Language Matters: Amplified Mobility

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What is amplified mobility?

Six people using amplified mobility devices. From left to right, a person using a manual wheelchair with a clip-on powered attachment, a person riding a stand-on scooter, a person using a single mobility scooter, a person riding a sit-on 2-wheeled scooter, a person using a powerchair and two people using a tandem mobility scooter.

Amplified mobility is movement at above walking speed using any kind of powered or unpowered lightweight assistive device.

Amplified mobility devices include cycles, manual and e-scooters, manual, powered and power-assisted wheelchairs, mobility scooters, skateboards, roller skates, and a whole range of other innovative powered and unpowered devices that enable someone to move faster than walking pace.

Amplified mobility devices provide low-carbon, convenient, cheap outdoor journey-making options that can often be combined with public transport and which are more accessible to many people than private vehicles.

Both Disabled and non-disabled people use amplified mobility devices to make journeys.

When an amplified mobility device is used by a Disabled person at walking speed to assist with or replace walking, the device is a mobility aid. Disabled people must be facilitated to use our preferred mobility aids in all public spaces and to make multi-modal journeys, including on public transport.

Recognising and respecting amplified mobility devices used by Disabled people as mobility aids to assist with or replace walking will help services and organisations to meet their obligations under the Equality Act, including the Public Sector Equality Duty, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

It is never acceptable for any person – Disabled or non-disabled – to put others at risk by dangerous use of amplified mobility devices.

Five cycles being ridden as amplified mobility - from left to right: A side-by-side tandem ridden by an adult and child, a delivery cyclist, a small person riding a bicycle, a person riding a recumbent trike, two people riding a tandem trike.

Wheels for Wellbeing Language Matters

The Wheels for Wellbeing Language Matters series provides information and guidance on terms that are important for equitable active travel. We need campaigners, decision-makers and designers to understand these concepts so we can develop the policies and infrastructure that will result in equal mobility for all.

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