions taken by intermediaries (distributors, retailers, agents etc).

Assurance of Quality

When you purchase any mobility product from its original manufacturers, you are assured of genuineness of products. There is no chance of any duplicity because you are directly purchasing from the product manufacturer without involvement of any agent. You also get attractive benefits most of the time like free shipping of discounts if you purchase from online store.

After Sale Service

Purchasing any product directly from manufacturer has several advantages. Assurance of perfect after sale service is a most important benefit that you enjoy after buying any mobility device from manufacturer. You do not have to look for any technician in your neighborhood to fix the problems with your mobility equipments. Although, most of them are based on simple scientific principles, that can be handled by anyone with a little knowledge. But repairing of your mobility equipments through an expert gives you added advantage.

Customization Facility

Whenever you buy any product from manufacturer, you have facility of product customization most of the time. You can customize your orders according to your personal preferences and use.

Above described features are just glances of numerous benefits of buying mobility equipments from online stores dealing in such kind of devices. It’s a completely new and reliance experience of shopping.

By Brad Brubaker

People have been using personal mobility devices for many hundreds of years. Their history and benefit to society is well recorded and known. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters, two popular types of mobility devices, have been greatly improved upon over the years, but there are many other devices as well that have been used for thousands of years.

The first known image of a wheelchair was carved into a stone in the 6th century and King Philip II, who was the King of Spain during the 16th century, used a very elaborate wheelchair that had both armrests and leg rests. In the 18th century the first wheelchair similar in design to those available today was developed. It had large front wheels and a single wheel in back. By the 19th and 20th century wheelchairs were constructed of wood and wicker design. A US patent was issued for this design in 1894 and they were used by veterans of the Civil War and the First World War.

The first folding wheelchair was designed in 1932, by two engineers, one of whom was injured in a mining accident. In 1950 the first powered wheelchair was designed. It was designed by an inventor named George Klein and was intended to help veterans of World War II. Unlike the first war, many of the individuals who suffered spinal cord injuries had survived World War II, which created an influx of disabled veterans. During this time there were some advances in manual wheelchair technology, but many quadriplegic individuals were still unable to use manual wheelchairs without assistance. Klein, backed by the Canadian government and many other scientists, spearheaded the development of a motorized wheelchair. Many soldiers and veterans played a part in the devices creation and its design was billed as one of the first times that rehabilitation engineering had occurred.

After the invention of the motorized wheelchair, many more advancements were made. Manual wheelchairs became much lighter and maneuverable. Many athletes who were mobility challenged pushed for more athletic models and there were many advances in the technology that was behind the motorized wheelchair.

Mobility scooters were first introduced in the late 1960’s and by the early 1970’s they had become a very popular alternative to the powered wheelchair. Mobility scooters are more intended for people who are able to walk for short distance, but find it painful to do so over extended periods of time. A mobility scooter can not be pulled up to a table or desk as easily as a wheelchair.

Modern mobility devices are very advanced, are electric powered, and feature rechargeable batteries. The specific range of these devices can vary, but some are able to travel over 40 miles per charge. There have also been many advances in non-motorized devices. The walker is a non-motorized mobility device that has been used in some shape or form as long as the wheelchair. Modern walkers often feature front wheels and are called rolling walkers or rollators. These types of devices are great because you can push the walker instead of having to lift it. They feature hand brakes and also double as a chair.

As is usually the case, humans have greatly improved upon the designs of early mobility devices. The models and types available today are some of the most reliable and dependable available and will provide many years of dependable service.