Scooter Assessment
Information about the assessment
Your assessment will normally be conducted by an Occupational Therapist (OT). If you have someone who you would like to accompany you, then please invite them to come along. On the day of the assessment, you will be greeted by the OT. You will then be taken into a private office to discuss your mobility requirements.
Assessing your needs
The Occupational Therapist (OT) will take the opportunity to have a chat with you regarding your medical condition / disability and how this may affect your functional ability with regards to the physical use of a powered wheelchair / mobility scooter, and loading such equipment into a vehicle, if appropriate.
Identifying areas of difficulty
To be able to use a powered wheelchair or mobility scooter safely, you require both physical and cognitive / mental skills. It may be appropriate for the Occupational Therapist to carry out some simple table-top cognitive tests with you in the office. This would identify any areas of difficulty that you may have when using a powered wheelchair or mobility scooter.
Equipment proficiency
Once the office based discussions have taken place, the OT will then take you outside to Herts Ability’s car park area. Initially, you will be asked to read a number plate from the recommended distance of 12.3 metres/40 ft, using glasses if necessary.
Then you will have the opportunity to sit on the powered wheelchair or mobility scooter and use it under the close supervision of the OT, within a relatively quiet area. The OT will demonstrate the different parts of the equipment and then give some instruction about how to use it.
Assessing control and observation
Once you reach a safe and confident level of competence, you will then be asked to complete an assessment route in the vicinity of Herts Ability, on local pavements. The OT will be assessing your physical control of the scooter and your cognitive abilities.
This will include your ability to increase/decrease speed, steer accurately, position safely on the pavement, decision making related to safe places to cross roads and general level of observation and awareness.
Our feedback
On return to the Mobility Centre, the OT will then give some feedback on your performance and an appropriate recommendation regarding the suitability of a powered wheelchair or mobility scooter.The OT will not sell you a scooter following the assessment.
How to book
Mobility Scooter Assessments, including Wheelchair Assessments
If you have a physical impairment and you want to try driving with a different method of vehicle control, you will be given the opportunity to drive vehicles fitted with adaptations.
Please use the form to complete your details and pay for your assessment. We will contact you shortly to confirm your booking with you.
To help you on the day, please complete the Pre-Assessment Questionnaire using the link below to give further details on your needs.
When completing the form, to increase the size of the form, on your keyboard hold CTRL and press the + key to zoom in on a Windows PC or hold CMD and press + key on a Mac.
