How Does Disability Equipment Work?

Disability equipment helps people whose movements may be restricted due to illness, injury or other impairments to enhance their quality of life and experience greater independence, freedom or comfort.

Disability aids range from basic walking aids to complex assistive technologies such as mobility scooters and stairlifts. These may be portable or installed permanently or temporarily in your home.

Your health care professional can recommend the best disability equipment for your individual needs, and our knowledgeable team at Motobility can help you to find the right products at the best prices.

How do I know what disability equipment I need?

Some disability equipment may be provided by your doctor or care centre, while other equipment may need to be bought from a store or may require a prescription.Your doctor or other care professional can advise you about the types of mobility aids and other assistive technologies that could help you.

If you are claiming the cost of disability equipment through the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIS) or other programs, this will usually involve an assessment of your needs and circumstances.

Mobility equipment

Mobility aids are designed to support walking or enable movement over longer distances. This type of disability equipment can help people to leave the home, run errands, attend work or education, get exercise and generally enjoy a more active, social and fulfilling lifestyle.

Mobility equipment includes:

• Walking aids such as crutches, canes and walking frames
• Manual and electric wheelchairs
• Electric mobility scooters

Walking aids

Rollators and walking aids are some of the simplest types of disability equipment, but they can play a major role in helping people to overcome their disabilities or aid recovery from injuries. They may be a temporary or long-term solution to improve balance, prevent falls or take the weight off one or both legs.

• Crutches can help you to stand upright and shift weight from the legs to the upper body.Underarm crutches are usually a short-term measure following injuries, while forearm crutches are more common for permanent use.

• Walking sticks or canes also shift weight to the upper body and can help with balance. Tripods and quad canes offer more stability than single-point canes.

• Walking frames or walkers are metal frames with legs that may be lifted with each step or rolled on wheels, in the case of wheeled walkers or rollators. Walkers may include a seat for resting, while knee walkers allow one knee to rest while walking on the stronger leg.

Wheelchairs

Manual or electric wheelchairs may be recommended if you are unable to walk or if you find walking difficult or painful, especially over longer distances or for longer periods than are recommended with walking aids.

• Manual wheelchairs need to be manually propelled by the user or pushed by someone else. They are cheaper and lighter than electric wheelchairs, but moving yourself willrequire some upper body strength and may be tiring over long periods.

• Electric wheelchairs cost more, but they can be more convenient, especially if you find operating a manual wheelchair difficult. They are generally more comfortable than mobility scooters, but more limited in range and capacity.

• Specialised wheelchairs include sport wheelchairs and standing wheelchairs for those who would rather stand than sit.

Mobility scooters

Electric mobility scooters come in a range of sizes and are more suitable for longer journeys than electric wheelchairs. Small and medium scooters can be used on wheelchair-accessible public transport, while large scooters can be a substitute for a car.

Electric scooters run off batteries and have simple controls, but you need to be able to sit upright, to get in and out of the scooter unsupported and to have good eyesight and reaction times to be eligible to ride.

• Travel scooters are lightweight and may be folded or pulled apart for ease of transport on planes and ships. Many have plane-safe lithium batteries.

• Portable scooters can be used indoors and in well-paved outdoor areas. They may be folded or pulled apart for ease of transport in car boots.

• Medium scooterscombine the manoeuvrability of smaller scooters with the comfort of larger scooters, as well as having many of their capabilities. They are mainly for outdoor use, but may be used in larger indoor areas, such as shopping malls.

• Large scooters or heavy-duty scootersserve as car replacements. They generally have large tyres and suspension to enable driving over uneven terrain and are suitable for taller or heavier users.

Home modifications

Disability equipment can also improve access, comfort and safety in your own house, so you can still make use of your home or vehicle and don't have to downsize. These solutions include:

• Lifts – stairlifts, platform lifts and vertical lifting platforms to make your home fully accessible inside and out. These lifts can support individuals or wheelchairs as needed and are available in straight or curved styles to suit your home.

• Hoists – a hoist takes care of lifting your mobility scooter or wheelchair into your vehicle so you don't have to struggle or ask for assistance. Motobility's range of vehicle hoists can lift up to 200kg.

• Adjustable beds – electric adjustable beds aren't just for hospitals. You can now enjoy the comfort and support of a custom lifestyle bed in your own home. As well as being easy to access, these beds may also help to relieve back pain and other problems, such as sleep apnoea.

• Electric chairs – electric lift and recline chairs can be therapeutic and comfortable and should be customised to your needs. Motobility provides custom-made chairs in the measurements and materials to suit you and your personality.

Disability equipment in Perth

At Motobility, we provide a wide range of mobility equipment and other disability aids from trusted manufacturers to suit different needs and price ranges. We also offer free home test drives and demonstrations so you can make sure you're making the right decision.

Call our team in Osborne Park on 08 9242 7333, send us an enquiry or browse our website categories to see our full product range and current offers.