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.
Mobility Scooter Safety 101
Mobility scooters are, for all intents and purposes, safe. After all, they are built to ensure the safety of individuals who have difficulty walking or who are unable to get around at all. When a person uses a mobility scooter on a regular basis, they learn how to operate it properly so they can stay as safe as possible. But what happens when you rent a mobility scooter in Orlando for your vacation? Can you simply sit down on it and feel secure enough to ride it throughout the city, theme parks, and any restaurants you might like to visit?
When you’re renting a mobility scooter, you may need a little extra information to ensure you are safe and secure when riding it. Here are a few tips you should consider before you begin your vacation.
Safety When You Rent a Mobility Scooter in Orlando
- Visibility- Pay close attention to your surroundings whenever you are driving a mobility scooter. These handicap-accessible chairs ride low to the ground, and while they help you get from point A to point B, cars may find them difficult to see. By paying attention when you’re in a parking lot, on the street, or among a crowd of people, you can be sure you are as safe as possible.
- Terrain- Choosing a mobility scooter rental isn’t as simple as just picking out one that you think looks nice. You need to consider how it will be used. Are you planning on only using it around the hotel or when you visit restaurants? If so, you would be safe using a three-wheel scooter. If, however, you plan on going down a sidewalk, visiting a theme park, or rolling over the occasional patch of grass, you’re going to need a four-wheel scooter. They are much safer to ride on rough terrain and have the right support to prevent you from tipping over.
- Body-Positioning- To stay as safe as possible, always make sure all of your hands, feet, and limbs are fully contained within the space of the mobility scooter. If you have a weakened leg or arm that could drop to the side, use accessories like leg and foot huggers and arm support to keep them in place. This ensures you don’t get hurt while enjoying your time in Orlando.
- Essential Accessories- Do you need to carry your cane, walker, or oxygen canister with you while you go from place to place? Don’t carry these items in your lap; you may accidentally knock over fragile items, hit pedestrians as they pass by, or even have trouble getting through narrow doorways. Instead, purchase or rent special mobility aids that can help you carry these items safely.
- The Ride- In most areas, people on mobility scooters are considered to be pedestrians. What this means is you should be on the sidewalk, not the road. Unless there’s no way around it, always keep your scooter away from traffic on the sidewalk.
When you rent a mobility scooter in Orlando, you may not know what you need to in order to remain safe. Consider these tips and rent with confidence.
Renting an Orlando Vacation Home? Here’s How to Ensure it’s Scooter-Friendly
So, it’s your annual trip to Orlando, and you can’t wait to begin enjoying the sun. You’ve arranged for your Orlando scooter rental already, but you’re not sure yet where you want to stay. A hotel is always an option, but it can become boring in a “been there, done that” kind of way. You’ve been contemplating the possibility of a vacation home, but you’re not sure a rental will offer the electric scooter-friendly atmosphere you need.
Luckily, Florida is a state that is happily caters to mobility-challenged and disabled travelers. It offer plenty of transportation options, scooter-friendly restaurants and theme parks, and even vacation homes that are easily accessible and ADA compliant. You just have to know how to find them.
Choosing an Electric-Scooter Friendly Vacation Home
Finding a vacation home that will provide you with all the amenities of living in a home while catering to your unique physical needs isn’t always easy. Here are a few tips to make it happen.
- Talk to a Realtor- While there are numerous online sites that can help you find vacation homes in Florida, it’s sometimes best to speak to actual person who is knowledgeable about the local real estate. Florida real estate agents can not only help you find a home that is close to shopping, theme parks, and restaurants, but they will be able to find a home that is accessible to your Orlando scooter rental. They’ll also be able to easily assess your wants and needs and find a home that gives you everything you want.
- Make Sure it’s ADA Compliant- ADA, or the Americans with Disability Act, compliant means that a home has several features that make it accessible to those with disabilities- especially those with electric scooters or wheel chairs. Homes that are ADA compliant will have accessible parking close to the home, larger entryways and doorways throughout the home so that your electric scooter can easily maneuver through it, and elevator or stair lifts if the home has a second floor. The home will also have amenities in the bathroom, kitchen, and living room, such as lower countertops and handle grips for transferring from the scooter to the toilet.
- Don’t be Fooled- If you don’t want to speak to a realtor and instead choose to search online for a home that will accommodate your Orlando scooter rental, don’t be fooled into thinking that every home that is listed as disabled-friendly is actually that. Some individuals who rent their homes out will state this simply because the home is one-story. This doesn’t mean it’s ADA compliant. Have a friend or family member stop by and evaluate the state of the home before you rent it if you aren’t able to do so.
Are you thinking of staying in a vacation home instead of a hotel when you visit Orlando? If you have to rely on an electric scooter to get around, make sure the home will have the right amenities and space to accommodate you. This will ensure you are able to truly enjoy your Orlando vacation.
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.
Need to Take a Car or Cab? Dissembling Your Scooter Easily so it Fits in the Trunk
There are many ways to get around Orlando, Florida when you’re on vacation when you’re traveling via scooter. Florida is very scooter-friendly and offers a number transportation options to choose from, like public busses with hydraulic lifts and the Amtrak. Theme parks like Disney World even accommodate your scooter rental in Florida, with options like their monorails, shuttle busses, and watercraft.
Sometimes, however, you may not want to take advantage of these options, especially if you aren’t travelling far from your hotel. You may instead want to take a car or a cab. While you may not be able to get into a car with your scooter, scooter rentals in Florida can easily be disassembled (and re-assembled) so they can fit into any trunk. This convenience allows you to take your mobility scooter with you wherever you might want to go.
Disassembling Your Scooter Rental in Florida
While it is easy to break down and store mobility scooters for transport in a car or cab, the specific way each brand or model is disassembled with vary. Because of this, you will want to take the time to speak to the individual delivering the rental and have them show you exactly how your scooter can be disassembled. This generally does not take long and it will save you time in the long run if you know what you’re doing. In most cases, as well, disassembly requires little to no tools.
Although each scooter is different, the majority of mobility scooters can be disassembled with the following steps.
- Turn the power off and remove the key from the mobility scooter. This is essential as the key may break when you are disassembling the scooter if it is not removed first.
- Lift the seat off of its post, and if possible, fold the seat down. Some scooters may require you to fold the seat down first before lifting it straight up and off.
- If the mobility scooter rental came with a basket, remove it.
- Take the battery pack off carefully by disconnecting the cables and lifting the battery carefully.
- If the scooter has a connector, generally located at the back of the scooter, use it. This will allow you to separate the body of the scooter into different sections.
- After you have completed everything, lower the tiller and make sure it has been locked into place. The tiller is the steering column at the front of the mobility scooter where the speed controls and forward/reverse directional switches are located.
It’s as simple as that! Remember, your mobility scooter may require more work or even less. However, the process is quite easy and fast, and it will allow you to place the scooter in a trunk or even in the seat of a car because it is separated into a few different pieces. When you need to ride your scooter rental in Florida again, just reverse the steps and put all the pieces back together, making sure they are securely in place.
Should You Rent a 3 Wheel or 4 Wheel Mobility Scooter?
If you have trouble getting around or are disabled because of an injury or illness, renting a mobility scooter when you’re planning an Orlando vacation is an excellent idea. However, there is a lot of thought that needs to go into choosing the best scooter for you. Mobility scooter rentals in Orlando are available in two different models: three wheel and four wheel. Depending on what you plan on doing on your vacation, where you plan on going, your height, and your weight, one may be more beneficial to you than the other.
Why? Some scooters are compact and designed for portability, travel, and indoor use. Others are better for rugged terrain and outdoor use. Let’s take a look at the differences between three and four wheel mobility scooter rentals in Orlando so you can determine which one is best for your personal mobility and which one matches your physical abilities.
Choosing Your Mobility Scooter
The Three Wheel Mobility Scooter
Mobility scooters with three wheels can provide you with all the necessary ‘go’ you need to explore Orlando and its many attractions. Whether you intend to visit Disney World, Sea World, or just explore the local museums, however, you need to make sure this scooter is right for you. Let’s take a look at the best ways to use this type of scooter.- Three wheel scooter work best for indoor use or when navigating over smooth surfaces. This means they can be used for outdoor use, but in order to remain safe and upright, you should not travel with them over grass or uneven pavement. Choosing this scooter means you’ll need to stick to smooth sidewalks, roads, and parking lots whenever you’re outside.
- This type of scooter is brilliant for narrow spaces as it has a sharper turning radius. If your hotel has limited space or you plan on visiting restaurants that may be crowded, a three wheel scooter can get you in and out without much a hassle.
- Are you a little taller than the average person? Three wheel scooters are perfect for tall individuals, as they offer more leg room.
Four Wheel Mobility Scooters
Ready to get out and explore Orlando with your mobility scooter? Let’s take a look at the benefits it can provide and see if it is the right rental option for you.- Four wheel mobility scooters offer better weight distribution. This is very beneficial if you are a little heavier, as the mobility scooter is much less likely to tip over if you have to travel over hilly or uneven ground.
- This type of scooter can go almost anywhere, even over rough terrain. This means it’s the perfect scooter to take to Disney World, Sea World, museums, restaurants, or even the golf course.
- For some individuals, four wheel scooters simply ‘feel’ safer because of their sturdier, wider, and broader wheelbase. While three wheel scooters are perfectly safe, your peace of mind is important. If you prefer the four wheel scooter because you think it feels safer and more sturdy, it is the best option for you.
Planning to Swim in Orlando? Benefits of Finding a Hotel With a Zero Entry Pool
If you’re planning a trip to Orlando and you’re disabled due to an injury or illness, you’ve no doubt already begun looking for everything you think you might need. Your must-have list will probably include finding a location to rent an Orlando mobility scooter, researching Orlando theme parks to determine their ability to provide you with the services you need when you visit, and finding a hotel that has all the right accommodations.
While the majority of hotels in Orlando are extremely accessible to those who rent Orlando mobility scooters, some may offer more accommodations that you had imagined. They might offer rooms that are scooter-friendly and include wall bars to help you stand and transfer. Some might offer outlets right next to the bed, so that when you transfer from your electric scooter to the bed at night, you can easily plug the scooter in so the battery will charge. A few, however, will offer something more: zero entry pools.
What is a Zero Entry Pool?
Swimming is great exercise for everyone, but even more so for those with disabilities. It creates a weightless feeling that lets those who have difficulty with mobility control their movements better. Obtaining this exercise is hard, however, without access to a zero entry pool.
A zero entry pool is a type of swimming pool that has a shallow, sloping entrance, rather than a ladder or steps. This type of ramp generally starts out with about half an inch of water and then gradually deepens as you get farther into the pool.
For guests with disabilities, this feature allows immediate access to a pool. You can either use a water-proof electric scooter to enter the pool, or simply transfer from your mobility scooter to a standard wheel chair.
While most hotels have lifts that can help disabled guests access the pool, zero entry pools offer many benefits that these lifts don’t.
Benefits of Zero Entry Pools
- Available All the Time- Pool lifts may be much more common in hotels, but it is also very common for them to break down. Because of this, access to the pool is not always available to those who have had to rent an Orlando mobility scooter or those with mobility problems. Zero entry pools guarantee access every single day- and they don’t have to be replaced or repaired because they don’t have mechanical parts that will break down.
- Independence- Unlike with pool lifts, individuals who need the assistance of an electric scooter or wheelchair don’t have to wait until hotel staff is available to enter the pool. This allows them to maintain their independence.
- Safety- Because zero entry pools begin with only half an inch of water, disabled individuals can judge for themselves how far they should and should not go. Because those that are disabled are more apt to know their limitations, this often reduces chances of injuries and accidents.
- Fun with Families- Hotels that don’t offer zero entry pools are often filled with families who stay behind in their room or re-plan their activities, simply because their disabled family member can’t join in the fun. This isn’t what a vacation is about. Zero entry pools allow everyone to join in and have the time of their lives.
Your Electric Scooter and Zero Entry Pools
If you have to rent an Orlando mobility scooter to help you get around, consider finding a hotel that will make your vacation easier and a lot more exciting. Look for accommodations that you don’t normally find, like specially designed rooms and zero entry pools.
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