Personal Mobility Devices Find Application in Improving Quality Of Life for People with Activity or Mobility Restrictions
A personal mobility device is a relatively new category of motorized mobility vehicle, usually developed within the last decade. These small and lightweight devices are typically powered either by electricity or by gas. Although commonly regarded as recreational vehicles, these devices are frequently in fact used on a daily basis for a variety of purposes such as shopping, visiting amusement parks and other amusement facilities, going for a walk, visiting libraries, and other public buildings, and even on daily business trips.
Personal mobility devices such as powered wheelchairs, scooters, bicycles, and unicycles are used by people with activity or mobility restrictions. Personal mobility scooters or mopeds are restricted in their speed and can only travel at a very slow pace, sometimes even with a motorist. The earliest wheelchairs were designed for the mobility of the disabled or those who had been rendered invalid by accident or disease. From this point of view, the design of the modern wheelchair was evolved from the need to enable the disabled to be mobile. Wheelchairs have evolved greatly over the centuries, becoming more specialized and versatile as technology has developed and as society has changed.
Today, personal mobility devices such as wheelchairs and scooters are classified according to the overall design. Manual wheelchairs are typically lighter in weight and more compact than the powered wheelchairs. A powered wheelchair is designed to transfer the occupant from one location to another by using power obtained through batteries or gas engines. Manual wheelchairs are less costly compared to their powered counterparts.
Other personal mobility devices that are common are walkers and scooters. A walker is defined as a mobility aid that allows the person to stand on its own, without the assistance of another person or object. A scooter is defined as a mobility device equipped with four wheels that allow the rider to travel on pavement. Both walkers and scooters are available in different styles and designs.
Certain personal mobility devices may provide added features such as steering, back support, and arm support. In addition to the mobility devices listed above, there are also other devices that assist people with disabilities to function in everyday activities. Cribs and mobility chairs are mobility devices that allow the user to lie down flat on the ground and then raise and lower themselves. Scooters are also mobility devices that allow the user to move on two wheels.
While some personal mobility devices may be permanent fixtures in a person's home, there are also portable devices that can be brought along with the individual on trips or camping trips. These portable devices include walkers and canopies. They can be used to temporarily hide the disability of an individual so that he or she can go about daily functions. It is important that an individual should try to make the best use of personal mobility equipment, especially if they can afford them, because this will give them greater freedom to enjoy life to the fullest.