A mobility aid is a device designed to assist walking or otherwise improve the mobility of people with a mobility impairment. The term appears in government documents and refers to “Those devices whose use enables a freedom of movement similar to that of unassisted walking or standing up from a chair.”

Traditionally the phrase ‘mobility aid’ has applied mainly to low technology mechanical devices such as canes (or walking sticks), crutches and walkers/walking frames, but technical advances can be expected to increase the scope of these devices considerably. For example, there are already working versions of ‘robotic’ walking systems that enable people who are paralysed and who have no use of their legs to independently walk and climb steps and stairs.

Here is more information on the wide range of mobility aids currently available.