Tips for Traveling Independently When You're Disabled
These days, more and more individuals with disabilities are deciding to travel alone, and the travel industry is paying attention, especially in Florida. Almost all hotels, restaurants, modes of transportation, and attractions in Orlando comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and make certain those who need the help of wheelchairs and scooters are able to get where they need to go and do what they need to do safely and easily.
In a perfect world, you wouldn't have to wonder if the particular hotel or rental car offers these accommodations, but it's important that you don't simply assume they do. By taking the following steps, you can ensure you can have the independent vacation you've always wanted.
Tips for Traveling to Florida Independently
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Always Call Ahead- While the ADA may make it a requirement for places in Florida to accommodate your disabilities, some of these locations will need to make arrangements beforehand. Call ahead of time, preferably when you're making the reservation and about 48 hours before you're expected to arrive, to confirm that the accommodations you need will be available.
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Be Specific- Keep in mind that not all service providers in Florida are going to know the lingo of traveling with a disability- or medical terms. Describe your condition in simple terms and explain it as thoroughly as possible so they know exactly what you'll need. Never downplay your issues.
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Your Doctor- Always inform your doctor about your trip, and be sure to get a note and a phone number from him or her before you leave. The note should include information about your disability or injury, any medications you are on, and special needs you may have.
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Choose a Scooter- While you may get around fine at home with the help of a regular wheelchair, when you're visiting Florida, consider an Orlando scooter rental. Scooters are powered, so you won't wear out as quickly, and you'll be able to enjoy the many adventures you plan to have. Scooters also allow you to remain completely independent. If you become tired halfway through a theme park, it will be easy for you to navigate your way out because you won't have to do any pushing.
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Don't Forget Transport- If you've made arrangements for your Orlando scooter rental to be delivered to your hotel, make sure you didn't forget about transport to and from the airport. If your disability or injury is severe enough that you cannot walk at all, you might need the help of your own wheelchair for transport or may need to rethink your arrangements for the Orlando scooter rental.
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Carry Medical Information- Medical information should always be on you at all times, and should be in a location where it will be easily seen by a medical professional who may have to help you. This information can be in the form of a necklace, bracelet, or even a wallet card.
Want to maintain your independence while traveling to Orlando, Florida? Always call ahead, use a scooter, and don't forget to think carefully about how you'll get from one place to another as soon as you plane lands.
Wheelchair vs Mobility Scooter: Which one is Better?
A few months ago, we discussed the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing a mobility scooter vs. a power wheelchair, or power chair. Both have their benefits, but for the majority of individuals visiting Florida on vacation, and Orlando scooter rental is the best option.
But what about regular wheelchairs? It makes sense that some might consider renting a regular wheelchair instead of a mobility scooter on their Orlando vacation. After all, if they plan on visiting Disney World, some of the rides will require them to transfer from their scooter to a wheelchair in order to get on the ride. Is this small time-saver really worth giving up a mobility scooter, though?
Disadvantages of Using a Wheelchair for Your Orlando Visit
When you're trying to determine what type of mobility device to use, consider what you'll be giving up when you choose a wheelchair.
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They Might not be as Comfortable- When you're on vacation, you want to spend every moment possible enjoying yourself. In Florida, this often means visiting theme parks, dining at restaurants, and seeing the sights. While some heavy duty manual wheelchairs can offer a comfortable place to sit, light duty wheelchairs often provide no comfort or support for the buttocks and back. Mobility scooters have cushioned seats and back supports that will offer more support and comfort.
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Weak Upper Body- Do you have limited upper body strength? If you're pushing a manual wheelchair throughout the Disney theme parks, you're likely going to become tired and sore before you even get halfway through the attractions. This means you'll either have to go back to the hotel and rest before you can have fun again, or give up your independence and allow someone to push you through the parks. An Orlando scooter rental will allow you to enjoy the entirety of your day without help and without hurting.
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Injury- If you're experiencing a temporary injury or illness that requires you to obtain mobility help while you're on vacation in Florida, there's a good chance you haven't spent much time in a wheelchair. As a result, your arms and shoulders may not be prepared for the manual labor they must undertake when moving you from place to place. This can result in injuries to your muscles and can ruin your vacation.
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Speed- Orlando scooter rentals can travel at speeds of about 5mph; a wheelchair can only travel as fast as you can push it. In some cases, using a wheelchair may make it difficult for you to keep up with your loved ones as they enjoy their Florida vacation.
Despite their disadvantages, manual wheelchairs do offer a variety of benefits. They promote physical fitness, increase maneuverability, are easy to operate, cost less, and are easy to take anywhere you need to go.
If you're trying to decide whether or not to rent a manual wheelchair or an Orlando scooter rental, consider the way it will be used. Do you want something with more support? Choose a scooter. Want a transportation option that maneuvers well? Choose a wheelchair. Select the best option for your particular needs.
Pros and Cons to Using a Sunshade With Your Scooter
There's a reason that Florida is called the sunshine state. The sun is shining down the majority of the time. It's for that reason that many people who decide to opt for a scooter rental in Orlando consider using a sunshade to protect themselves from the harsh UV rays while they are out and about enjoying the theme parks, shops, and restaurants. The question is: should you?
Pros and Cons of Sunshades
Pros
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When you leave the scooter parked to go into a restaurant to eat or to ride an attraction, sunshades protect the handles and seat of the scooter from taking on the full heat of the sun. This means that when you return to the mobility scooter, the seat and handles won't be so hot to the touch.
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A sunshade can protect you from the harsh rays of the sun and offer shade. When you're out and about on your vacation, you may not have to worry about getting sunburned.
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The sunshade will keep you cooler while you're using your scooter rental in Orlando. It will provide you with the necessary shade you need to enjoy your time outdoors.
Cons
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The sun continually moves throughout the day, and that means when you're riding your scooter rental in Orlando, the probability that the sunshade is able to protect you fully at all times is very low.
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Sunshades can get in the way and become a hindrance when you're enjoying your vacation. They may become caught on items sticking out from shelves in a shop or become caught on items that are hanging nearby. This not only leaves a trail of destruction behind you, but it may be a trail of destruction you have to pay for.
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Sunshades are often screwed directly to mobility scooters, and this may not be possible when you're renting. You could be asked to pay for the damage caused by the screws. In addition, if you need to transport the mobility scooter, you'll need to unscrew the sunshade and screw it back again each time. This can be tedious and may not be worth the effort.
So What Should you do?
While sunshades do offer a few benefits, their disadvantages outweigh their advantages. Instead of purchasing or renting a sunshade for your vacation in Florida, consider other options instead. Carry sunblock with you at all times to prevent sunburns, wear a heat to protect your face and keep your head cooler, and spend as much time as possible in the shade. In addition, if you're going to park your scooter and walk anywhere, be sure to park it in the shade so the seat and handles aren't as hot when you return. If this isn't possible, consider investing in a cover for the scooter to keep it out of the sun.
Looking for your next scooter rental in Orlando? Florida Mobility Rentals has exactly what you need for a relaxing and fun vacation. Check out our scooter rental options today and give us a call to see which one will be the best option for you.
Tips for Avoiding Falls in Your Vacation Home or Hotel
When you plan a trip to Orlando, Florida, you’re expecting the best of the best. You want magic, beauty, and excitement. You want to explore the various theme parks it offers, taste the best food, and enjoy luxury hotels and rental homes. The last thing you want is to become injured. Unfortunately, it happens, and when you have mobility problems, the likelihood of an injury increases dramatically.
So, what can you do about it?
Avoiding Falling on Your Vacation
- Scooter Rental in Orlando- Whether you’re traveling from your hotel room to the hotel swimming pool or you’re enjoying the magic of Disney, renting a scooter is essential to ensuring you’re as safe as possible. Being able to utilize the scooter will allow you to eliminate the need to walk any type of long distance, which greatly reduces the risk of falling or tripping, especially when your mobility is limited already.
- Equipped Hotel Rooms- When you plan your Orlando, Florida vacation, be careful how you make your hotel reservation. Be clear that you will be operating a mobility scooter and that your mobility is limited. Request a room that is on the ground floor, or one with disabled-access. As whether the room is equipped for individuals with limited mobility as well; the room may come with shower bars, hand rails, and lower countertops to accommodate for your needs.
- Equipped Vacation Homes- It’s much more difficult to find a vacation home with the scooter-friendly access, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Contact a realtor while you’re planning your trip. They will be able to help you find exactly what you need; this very helpful when you don’t live nearby and are unable to visit Orlando to find the perfect rental yourself.
- Go Clutter Free- Living out a suitcase isn’t very conducive to organization, but allowing the items in your hotel room to clutter up walkways can be dangerous. Even if you only have to walk short distances, like to the bathroom or to where your scooter rental is charging on the other side of the room, making sure path is free of any clutter will help you avoid falling.
- Rely on Help- There may be instances during your trip when you won’t be able to do what you want to do if you’re in a mobility scooter. For instance, some rides and attractions at the theme parks in Orlando will require you to transfer from your scooter to a wheelchair that will fit on the ride. Don’t be afraid to rely on a bit of help when you must make these changes. Being able to stabilize yourself on the arm of someone else can keep you from becoming injured and can keep the rest of your trip from being ruined. When you’re in your vacation home, think of things the same way. If you need help getting from your scooter to your bed at night, ask for help.
Want to make the most of your trip? If your mobility is limited, do everything you can to plan to avoid falling. Find the right hotel room or vacation home, get a scooter rental in Orlando, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
Is Your Scooter Battery Power Declining? What Could be the Problem
So, you’ve been planning your Florida vacation for months, and now that you’ve finally arrived in Orlando, you can wait to start enjoying yourself. Because of your inability to walk for long distances, you’ve had to invest in an Orlando scooter rental, but you’re sure that using a mobility scooter will only enhance your enjoyment of the sunny Florida days ahead. If you want your mobility scooter to last and perform at its best, though, you have to make sure you’re doing everything possible to keep it running. Fortunately, this generally only means keeping the battery charged. Doing so will ensure you’re ready to go whenever you want to and also ensures you’re never left stranded without a way to get back to your hotel.
What if, however, you do everything right, charge the battery each night, but something seems to be wrong with the power? What if the battery is running low? Is your vacation ruined?
What Cause Scooter Batteries to Run Low
In most circumstances, the battery on your Orlando scooter rental will be a very reliable source of power. It’s designed that way, so it can keep up with your need to be on-the-go during your vacation. Most batteries can handle travel anywhere from ten to fifteen miles on a single charge.
If you notice your scooter battery doesn’t seem to be holding up to its end of the deal anymore, and the distance you’re able to go each day is less and less, there could be a few reasons behind it.
- Heavy Weight- Did you make sure to check the weight capacity of the scooter you were renting before you rented it? If your weight exceeds the capacity, or you’ve been allowing others to ride the mobility scooter, you’re putting extra demand on the batteries. This can cause them to drain much more quickly.
- Extreme Cold or Heat- Do you leave the scooter sitting out in the hot sun or turn the air conditioning down extremely low in your vacation home because you aren’t used to the Florida heat? Extreme hot and cold fluctuations can make the battery on your Orlando scooter rental work harder, which can cause power to deplete faster.
- Frequent Climbs, Starts, and Stops- Have you been visiting locations that require you to stop and start frequently? Have you been testing your scooter’s ability to handle hills and inclines? Compared to traveling over flat surfaces at a steady pace, battery power depletes faster with frequent climbs, starts, and stops.
How to Maintain Your Mobility Scooter Battery Power
In addition to ensuring the battery on your Orlando scooter rental is charged each night for its recommended time (generally six to eight hours,) make sure to charge the battery as soon as any power loss is evident.
If that doesn’t fix the problem, contact Florida Mobility Rentals to speak with our qualified personnel about any changes you may need to make in your operations, to determine if the battery on your mobility scooter might need to be replaced, or to determine if you need a scooter with a higher weight capacity.
Power Chairs vs. Mobility Scooters: Which One is Best for You?
At first glance, a power chair and a mobility scooter rental might not look all that different. After all, they are both mobility aids that are electrically powered, right? While they may look similar to each other, each of these devices is unique and has its own set of characteristics that help set it apart.
So, which one is the one you want to rent when you vacation in Orlando?
That depends on the priorities you have, your particular physical needs, and where you will be vacationing. First, though, we need to take a few moments to consider the differences between the two.
Power Chairs
Power chairs, or power wheelchairs are often considered sturdier than mobility scooters because of the number of wheels they have and their wider, more stable base. They can come with up to six wheels, and because their structure is made to support these wheels, they are often very durable and hefty.
Who Benefits From Power Chairs?
Power chairs offer many of the same perks that mobility scooters do, but there’s one obvious advantage for individuals who have limited upper body movement: the controls. Scooters have handle bars that you must reach for and grab in order to steer the mobility aide. Power chairs, on the other hand, have controls that are located right on the arm of the chair. Individuals who can’t move their arms or their upper body well still have the ability to control the chair via a joystick without having to worry about their disability getting in the way.
Your Mobility Scooter Rental in Orlando
When it comes to travel, scooters are the way to go. While their base might not be as wide as a power chair, this allows them to be lightweight and easily transported. Most can be dissembled and placed in the trunk of a car. Mobility scooters are often much faster than power chairs, which makes them great for outdoor use. They allow their riders to cover large distances in much less time.
Another brilliant benefit of a mobility scooter is its outdoor accessibility. Power chairs may work well indoors, but four-wheel scooters can easily handle rough terrain, broken sidewalks, and even grass.
Who Benefits From Mobility Scooters?
If you’re heading to Orlando for fun in the sun, a mobility scooter is exactly what you need. These scooters are an excellent choice for individuals whose upper body and core are strong, but who need assistance getting around. And, because they are lightweight and portable, they can easily be transported from one side of the city to the other.
Both of these mobility options can be beneficial to individuals who need help getting around while they are in Florida. However, before you think about renting your next power chair or scooter, take a few moments to really consider your level of disability, your personal needs, and how you will be using the scooter while you’re on vacation. One choice may be better than the other, and may provide you with all the support you need to enjoy yourself while in Orlando.
Are You Vertically Challenged? Top Tips for Renting the Perfect Scooter
Renting a mobility scooter may seem easy enough, but if you’re under 5’2’’, many scooters may be a bit too big for you. If you’re planning a vacation in Orlando and need a mobility scooter to get a round, this can put quite a damper on your fun. If your feet can’t reach the ground or the controls are too far away, you will not only be subjected to an uncomfortable ride, but it can also be dangerous because you won’t have enough stability and control to ride the mobility scooter safely.
So how to you rent a scooter in Orlando that is the perfect size for you? Here are just a few tips to ensure you get the scooter you not only want, but need.
How to Rent a Scooter in Orlando When You’re Short
- Do Some Measuring- Measure, or ask someone else to help you measure, the length of your leg from the back of your knee to the floor. This is the height that you need your mobility scooter to be in order to ensure your feet can be placed flat on the floor when necessary. Not all scooters will show that they are this height, but don’t be fooled. Call and ask if the scooter you want to rent has a seat that can be lowered. Most can, which means you’ll easily be able to adjust the scooter’s height to fit your needs.
- Watch the Overall Length- When you’re vertically challenged, reaching a scooter rental’s controls can be difficult. Paying close attention to the specifications before you decide to rent can prevent you from renting a scooter that doesn’t fulfill your special height needs. Look for a scooter that has an overall length of 40” or less. This will allow you to reach the controls easily. It might also help if the scooter has handles that can tilt toward your body for easier reach.
- Look for Smaller Seats- If you also are smaller in width, choosing a scooter with smaller seats can help you feel more comfortable when driving and provide you with the support and reach you need. Some scooter seats can be as wide or long as 20”. For a vertically challenged smaller individual, this is much too large. Look instead for scooter seats that are 17” or less in width and length.
- Ground Clearance- It might seem as if choosing a mobility scooter with a short ground clearance is one of the best ways to ensure you have the right amount of height, but this is not necessarily the case. Ground clearance ensures your scooter can actively move about and won’t become hung up over uneven or rough terrain. Even when you’re short, you need to ensure your scooter has a ground clearance of at least 2.5” to 3”.
Looking to rent a scooter in Orlando for your vacation? If you’re vertically challenged, keep these helpful tips in mind so that you can find a scooter that works for your unique height and physical needs.
