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Mobility Solutions Offer Products That Dramatically Improve Life for Americans With Disabilities

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Mobility solutions offer products that dramatically improve life for Americans with disabilities, including more access, increased safety, and overall mental well-being.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against individuals with any condition or impairment, and it commands equal access to those with physical limitations. While this extends regulatory action toward businesses and public places, it doesn’t dictate what you should or shouldn’t have in your home. With so many mobility devices available, isn’t it time to make your sanctuary safer, convenient, and comfortable to live in?

Mobility solutions offer products that dramatically improve life for Americans with disabilities, including: 

  • Access.

One of the biggest barriers facing those with mobility issues is access; getting from point ‘A’ to point ‘B’ can be a real struggle when you are living with physical limitations or impairment. stairlifts are endorsed by the American Association for Retired Persons (AARP) as a means of opening-up areas of the home for individuals with these challenges, that is both practical and viable. These lifts are professionally-installed by experts who take the time to ensure their patrons can use the devices with ease and confidence, which makes for a simple and seamless transition. Contemporary lifts are designed to meld with the surroundings, rather than stick-out aesthetically in the home.

  • Safety.

Around 235,000 people sustain injuries in the bathroom of their home, and approximately 14% of these incidents warrant hospitalization. For seniors, this statistic is even more serious as adults over the age of 85 are more likely to break one or more bones because of a bathroom fall. For this reason, it makes sense to beef-up bathroom safety – particularly if you are living with a physical disability. Lifts, shower-buddies, and toilet rails are some ways to increase safety in the bathroom- the most frequented room in most homes- and to create peace of mind for seniors, their families, and caregivers.

  • Health and well-being. 

There is a strong correlation between having physical impairments or a disability and mental health and well-being; it is hypothesized that if an initial bout of depression is not treated, you are 50% more at risk for an recurrence. One of the contributing factors that can lead to chronic depression is a lack of socialization, which often results from a mobility issue or limitation. Treating depression in seniors typically requires diagnosis by a medical professional, though the signs of this debilitating condition are easy for caregivers to identify; some signs of depression include:

  • Changes in mood.
  • Lack of interest in things that were previously enjoyed.
  • Changes in appetite or sleep pattern.

Depression can be treated with therapy, medications, and lifestyle changes. Consider making a change with mobility equipment and devices to foster socialization and independence, which can go a long way toward battling a depressed mood.

Some ways that you may be able to improve life quality today include: 

  • Home assessment.

Assess your current needs and identify areas around your home that you have difficulty accessing; outline lifestyle changes that could make a difference in quality of life. Sometimes simple suggestions such as bath mats, grab-rails, shower seats, and walkers can make a significant difference, while for others, stair and vehicle lifts may be key. Consider scenarios that may call for assistance, such as showering or dressing, and target that with adaptive equipment and devices that will help overcome these hurdles.

  • Provider consultation.

Take time to talk with your provider about equipment that can help with access, safety, socialization, and autonomy. These practitioners may be able to issue prescriptions and recommendations that help get you the assistance and mobility devices that can make a difference in your life- or the life of someone you love. These medical providers may also be able to identify areas of need that can make a significant difference in overall quality of life.

  • Pacific Mobility.

Visit Pacific Mobility to see what mobility aids are available and that make the most sense for your living situation. Professional installation and personalized instruction can make adapting to this equipment simple and life-changing; don’t run the risk of injury by using re-purposed or used equipment bought from a third-party. Often times, safety guidelines change which can deem these devices unsafe if not purchased from an informed source, such as the mobility experts at Pacific Mobility.

Don’t let a physical impairment, disability, or mobility limitation impact your quality of life; consider how some innovative mobility aids can increase access, enhance safety, and facilitate social integration, which can lead to independence and overall well-being. If you or someone you love has a disability, adapt and adopt devices that will help overcome this hurdle and create a more satisfying living situation. Don’t let disabilities dictate where, when, and how you live your life- visit Pacific Mobility today!

July is Wheelchair Beautification Month

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July is ‘Wheelchair Beautification Month’, so celebrate! Decorate wheelchairs and walkers, add useful accents, and enhance safety for those with mobility issues.

 

Good deeds have a way of coming back two-fold, so do something positive for someone else. Improve and enhance the life of a person in a wheelchair during “Wheelchair Beautification Month” this July. New technology emerges daily and mobility devices reflect this, though lack in a little celebratory flair. Make the month special; plan on bringing a little pizzazz, adding utilitarian accents, or increasing safety for someone who relies on this type of equipment.

July is Wheelchair Beautification Month

It is believed that the founder of National Wheelchair Beautification Month was author and illustrator Horace Knowles. His empathetic aim was to brighten the day of not only the wheelchair-user, but everyone they encounter. It began with simply affixing fresh and artificial flowers to the wheelchairs of loved ones and community members, and has grown to include elaborate displays, clever decorations, and festive parades.

Celebrate in style

Use whimsy and creativity to come up with some light-hearted ideas for decorating your wheelchair or walker. It is best to use temporary materials that won’t damage the finish or compromise the function of the device, so skip the paint or other permanent applications. Instead, make a trip to a craft store or online retailer to find inexpensive baubles, trinkets, and decorations that could be implemented into Wheelchair Beautification Month activities.

It is okay to be a little silly; after all, you are celebrating Wheelchair Beautification Month!

  • Use fun, printed duct tape to wrap around hardware; a less permanent option is to use vinyl clings cut in strips to wrap and bring a bit of color to the device.
  • Coil pipe cleaners around the wheel-spokes for some flash, that is also easy to remove. Pipe cleaners won’t interfere with the wheel’s function.
  • Share some fresh flowers; save floral tubes to affix to the arm or backrest of a wheelchair. Use single stems or small bouquets for a celebratory look.
  • Plan a parade to celebrate the day after decorating chairs and walkers. Plan ahead on a theme for the event, and offer prizes for distinctive decorating ideas, which may inspire people to participate.

Create lasting accents.

Another approach for this special day is to give someone who uses a mobility device a little something that will make their life easier, such as a caddy or bag that secures to their chair. These are easy to make if you sew at all, and you can use this online caddy sewing tutorial; and make a walker bag, too. These can be used to tote small items from place-to-place, making it safer for those who rely on mobility devices and who need to keep their hands free. Depending on the style that you elect to make, these are perfect for carrying handbags, books, groceries, tools, or crafting items.

Aim to enhance safety.

In honor of Wheelchair Beautification Month, take advantage of wheelchair safety features such as lights and caddies to prevent the risk of fall. Use flags, flashers, or reflectors to increase visibility of the chair as well as bring a festive touch. Make this a time to assess the condition of the chair’s casters; these periodically need replacement. Using the chair in rainy or wet weather conditions hastens the need to replace casters. Some signs of deterioration include a loss of traction and a side-to-side wobble when moving at a good rate of speed. It is recommended that you have wheelchairs assessed and serviced at least once a year.

Mobility installations that won’t detract.

If you really want to make a difference during this month, invest in installations and mobility aids that will improve the quality of life in a significant way. These are custom-fitted to add to the home environment and to ensure safe utility for the individual with physical limitations. stairlifts, electric door openers, and shower aids are just a few of the products that can increase access and that are available for the home. Pacific Mobility offers creative solutions that are streamlined, and that will meld with the home surroundings. These are sleek and discreet devices intended to empower the user.

Consider how home installations and mobility aids can change the life of someone you care about, or perhaps, may improve your own access and convenience. Celebrate Wheelchair Beautification Day in style with these ideas, or come up with your own ways to decorate and embellish for the occasion. Get together with neighbors, friends, and loved ones to do something fresh and fun to pay tribute to those that rely on a wheelchair every day. Network with area facilities, residential settings, and healthcare providers to plan community events related to this commemorative month.

Pacific Mobility Celebrates Your Independence for Independence Day

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Pacific Mobility celebrates your independence for Independence Day- and all year- with devices for all areas of life, from help at home to improved mood and social engagement.

Mobility is reported to be the most common disability experienced among seniors in this country, which opens the door to a variety of solutions, mobility devices and remedies to increase and improve access. Of the 40% of Americans aged 65 and older with a disability, two-thirds of these instances are related to difficulty climbing and walking. This common problem can wreak havoc with those seniors that want to stay in their own home or live independently. In fact, only one-fourth of seniors between the ages of 65 and 74 with a disability are able to live independently; mobility solutions and medical devices can make a difference in this statistic. Equipment that can help older Americans stay in their home and preserve their independence is worth celebration.

Pacific Mobility celebrates your independence for Independence Day with solutions that make a difference in all areas of your life:

Handy help for the house and home.

For seniors with mobility issues that want to stay in their own home, mobility devices can make a life-changing difference. From stairlifts to power chairs, these devices make areas of the home accessible- both indoors and outdoors! Electric door openers and porch lifts can provide that so-important outdoor time that helps people recharge and restore; as for indoors, stairlifts make steps, inclines, and entire flights a breeze that doesn’t require a helping hand. These lifts can also provide family and loved ones with peace of mind, knowing that their loved one is safe from a nasty fall on steps in the home. Over 100,000 people take a fall down the stairs each year that requires a trip to the emergency room, and these accidents claim around 1,000 lives annually. Don’t let your senior be another statistic.

Methods to make caregiving easier.

Don’t risk an injury to either caregiver or client; invest in lifts that make daily living activities much easier on all involved. Ceiling lifts, slings and shower buddies can make it easier for your caregiver to do his or her job without assistance, while also keeping your loved one- the client- safe and secure during lifts and transports.

Mobility options, on-the-go.

Giving up driving can be a debilitating repercussion of mobility issues; vehicle lifts make it feasible to get out and around. If you are among those that need a chair or scooter when you get where you are going, it can seem challenging and somewhat discouraging to find ways to transport these necessities. Choose from over twenty different mobility products that allow you to raise and stow your powerchair, manual chair, or scooter and that are designed to fit your distinct needs.

Increased social engagement.

Mobility limitations have been shown to significantly decrease social interactions, which can have a negative impact on overall well-being. Over time, a physical impairment that affects mobility can reduce social interactions both inside and outside of the residence. This social withdrawal is unhealthy and difficult to combat, given that many affected are isolated individuals that don’t reach out for help. Having the freedom to move about and engage both in and out of the home can preserve socialization and contribute to holistic well-being.

Solutions that improve mood.

It has been found that limited mobility can cause depression in some populations of older Americans, which can drastically deteriorate quality of life. In a recent study of aging African-American participants, results showed that African-American women exhibiting major depressive disorder symptoms were three-times more likely to have mobility limitations. This study is a mere sub-section of the overall population of Americans over the age of 65 that experience physical impairment of some kind. It makes sense that as individuals lose their independence and freedom of mobility, they suffer some level of depression. Treating depression in older patients has its challenges, including fear of stigma, resistance to treatment, and difficulty tolerating mood regulating medications.

Pacific Mobility celebrates your independence.

Seniors attain a sense of dignity from preserving their autonomy and independence; Pacific Mobility recognizes that with devices and solutions to improve access, convenience, and safety. Give your senior the opportunity to maintain their self-respect by providing information about mobility options that can help them to make informed decisions about their care. Too many seniors are overlooked as decisions are made on their behalf, including those about medical and end-of-life care. Good practice standards dictate that seniors should be treated with dignity, keeping them in the know, which contributes to a positive environment. This positive environment is key in effectively treating older people and assisting them to thrive.

Help someone you love to achieve the independence that they deserve this Independence Day; look at mobility aids to expand access, make life simpler, and improve overall quality of life. Talk with an expert at Pacific Mobility to discover the various ways to increase convenience and caregiving today.

Pacific Mobility Has Innovative Solutions to Solve Your Mobility Challenges

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Meet access challenges and limitations head-on with life-changing equipment, lifts, and aids. Pacific Mobility has innovative solutions to solve your mobility challenges.

If you or someone you love is having difficulty accessing areas of the home, getting out of the tub, or leaving the house, consider implementing mobility devices to improve the overall quality of life. These devices are often sold independently, though many providers will write a prescription when it is warranted.

Lifts Are Designed To Provide Access to Any User

Lifts are designed to provide assistance in a variety of situations. They also reduce injury risks for the caregivers who work with these patients. These devices work particularly well for:

  • Those with heart or lung conditions.
  • People who cannot walk or have difficulty walking.
  • Individuals who have limited mobility when bending their knees.
  • Patients confined to their beds.
  • Anyone with balance issues, including those with obesity.

Know Before You Go

All lifts and mobility devices are not created equal. Do your homework and visit online rankings and reviews to unearth other buyers’ opinions and feedback of distinct equipment, brand, or retailer.

A few of the things to consider before shopping for a lift include:

  • Personal instruction and set-up.
  • Customer support and troubleshooting.
  • A warranty.
  • Remote controls
  • Swivel functionality.
  • Flexibility or ability to adjust settings.
  • stairlift safety features, such as sensors and seatbelts.

Consumers buying lifts will also have to make choices related to the platform of the lift and the specific environment of your home. Many times, the size and dimensions of the space you are installing the lift commands specifics and may limit your options. Pacific Mobility will do a complete evaluation of your environment to ensure proper fit and function.

Pacific Mobility Has Innovative Solutions to Solve Your Mobility Challenges:

Think a lift will make life easier? Which kind are you going to invest in? Visit reputable retailers that offer some support in terms of installation and standing behind the product that you purchase. After all, installing lifts are a big deal with the potential of changing lives for the better.

Some common lift options include:

  • stairlifts. It is estimated that 70% of accidental deaths among seniors is due to a fall. stairlifts prevent these injuries and give family and loved ones’ peace of mind. These allow the user to basically ‘park’ on a platform and control a mechanism that gently glides them to the next level of the home.
  • Shower buddy. These devices eliminate the need for risky transfers and heavy lifting. It reduces the risk and slip hazards of getting in and out of the shower or tub, without having to remodel or reconstruct your bathroom.
  • Ceiling lifts. A ceiling lift is used in conjunction with a lifting system and physical transport to lift and lower individuals who are bedridden. It makes it much safer for caregivers to assist with activities of daily living, while also preventing any risk of injury during this routine.
  • Porch lifts. Porch lifts are residential vertical platform lifts that extend and expand the living space accessible to those with mobility issues. These make it possible to traverse a deck, go up a level, or access the porch with ease.
  • Vehicle lifts. Never be without your wheelchair, scooter, or powerchair again! A vehicle lift brings new meaning to the word autonomy and allows many individuals to get out of the house more often.
  • Pool Lifts. Enjoy summer again with a pool lift to allow gentle access into and out of the pool. Various water exercises help improve mobility while being easy on the body, and you can get the whole family involved as well.

Ready For More Information, These Tips Will Help

  • Know your environment. Have some precise measurements on hand when pricing and browsing lifts. It doesn’t hurt to snap a few pictures to fully depict where you will be installing the lift, although a thorough evaluation of the site will be completed by Pacific Mobility.
  • Think about function. Will you need a way to move a wheelchair or walker up an incline? What is your ultimate goal for installing a lift? What is the patients range of mobility and what limitations will they have in operating the lift? Consider these and other situations before buying your lift.
  • Look around you. Think about things that could interfere and that may require attention before installing your lift. For example, you may need to pull out and replace carpeting that could potentially create a fall-risk near the platform of the lift.
  • Make sure it is installed professionally. It is simply not safe to allow someone who is not qualified to do so by The Accessibility Equipment Manufacturers Association (AEMA).

When you want to make your home accessible and life more convenient, consider mobility aids. Lifts can do a lot more than merely allow users to access upper levels and area of the home, these devices also preserve independence and dignity. Talk with the staff at Pacific Mobility about the right lifts for your home to improve the quality of life for someone you care about.

 

Exploring mobility solutions for those with physical disabilities

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Technology has become such a large part of the puzzle when it comes to modern mobility solutions for those with physical disabilities, including vehicle enhancements, stairlifts, patient lifts, ramps, and much more.

Technology has changed the way that those with limitations navigate the world around them, benefiting young and old alike with innovative mobility solutions to cope with physical disabilities. It is no longer necessary to feel restrained by the traditional options and products that you find in a local medical supply store. Pacific Mobility Center offers access options that can quite literally change your life. There are a world of devices and mobility solutions waiting for you!

Some mobility solutions to explore would include the following:

Stair-lifts

Preserve autonomy and maintain independence in your own home with a stair-lift. If your stairs are curved or straight, inside or out, there is a stair-lift that can be customized to your situation. If you rent or don’t live in your own home, did you know that you can rent stair-lifts to be installed at your residence? Falls are the number one cause of injury among seniors; don’t risk a debilitating accident going up and down stairs. Consider portable lifts for workplaces or offices, and when your living situation is not permanent.

Lift chairs

Don’t struggle or strain trying to get up and out of your seat; investment in a lift chair can prevent accidents and curb discomfort. Contemporary lift chairs don’t look like medical equipment; instead, they fit cohesively in with the rest of your furnishings stylishly. Today’s buyers aren’t restricted by size, color, or style of lift chairs available; there is a wide selection of affordably-priced chairs to choose from.

Ramps

If you utilize mobility devices regularly, you will want to make sure that you have safe, stable ramps to allow for optimal access around the home. Depending on the layout of your home, consider these types of ramps to solve any mobility issues in-or-out of your home or business:

  • Threshold ramps. Door-threshold ramps are usually found in aluminum or rubber, and can be easily installed to the doorways and thresholds for a gentle slope that is wheelchair-accessible.
  • Aluminum exterior ramps. Make sure to have aluminum railings for added security. These are a more permanent solution for when you are choosing to increase overall access to your home or business as many aluminum ramps last for a lifetime.
  • Folding ramps. Folding ramps offer a portable solution that can easily be used in multiple spots or on-the-go. These typically come in a two or three-fold style that is lightweight enough to be carried, stowed, and transported.

 Technology and mobility solutions

In today’s computer age, naturally mobility technology has evolved with some high-tech devices to aid consumers with physical limitations or disabilities. These fall into three distinct areas:

Transportation: High-tech developments in transportation includes vehicles, lifts, and wheelchairs that go above and beyond to help individuals get where they are going. Our service technicians can transform your vehicle to fit your mobility needs allowing safe and easy entrance and exit. The addition of a vehicle lift makes loading and unloading power scooters and wheelchairs easy for anyone.

Environmental control encompass everything from lights, thermostats, phones, doors, and any other element of the individual’s home or workspace. Some high-tech devices include voice-activated light dimmers, or controls on the consumer’s wheelchair that assist with opening doors on command.

Computer access devices encompass tools, devices, and programs that help users access and utilize computer technology at home or on-the-job.

Pool Lifts

Safely enjoy your leisure time and get in a little exercise with poolside lifts that gently allow you to enter and exit the pool. A through assessment of the pool environment allows Pacific Mobility Center to install a pool lift optimized just for you.

 

Today’s mobility solutions look promising, and offer many individuals with physical limitations an increase in access, opportunity, and autonomy. Contact Pacific Mobility Center to find mobility solutions that fit your needs, and talk with our experts to ascertain the best solutions for your individual needs. We’re here to help!

 

 

Technological Innovations in Accessibility

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A disability is any physical, sensory, or cognitive impairment that makes daily activities more difficult. Many people are born with a disability. Others acquire a disability later in life, from an accident, an illness, or the aging process. Many older individuals are diagnosed with chronic conditions that lead to functional or cognitive disabilities. Pacific Mobility Center specializes in products that give those with disabilities freedom and independence.

Over a billion people globally have some form of disability: 360 million people worldwide have moderate to profound hearing loss; 285 million people are visually impaired (39 million of whom are blind) and 75 million people need a wheelchair (of which, only 5-15 percent actually have access to one).

In recent decades, new and innovative technologies have helped lower the barriers that people with disabilities encounter in their daily lives, helping them with tasks that able-bodied people take more or less for granted, such as speaking, travelling, reading, and writing. These new technologies can be classified as assistive, adaptive, or accessible.

Assistive technology

Assistive technology is technology designed specifically to improve a disabled person’s functional capabilities, and includes a wide range of devices and services, including IT-enabled prosthetics and implants, custom computer interfaces, and accessible communication tools. Adaptive technology provides a mechanism that allows people with disabilities to use technology that would otherwise be inaccessible to them. Text-to-speech technology, for example, helps users with vision impairments to be able to “read” materials that are written. Computer screen readers and screen magnifiers help make computer output accessible for visually impaired users. Accessible technology helps remove barriers and make the world more accessible for people with disabilities. Speech recognition software, for example, has many uses such as dictation or automated telephone systems; however, the technology can also provide independence for quadriplegics by allowing them to control a computer with their voice. Consumer Electronics Shows annually feature these types of products.

While there remains a long way to go before all new technologies are made accessible to people with disabilities, in recent years there has been a great deal of progress. Mainstream technologies are becoming increasingly adaptable, and specialist technologies have, in many cases. become increasingly affordable.

Some examples of innovative new products that further help disabled people function more easily, while acquiring more independence, include:

• Dot: the world’s first Braille smartwatch
• Talkitt: an innovative application that translates unintelligible pronunciation into understandable speech
• The Sesame Phone: designed to be used with small head movements, tracked by its front-facing camera
• Uni: a tool that detects hand and finger gestures that it converts into text
• The Finger Reader: a wearable tool that can scan a text and give real-time audio feedback of the words it detects
• Be My Eyes: an application that connects blind people with volunteers from around the world who can help with simple tasks
• AXS map: an app that carries information about wheelchair-accessible ramps and restrooms in public places
• Transcence: an app that converts spoken words into text in real time for group messaging
• Liftware: a self-stabilizing handle on which one can attach an eating utensil like a fork or spoon for patients who suffer from Parkinson’s disease or other forms of motion disorders that causes hand tremors.

Some other new and/or emerging technologies include:

• Driverless cars
• Smart glasses that include facial recognition software which interprets facial expressions and tells the wearer how the person in front of them is feeling. This could be particularly useful for people Asperger’s Syndrome, for instance, who struggle to interpret facial expressions unassisted
• Prosthetic limbs that allow wearers to “feel” touched objects, while offering better control and efficiency
• All terrain wheelchairs, capable of scaling uneven surfaces
• Smart belts that can detect when a person is falling in order to deploy air cushions prior to impact
• Medical exoskeletons which can be used to assist people who have trouble walking
• Smart canes that can alert a user’s relative is there is any unusual use or movements of the cane

Contact Pacific Mobility Center with any questions about how you and/or your loved ones can benefit from the best accessibility products available today: Stairlifts, Residential Porch Lifts, Vehicle Lifts, Ceiling Lifts, Shower Buddy, Electric Door Opener, Ramps, Scooters, Lift Chairs, Wheel Chairs, Power Electric Wheel Chairs, Walkers, Turning Automotive Seats, Automotive Hand Controls, Pool Lifts and Other Aids to Daily Living.

Enjoying San Diego’s Regional Attractions in a Scooter or Powerchair

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**Click here for a coupon from Pacific Mobility Center!**

While Southern California’s climate makes year-round tourism easy for visitors, the challenges faced by those with disabilities are not often address in the travel forums. Whether you are a local of Los Angeles, Orange County, the Inland Empire, or even of San Diego, the list of wondrous places to visit in this city are well worth the time to figure out the accessibility options.

If you’ve already purchased your electric scooter, powerchair or other high-quality equipment at Pacific Mobility Center of San Marcos or Huntington Beach, then you are well on your way to the freedom to explore the sights!

We recommend these fabulous resources for visiting San Diego with disabled access and venue services from the San Diego Tourism Authority:

-No matter the time of year, a trip to San Diego isn’t complete without time spent at the beach. To make sure that all San Diego visitors can enjoy the sand and water, free beach wheelchairs are available at seven San Diego beaches for children and adults with special needs or disabilities.

-Looking for a special night out? San Diego abounds with award-winning theatre and concert options that meet the needs of theatre visitors with disabilities.

-Enjoy seeing the San Diego sights as narrated by a local expert. Accessible San Diego sightseeing tours happen on land or water, via a bus, boat or old-fashioned trolley.

–Disabled shopping enthusiasts can spend hours exploring San Diego’s unique retail districts, whether checking out the major outdoor malls or the unrivaled bargains at the region’s popular outlet centers.

-Don’t miss two of San Diego’s most popular annual events, the Del Mar Racing Season from mid-July through early September or the Comic-con Convention in July. Both provide special services for disabled visitors.

Additional SDTA Travel Tips
-Call ahead. Service providers are required to accommodate travelers with special needs, however, most need some time to make the necessary arrangements. Mention your needs at the time of reservation, and call the provider 24 to 48 hours before your arrival to confirm that proper accommodations have been made.

-Be specific and clear when describing a disability. Not all service providers know the “lingo” of accessible travel, or the medical terms for certain conditions. Give as many details as you can about what you can and can’t do, and don’t downplay the severity of the disability. The more information a service provider has, the better they will be able to accommodate you.

-Take a doctor’s note and phone number. Travel with a statement from your doctor, preferably on letterhead, covering your condition, medications, potential complications, special needs and other pertinent information. Be sure you have a number where your doctor (or another medical professional) can be reached in an emergency situation at any hour of the day.


Your enjoyment of travel in the San Diego region should not be limited by mobility challenges! Pacific Mobility Center is a family-owned company with extensive experience and modern options for independence. Contact me for your chance to tour this beautiful Southern California area!

Uber, Lyft and other Rideshare Companies Offering Transportation Services to People with Physical Challenges.

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Over the past several years, Transportation Networking Companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft have begun offering new transportation options. These companies use internet-based technology – typically a smart phone app – to link individuals who sell private transportation (drivers) with those who need transportation (customers). For many of these customers, especially the able-bodied, these services are both more convenient and less expensive.

However, for the more than 55 million Americans with disabilities, getting around has never been easy, and at the advent of the TNCs, there were few options for them to take advantage of. In fact, it has only been fairly recently that Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies have begun to offer transportation services to people with physical challenges – mostly because they have been sued by disability advocates in several states for violating the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and failing to make their cars handicapped accessible, or providing reasonable accommodations for riders who use wheelchairs or are accompanied by service animals.

As a result of these law suits, and in some cases, new legislation that regulate ride-hailing firms, most TNCs have been working to make their companies more accessible. For example, Uber now offers uberASSIST in many cities, an uberX option that is designed to provide additional assistance to seniors and people with disabilities. Driver-partners are specifically trained by a third party organization to assist riders into vehicles and can accommodate folding wheelchairs, walkers, and scooters. Passengers requiring such services simply enter the code “assist” into the promotions section of the app. They can then call the driver once the ride is booked to let them know about special requirements. For more specific assistance, Uber has a service called UberWAV, which connects riders with vehicles equipped with ramps or lifts. Uber also implemented features to help blind and low-vision customers, like their VoiceOver feature, now available in over 300 cities around the world.

It is Lyft’s policy that passengers that use wheelchairs that can safely and securely fit in the trunk of the vehicle or backseat of the car without obstructing the view of the driver should be reasonably accommodated by drivers on the Lyft platform, and drivers should make every reasonable effort to transport the passenger and his or her wheelchair. Lyft says it is also willing to accommodate service animals. But it recommends that passengers who need them call the driver in advance and let them know–and has a hotline for drivers to call if they have a “medically documented reason” that would prevent them from taking the animal.

As the TNCs work with leaders in the disability community to expand the range of their services, they continue to become more accessible for people with physical challenges. With more ridesharing options available, millions more Americans can now get to work on their own, visit friends, or enjoy an evening out. This helps fulfill the promise of the ADA by creating a more equal America.