Portable scooters make life so much easier and smoother when you want to go out on shopping or for an outing with your family. Compared to their light-duty counterparts, scooters in this category are considered the big road-worthy type of scooter. Some of them have all-terrain tyres to go over poor, rough ground surface, making them ideal for getting around.

Check the speed ranges, which can be different for pavement use (often up to 4 mph) and for road usage (up to 8 mph). Ensure that the scooters have full lights and the necessary indicators so that they comply with road safety norms. For instance, front and rear bumpers ensure added safety.

These scooters can be fitted with a beacon for dual carriageway use. They can come with a variety of canopies to ensure all weather protection, or may have an integrated canopy like the Traveso. It gives you a waterproof setting for braving the elements with no fear of catching cold and getting wet.

The large mobility scooters, however, will not fit in a normal vehicle since they are heavy. Some people do use a trailer to transport them.

When selecting a power chair you should consider where you are primarily going to use it: indoor, outdoor or both?

Also, ask yourself the following two key questions so that the power chair you buy will exactly meet your mobility needs:

1.    How often will the chair be transported in a vehicle or used outdoors – will it be for short or long distance trips?
2.    What specific seating and other accessories are needed?

If the power chair is foldable, it becomes convenient to carry. Also, detachable batteries are easy to store. Lifts or ramps compatibility is another important factor. You should check parameters like its weight carrying capacity and various optional extras, such as attendant controls, elevating leg rests and kerb climbers.

Ensure that the power chair model you get is easy to operate. It should have a small turning circle and should be smooth to use. In other words, it should be responsive. On a full battery charge, these can easily move up to 20 miles, with a top speed of 4mph.

Nowadays, the chairs are not only functional but also attractive thanks to their fine finish.

In the following overview, you will get answers to your basic questions regarding portable or foldable electric scooters for your mobility related needs.

The electric scooters, as the name implies, are ready to get you on the move and help you to overcome your mobility problems. The travel scooters easily fit in most car boots. Importantly, they are easy to dismantle and reassemble hence they can easily be taken on holidays, for shopping and during small trips. They are ideal for cruises or airplanes.

Check there is ample space for leg room. A height adjustable, padded seat makes it comfortable from a user’s perspective. Adjustable footrests allow a rider the utmost comfort. Durability is also a factor which can be ensured through a strong body and puncture proof tyres.

Some users find the three wheel version easier to use, especially around their home, than a wheelchair. They are light and compact, but it is advised to check the weight factor for transportability. For instance, travel scooters may not be recommended for people over 300 pounds or those more than 5′ 10″ tall.

To sum up, mobility scooters: they are ultra lightweight, ultra portable and affordable, which make them popular. Mobility experts will help you get the perfect electric scooter for you.

When you are trying to get a grip on your new power chair, we suggest that you first do a small trial run in an open space – away from traffic and clear of hurried road users!

Here are a few more tips to ensure that you get a good grip on using your new power chair:

•    Make sure that the joy stick speed control is set to the minimum. Then turn the key to switch on. Accelerate and decelerate gently - practise this function well until you have the proper ‘feel’ of the joystick and have got used to it.
•    See to it that you find steering easy, smooth and coordinated. Remember, the joystick is a sensitive part and does not need strength or force to use it.
•    Generally, you need to be more careful when turning round corners. When trapped in a tight corner or space like when entering a doorway at an acute angle, stop the vehicle, then gently turn the joystick to the desired direction, gently re-applying the power. This will allow the power wheelchair to take a sharp turn. It is advised that the vehicle speed is minimised to aid smooth execution of such sharp moves.

A new power chair can take a little time to get used to, so try not to get too frustrated and play around with it a little first.

Whether because of an accident or injury or simply due to old age, many people are still keen to continue a normal life at their home and office. However, loss of mobility can make it a difficult proposition to climb up and down the stairs.

However, advanced mobility solutions have come to their aid via the invention of quality stairlifts. The benefits of stairlifts are multi-fold in terms of functionality, including a smooth start and stop action, easy to use joystick operation, fold-up seat and footrest, electronic or mechanical braking systems and a swivel seat.

Stairlifts are easy to install as well as smooth and safe to operate thanks to features like diagnostic digital display; lockable isolation switch; infra-red remote controls and safety cut-out sensors.

There are user-friendly stairlift versions powered by rechargeable batteries, to deliver an ultra-quiet and safe ride. What makes their use hassle free is the maintenance free DC power and the fact that they are almost silent in operation. Outdoor stairlift models are also available.

There are a number of useful accessories available to enhance and complement the use of a stairlift. These accessories are designed and manufactured that they will provide maximum comfort and convenience to the user.

For instance, the sit and stand frame allows a stairlift user to choose the option of either the normal seated position or standing on the footrest, holding on to a special folding steady, security bar. The idea is to provide greater stability while ascending or descending the stairs in either position.

It is ideal for those who may have difficulty in bending their knees, or in case multiple users with different needs will be using the stairlift. There is also the perch model stairlift suitable for specific users.

The sit and stand frames as well as the perch frames are both modified versions of the normal stair lift frame. A perch frame is quite similar to the sit and stand frame but for the fact that it is designed to allow usage of the stairlift in a perched position. This is again recommended for users who have problem bending at the knees.

There is a wide selection of power chairs available from most leading manufacturers.

Foldable or folding power chairs are great if the user needs to be on the move for the better part of the day or just wants their independence back.

As their name suggests, they can be conveniently folded for or easy transportation during travel. It can be compactly stored in a car, cruise, train or airplane. They are a bit heavier than the travel power chairs, but if you want to use the power chair most of the day, this model may be more comfortable and suitable for you.
The foldable or folding power chairs offer the same user-friendly features as those offered by any standard wheelchair but they come with added advantage of a power driven motor.

It folds down with ease, provides ample assistance climbing hills and ramps, and can be ‘unlocked’ so it can be pushed by someone too. When working out the final price of your chosen foldable power chair model, check the delivery charges and warranty terms. Ideally, speak to the mobility specialists who will help you to select the perfect chair for you.

Power chairs, also popularly known as electric wheelchairs, operate with just the gentle touch of a joystick located on the armrest.
Popular varieties of power chairs include travel, foldable, standard and heavy duty chairs. You should select a model according to your budget and needs. When you think of getting a power chair, you need to work out where you will mostly be using it – outdoor, indoor, or both? The following overview will give you a basic idea of the Travel Power Chairs.

The new Travel Power chairs models are compact, light in weight and easy to travel with. The front small wheels design is to enhance their manoeuvrability indoors, in narrow doorways, small apartments, and tight corners. Most power wheelchair models are usually controlled by the user’s hand with help of a small control Joystick.

Check the weight of the wheelchair you want to purchase. Then there is a large range of power chair accessories that you may need such as a spare battery, cushions, for example, for extra convenience.

Power wheelchairs are one of the most essential accessories to serve hospitals, clinics and broad transport needs of disabled people or people who struggle to walk.

The power wheelchair ensures mobility to an immobile person. It is one of the most essential equipment to help re-gain lost independence. It is available in various models with features suitable to the user’s needs.

There are some key aspects to consider when buying a powered wheelchair. Here are two of the most important aspects:

Design

Design is one of the most important aspects of the power wheelchair to get the flexibility and freedom of movement according to your needs. Ensure that it is designed in such a manner that it will be comfortable for the user. There are various power wheelchair types that comprise innovative design features.

Utility

A power wheelchair should be user-friendly. This is made possible through add-on elements like a tension and height adjustable, comfortable and removable backrest; adjustable (in both height and width), deep comfort arm pads, and half fold back (with steel back posts for extra strength).

Power wheelchairs are also available in various attractive colours and are not as bland as they used to be.

Manual wheelchairs can be divided into three main types. They are:

1. Self-propelled wheelchair
2. Attendant-propelled wheelchair
3. Wheelbase

Self-propelled type wheelchair
The self-propelled manual wheelchair carries rear wheels roughly 20 to 26 inches in diameter. They resemble bicycle wheels. The user can move the wheelchair pushing the hand rims, a round steel tube located on both sides of the wheels. With practice, a user learns how to control the speed. The ability to turn and balance the rear wheels also comes with practice.

Attendant-propelled type wheelchair
An attendant-propelled type of manual wheelchair is so designed that it can be pushed by an attendant with the handles behind it. The back wheels are rimless and are often smaller than the self-propelled type of manual wheelchair. This wheelchair is most often used to move patients in hospitals and at airports.

Wheelbase chairs
Wheelbase chairs are platforms, which have wheels with custom-made seating systems especially for patients with complex postures. This type of chair is constructed by taking a cast of a user’s best possible seated position and molding the shape from foam. Later, the seat is framed and is then attached to the wheelbase.