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Promoting Success in Agriculture for People with Disabilities and Their Families

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Winter 2006, Vol. 6, No. 2

Table of Contents at bottom PDF Version

Assistive Technology Notes
Basic Mobility - Canes, Walkers, and Scooters

Gradual loss in mobility function, whether attributed to a degenerative disease like PLS or the aging process, may require that a person use a variety of different mobility devices as the disability changes. A large and growing market exists for commercially available mobility products exist which can be used in the home or in different work environments.

Canes and Walkers

A cane or walker may meet the needs of individuals requiring minimal assistance. Canes and cane tips come in a variety of styles and functions. By reviewing the farmer/rancher’s daily working requirements and the physical environment of the farm/ranch, the individual, the physician, and the AgrAbility professional should be able to choose the type of cane and cane tip that will work best. If snow and ice create problems, for example, using a cane with interchangeable tips can be helpful.

Sometimes the simple act of navigating stairs can present an obstacle for people using canes. Some may not have the leg range-of-motion to traverse the stair step depth whether going up or down the stairs. An inexpensive product known as a “quad-step” cane (see Figure 1) can enhance mobility on stairs, since it reduces stair steps to about half their normal travel height.

If someone requires slightly more assistance or help with balance and mobility, a “walker” may be prescribed (see Figure 2). Most walkers are manually pushed along by the user. They are usually a foldable four-post design and come in all shapes, styles, and sizes. Some walkers are plain and force the user to lift or slide them along as they walk, while others have features such as hand brakes, large wheels, and a carrying bag or basket.

If a farmer tires easily while walking, using a powered mobility scooter (see Figure 3) may help him or her conserve energy for work tasks. Companies that manufacture and design scooters are almost as numerous as car companies. Some powered scooters are designed to be lightweight, for temporary or indoor use only, while other scooters are made to operate in the outdoor, recreational, or agricultural environment. A review of electric powered scooters published by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) in 1995 provides information on various styles of scooters as well as handling ability, features, riding comfort, and other factors to consider in selecting a scooter. ⁷

In some cases, it may make sense to have both a lightweight scooter for home or off the farm use and a second, more rugged model for use around the farm. One example of a scooter designed for outdoor use is the Journeyman from Life Essentials (see Figure 4). Scooter features to consider for outdoor use are power, battery life, tires and seating. The terrain around and within buildings is also a consideration. An outdoor scooter should have enough power to get through snow, mud, grasses, or other rough terrain. A custom-built scooter may be an option when standard scooter features do not meet the user’s needs.

Selecting the Right Mobility Aid

Farm yards can change quickly from easily-traversed packed soil/gravel-covered areas to a muddy, deeply rutted obstacle course caused by changing weather. When evaluating the current mobility needs of the farmer, the cane, walker or scooter chosen should be designed to traverse a majority of the pathways around the farm.

If mobility aids are not available for the farmer’s type of terrain or pathways, changes may be necessary to enable him/her to travel around the farm. Today, walks or pathways are not limited to concrete or crushed/tightly packed stone. Several alternative materials currently used to improve the accessibility of park trails, campsites or playgrounds might also be applied to frequently traveled farm yards and pathways. ⁸

Properly designed pathways may reduce the possibility for slips and falls, increase access during a time when mobility needs are changing, and ultimately allow the farmer to continue to perform daily chores.