Thank you for your interest in receiving a portable power wheelchair or mobility scooter from Mobility Aids Lending Library. We typically have a 3 to 6 month wait for portable mobility devices. Please read the FAQ below regarding the waiting list and options for getting a device more quickly.
What is the waiting list for?
The waiting list is for people who specifically need a PORTABLE power wheelchair or mobility scooter — one that folds or comes apart to fit in a vehicle trunk or back seat. The portability is what makes these devices both popular and in short supply.
Why is the waiting list so long?
This waiting list is long because we have many people requesting these items. Portable devices are newer technology and tend to work well for the people who have them, so they are donated at a lower rate than other types of mobility aids. When we do receive them, they typically need new batteries, which cost $100-$300. That means we have to make sure we can afford the batteries, order them, and then either install them ourselves or in some cases have them professionally installed.
Currently, we are volunteer-run and operate on a shoestring budget. Our volunteers are typically available one or two days a week to handle battery installation and pickups. This means that even after we receive new batteries, it can take some time for us to install them, and then to set up a meeting for you to pick up the device.
How often should I contact you to check my place on the waiting list?
You’re welcome to contact us once a month to see how things are going. Please don’t contact us daily or weekly. We promise we haven’t forgotten you and we will let you know when we have a device available.
Are there power wheelchairs or scooters available without a waiting list?
Yes. We nearly always have non-portable power wheelchairs in stock and ready to go. At most, it would be a week or two if the specific device requires new batteries.
Non-portable power wheelchairs and scooters offer many advantages over portable ones. They have a longer battery range — you could wheel all over town and still have enough battery to get back home. They handle hills, bumpy sidewalks, and grass far better than portable devices. They are also much more comfortable to sit in, especially for larger people and those with chronic pain. We have wheelchairs with features like seat elevation so you can reach things, tilt, recline, and foot elevation.
What would I need to use a non-portable scooter or power wheelchair?
Life with a disability means adapting or adjusting your life so you can use a mobility aid. These simple changes will open up so many options for you in the long run and make your life better.
Transportation
If you live on a bus line, have BT Access, or have a vehicle with a ramp or lift, you’re all set!
If you don’t have an accessible vehicle, you can consider a trailer hitch platform. These cost much less than an accessible vehicle and will allow you to take a heavier power device wherever you go. MALL does not generally have trailer hitch platforms available, but here are some options to consider that cost about $200:
GoPlus Hitch Mount (Amazon)
Titan Ramps Hitch Mount (Amazon)
We know $200 may seem like a lot of money, but accessible vehicles typically cost $10,000 to $30,000 more than a regular van, so a trailer platform is really the only semi-affordable option.
Home Accessibility
Standard scooters and power wheelchairs are too heavy to lift up stairs, so you’ll need a ramp to get one into your home. If you rent, your landlord is required under the federal Fair Housing Act to allow you to install a ramp — but you’re responsible for covering the cost.
If you have 1 to 2 steps, you can get a portable ramp for a fairly affordable price. Our co-president Karin Willison wrote a guide to learn about ramps and how to choose one.
Wheelchair Ramp Guide (external link, opens in new tab)
I decided I could use a non-portable scooter or power wheelchair instead of waiting. What should I do?
Please contact us again and we will make arrangements for you to try one.
How can I help reduce the length of the waiting list?
Donate
Your donations will help us replace batteries and handle other minor repairs so power chairs can be ready to go. Donations are tax-deductible!
Donate portable power devices
Do you have a folding scooter or power wheelchair that you no longer need? We’d love to accept it and place it with someone on our waiting list.
Pay for your own batteries
We understand that many of our clients are not financially able to pay for their own batteries, but if you are, please let us know. We can either allow you to pick the chair up without batteries or arrange for it to be sent to a local medical supply store that can replace them.