No abstract

Four themes were found to describe experiences: autonomy and well-being, accessibility, community interactions and self-regulation. Discussion and implications: This study was a pilot for a larger study examining self-regulation in scooter users. However, as roles emerge for health professionals and scooters, the findings also provide evidence to inform practice, because it demonstrates the complex meaning and influences on performance involved in low vision mobility scooter use. Implications for rehabilitation Scooter use supports autonomy and well-being and community connections for individuals with both mobility and visual impairments. Low vision scooter users demonstrate self-regulation of their scooter use to manage both their visual and environmental limitations. Issues of accessibility experienced by this sample affect a wider community of footpath users, emphasizing the need for councils to address inadequate infrastructure. Rehabilitators can support their low vision clients' scooter use by acknowledging issues of accessibility and promoting self-regulation strategies to manage risks and barriers.

Introduction: Individuals with visual impairment may choose to use a mobility scooter for meaningful community mobility. This study investigated what self-regulation strategies older adults with visual impairment employed to ensure effective mobility scooter use. Method: This interpretive description study used multiple methods, including participant observation and semi-structured interviews. Among the 15 participants, a variety of visual impairments was represented. Results: Participants described the various reasons for getting a scooter. They also detailed risks and barriers that warranted self-regulation strategies including the environment, the visual impairment and the attitudinal approaches. Conclusion: Barriers to community participation are common for people with visual impairment. This study adds detailed accounts of strategies for the competent management of such barriers using self-regulation practices. These practices can be applied in the community to maintain/improve infrastructure accessibility, address public understanding of scooter use and educate individuals with visual impairment of strategies to improve their scooter use.