Monday, 20 June 2011

Disability Equipment

Disability equipment comes in all shapes and sizes and ranges from mobility aids such as wheelchairs and electric scooters, to large home equipment like stair lifts and hoists, to small gadgets to assist with specific disabilities.


Mobility aids include wheelchairs, power chairs, electric scooters and then smaller daily equipment such as walkers and walking canes.


Large items for the home include things like stair lifts, ceiling hoists, powered or manual height-adjustable beds and powered leg lifters for those who can’t get their legs into bed on their own.


Then there are all sorts of small gadgets designed to make life with a disability a little easier. These range from clamps to hold jars still while opening with one hand, to voice activated computers, from vibrating alarm clocks for the deaf to memory aids. Whatever your specific disability, there is some gadget made just for you.


Sometimes disability equipment is not the answer and your needs may be better met by changing the way you do things or getting some form of physical therapy to improve your abilities.


Disability equipment that is often overlooked is the personal alarm. It is very important for those with disabilities to be able to call for help in an emergency. Personal alarms take many forms but are designed to assist you in getting the help required with little effort.


Disability equipment comes in so many forms and can truly make a huge difference to disabled people wanting to maintain their independence.

Disabled People South Africa

DPSA was formed in 1984 by disabled people as a body to represent themselves. DPSA is a democratic cross-disability body made up of member organisations of disabled people in South Africa. DPSA is recognised as the National Assembly of disabled people by Disabled People International [DPI], which has observer status in the UN. 

Friday, 10 June 2011

Electric Moped

An electric moped, or electric scooter is a mobility aid used by disabled and the elderly, or anyone who has difficulty getting around by walking.


The advantages of an electric moped are that people can get around while sitting down comfortably. They are useful for people who cannot operate a manual wheelchair and for people with whole body conditions such as lung issues, obesity or arthritis, who are able to walk a few steps and sit upright without support. One of the main things that people like about the electric mopeds is that they don’t look like wheelchairs and have less of the negative stigma associated with them. They come in funky designs and colours and are more affordable than electric wheelchairs.


The limitations of an electric moped are that they still require some upper-body mobility and strength in order to operate the steering mechanism. They also require you to be able to sit in an upright position. They are longer than wheelchairs, which can make turning in tight spaces more difficult. Electric mopeds, as they are designed more for people who can still stand and take a few steps, are usually not designed for easy transfer from seat to bed.


Different makes and models of electric moped have different advantages and disadvantages, and it is best to do some research before deciding on the best option. It is also worth comparing prices as these may differ radically from one model to the next.

Thursday, 09 June 2011

Electric Scooters for Sale



There are so many electric scooters for sale these days that choosing the perfect scooter for your needs may seem like a daunting task. When looking at all the different makes and models of electric scooters for sale, here are some questions to ask yourself in order to make a good comparison:



  • Where can I use the scooter? Is it mostly for indoors, outdoors or both?
  • Will I be able to use the electric scooter on steep hills?
  • What speed can this scooter travel at and is this sufficient for my needs?
  • How long does the battery last?
  • Is the scooter easy to transport in a car?
  • Does the scooter have puncture proof tyres?
  • Does the scooter have good suspension for rough terrain and road use?
  • Does the scooter have the necessary requirements for road use such as lights and indicators?
  • What options of colour do I have on this model?



These are some of the questions that will help you to compare some of the different electric scooters for sale at the moment. There is a lot of choice and we suggest that you do a fair amount of research before deciding, as your scooter will be with you for a long time.


Afrimobility has most models of electric scooter for sale and we will be happy to assist you in finding the perfect one for you.

Sunday, 05 June 2011

News and Commentaries on Disability Issues

http://www.patriciaebauer.com/

4 Wheel Electric Scooter

Four wheel mobility scooters are by far the most common and recognizable electric scooters. They have the ability to go forwards, backwards, left and right, and although not as visually appealing as some of the other models, they have their own advantages.


The main advantage of the 4 wheel electric mobility scooter is its stability.  With two wheels at the back and two wheels in the front, the chance of toppling over is slim to none, and it is therefore the best choice for someone with balance issues. The stability also allows for higher speeds, and most 4 wheel mobility scooters can go up to about 15 km per hour.


These 4 wheel scooters can handle almost any terrain including gravel, wet grass and loose dirt, and some models can handle steep hills and pavement curbs. For outdoor use, the 4-wheeler is the 4x4 of scooters, giving those with mobility problems no excuse to not be adventurous. They have bigger tyres and higher ground clearance. They also tend to be more powerful and more durable than other electric scooters.


The benefits of the 4 wheel scooter are its power and speed, its stability, durability, and ability to drive on roads and rough terrain - best for people who work or play outdoors.


The disadvantages of the 4 wheel scooters include not being as maneuverable as the 3 wheel versions and being rather bulky for transport. Due to their wide turning radius, they are not well-suited to indoor use.

Wednesday, 01 June 2011

Disabled Movement Aids

Technological advances have been responsible for helping the elderly and disabled to live more independent fulfilling lives through the invention of various movement aids for the disabled.  Movement can be difficult for many people for a variety of reasons – old age, cerebral palsy, arthritis, osteoporosis, Parkinson’s disease. All of these and more can affect a person’s ability to get around and perform some of the daily tasks that most of us take for granted.


Disabled movement aids such as wheelchairs, electric scooters and even cars that have been adapted for use by disabled people have made life easier and more fulfilling for most elderly and disabled people.


Giving disabled people the chance to move around with ease and without discomfort can do a lot to increase self-esteem and confidence and can allow the elderly and disabled to socialize, to participate in sports and outdoor activities and to attend to their daily tasks with a measure of independence that should be the right of every person.


Disabled movement aids do not only improve the quality of life of these people, but they also allow for increased fitness and health. Family life has also improved with the introduction of foldable and lightweight scooters that allow the elderly and disabled to travel easily and participate in family activities.


Disabled movement aids are well worth their small investment as they improve the lives of disabled and elderly people and restore their confidence and enthusiasm for life.