Why Mobility Equipment Handling Matters
Mobility equipment is not ordinary luggage. For the people who rely on it, a wheelchair, power wheelchair or scooter is an essential part of daily life. Improper handling can cause expensive damage, major disruption and loss of mobility at the destination.
Mobility Equipment Services Inc. works with complex mobility equipment every day and understands how quickly incorrect lifting, loading or transport can damage electronics, seating systems, frames and controls.
A wheelchair is not luggage.
The Cost of Improper Mobility Equipment Handling
$1.5+ MILLION
Accessibility-related penalties imposed on Canadian transportation service providers in 2024–25.
433
Accessibility complaints reported in Canada in 2024–25, up from 67 in 2019–20. Mobility aids and assistance are among the most common complaint areas.
$50 MILLION
In 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation assessed American Airlines a $50 million penalty following serious disability-related violations, including thousands of wheelchairs and scooters damaged or delayed between 2019–2023.
11,000+
Approximate number of wheelchairs and scooters mishandled by reporting U.S. airlines in 2024. U.S. airlines transported about 899,000 wheelchairs and scooters in 2024. The reported mishandling rate was 1.26%.
When complex mobility equipment is mishandled, the cost can include repairs, full replacement, temporary equipment, regulatory penalties and major disruption for the person who depends on the device.
Canada does not currently publish a comprehensive annual count of damaged mobility aids comparable to U.S. reporting.
Why Training Makes the Difference
Most mobility equipment damage is not caused by bad intentions , it happens when staff are expected to handle complex equipment without enough equipment-specific knowledge.
A power wheelchair may contain customized seating, electronics, motors, batteries, fragile controls and components that are not designed to be used as lifting points. Even experienced baggage, transport or operations staff may not know how different mobility devices should be moved, secured or prepared for transport.
Proper training gives staff the confidence to recognize vulnerable components, identify safe handling points, document equipment condition and make better decisions before damage occurs.
Better handling starts with understanding the equipment.
The goal is not to turn staff into mobility technicians, Â it is to give them the practical knowledge to handle equipment safely and know when to stop and ask for assistance.
What the Training Covers
This training is designed to give staff the practical knowledge they need to handle wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, scooters and other mobility equipment more safely, consistently and respectfully.
Manual Wheelchairs
Proper lifting points, folding mechanisms, removable components, frames and common damage risks.
Power Wheelchairs
Safe movement, joystick protection, seating systems, electronics, power functions and areas that should never be used as lifting points.
Mobility Scooters
Safe lifting, transport positioning, removable batteries/components and avoiding damage to controls, shrouds and frames.
Batteries & Electronics
Basic awareness of battery types, power isolation, electronics and precautions during transport.
Securement & Transport
General principles for positioning, tie-down awareness and reducing movement during transport.
Pre-Transport Inspection
Checking condition before handling, documenting visible damage and identifying removable or vulnerable components.
Damage Prevention
Common causes of avoidable damage and how staff can reduce risk during loading, unloading, storage and transfer.
What To Do If Damage Occurs
Documenting the incident, protecting the equipment from further damage and escalating appropriately.
Training can be customized to your organization’s equipment types, procedures and operating environment.