Fears over mobility aids affecting professional image

Almost half of Brits are concerned that using mobility scooters could impact how they are perceived in the workplace.

According to survey of just over 1,000 British adults, as many as 47 per cent would be worried about using current models of mobility aids in the workplace, out of fears it could affect their professional image.

And as many as 31 per cent believe there is currently a social stigma attached to using these devices to get around. Plus one in six admitted that they would be concerned that they would be considered less hard-working than others.

The survey was commissioned to mark the launch of RELYNC, a smart mobility scooter which is aimed at changing the public perception of these devices, having been designed to combine functionality with style.

“Mobility issues can affect people of all ages and levels of fitness to encompass everything from sports of DIY injuries, to arthritis or even pain caused by injuries such as breakages earlier on in life,” said Ellen Zha, global sales director at RELYNC.co.uk. “For the most part, unless you are working in a manual position, they won’t affect the mind or our abilities to do our jobs, and so this shouldn’t be something that workers are ashamed of. And yet clearly there are some negative – and actually unfounded – connotations to using these devices.

“But this needn’t be the case. Firstly, companies need to be clear about their inclusion policies and management need to set an example by demonstrating a welcoming and positive attitude towards those who do use mobility scooters, for whatever reason it might be. And crucially, more needs to be done to change the design and image of mobility devices.”