Scooters provide power mobility, but have the distinct advantage of “not looking like a wheelchair.” For many people who have experienced difficulty with walking, a scooter is a great benefit to “restore” mobility. Scooters are most often 3-wheeled devices (4-wheeled scooters are also available), equipped with a tiller for steering and a seat mount on a platform, which serves as a footrest.

If you have even a limited ability to walk, there may be some good transportation options, such as using a lift into the trunk of car, when using a scooter. For children, who may be walking only limited distances, a scooter can provide “a cool” option to make longer distances to the cafeteria or recess much more feasible.

Functionally the three-wheel design creates a longer turning radius, when operating indoors as compared to a traditional wheelchair. However, most scooters come with a swivel seat, allowing easier transfers from sitting to the standing position. Outside, the scooter will not be as stable as a power chair, especially when turning the scooter at high speed. Exercise good judgment and slow down when turning or traveling on unfamiliar ground.

An important consideration when considering a scooter is how stable is your medical condition. Unlike many power chairs which can be adjusted and re-configured with changes in your physical status, scooters are not nearly as flexible. You will need to be able to use the tiller to steer (you can not change the drive controller). Changing seating options, if your sitting balance is poor, is much more limited in a scooter than compared to a power chair.