Walking aids

There are different types of walking aids and the one used depends on the severity of the disability and the individual's mobility. Different types of walking aid include:

• Walking stick or cane
• Crutches
• Walking frame or Zimmer frame

When you collect a passenger from their home or assist them to their destination, there are things that you will need to consider. If the passenger is using a frame, they may not be able to go up or down stairs, they may need a ramp. If there are a lot of stairs and the person using a walking aid it would be useful to know if there is a lift available.

Parking as close as possible to limit the distance that an individual who uses a walking aid will have to travel, will benefit both you and the passenger, the passenger because it will require less walking and you because it will take a shorter time to get to or from your vehicle.

When you collect a passenger who uses a walking aid, this is obviously going to have to travel with them. Canes or sticks can easily be placed next to the person. Crutches have been set to the height of the individual, so these need to be left as they are, they should not be lowered, so these may need to go in the back of the car or across the back seat.

Make sure you have the walking aid ready when you assist the individual to get out of the car so that you are ready to hand them to them, some can be used to assist exiting but you need to be aware of their limitations,  frames are lightweight walking aids, they are not designed to pull a person up and they are not standing aids, they are not that substantial.

If a passenger used a walking frame to lift themselves out of a vehicle they could get into difficulty and potentially injure themselves, so you will need to be there to provide assistance to them in getting into and out of your vehicle, when they are standing it is safe for them to then use the frame to support them as they walk.