How to Fund Mobility Aids: 5 Accessible Ways to Get the Equipment You Deserve
Mobility aids give us SO much freedom but something that can be a real barrier for a lot of us in the disabled community: how on earth do you actually afford mobility aids?!
Whether it’s a wheelchair, scooter, walker, or rollator, mobility aids can be shockingly expensive—often costing as much or more than a car! But here’s the good news: there are lots of ways to get the aid you need for free, at a lower cost, or through funding support. And I’ve tried a lot of these techniques myself.
Let’s break down my top five ways to fund mobility aids, with practical advice, my own experience, and helpful links.
1. Buy Second-Hand or Pre-Loved Aids
One of the easiest and most budget-friendly ways to get started is to buy second-hand.
Where to look:
- Facebook Marketplace – search terms like “chair on wheels” instead of “wheelchair” to avoid algorithm issues
- Disability selling groups on Facebook – Some of my favourite groups are ‘Disability Equipment UK’, ‘Wheelchair & Mobility Equipment Buy & Sell’, ‘Crutches & Sticks & Wheels Oh My!’
- Gumtree
- Ebay
- Vinted – occasionally has sticks and smaller aids
- Amazon Warehouse – discounted returned items – I got a lovely walking stick over half price because it simply didn’t have it’s box!
My experience:
My first walker cost me just £10 on Facebook Marketplace and lasted me for years! I also had a lovely man in the community who listed a manual wheelchair for £100 end up giving it to me for free when I went to collect it as he could see how much I needed it at the time. That kind of mutual support is what I love about the disabled community. The difficulty with this technique is knowing what you are looking for and you aren’t getting something that is custom for you. It might not be your forever mobility aid but it’s a great place to start especially if you’re figuring out whats helpful for you.
Top Tip: Customise It
Want your aid to feel more you? I’ve added zebra print tape, stickers, tinsel, lights, and even a name badge to mine. Wheelchair wheel covers and cushions can also make a big difference in comfort and making you feel more confident with your aids!
2. Rent Mobility Aids for Short-Term Use
If you only need an aid for a specific event or holiday, or want to trial something before committing, renting is a brilliant option.
Where to rent:
- British Red Cross: You can rent a self-propelled or transit wheelchair from just £22/week. Flexible hire terms available and help for those who can’t afford the fee.
- Zoos, shopping centres, and theme parks: Many offer free or low-cost rentals on the day. Always call ahead to check.
3. Go Through NHS Wheelchair Services
How it works:
- Ask your GP, physio, or OT for a referral.
- You’ll be assessed for a chair to meet your long-term needs.
Pros:
- You may get a chair completely funded.
- Voucher schemes let you contribute toward a chair of your choice.
Cons:
- Long wait times: 70% wait over 3 months; 30% wait 6+ months; 15% wait over a year.
- Limited options if you’re ambulatory as they may not offer you the kind of chair you actually need.
4. Use Grants & Funding Schemes
UK Options:
- Motability Scheme: Use PIP/DLA to fund powered wheelchairs or scooters. It means you are still paying for it but over a long time can feel like let of a hit. But it can end up costing more than buying it outright.
- Must have 12+ months left on benefit award
- Includes insurance and breakdown cover
- Access to Work: For disabled people in (or starting) work. Can fund very high-cost, specialist chairs. Check out my Access to Work Q&A for more info. The downside is that wait time are very long.
- Charitable Grants:
- The Mobility Trust: For severely disabled people who can’t afford equipment
- Blesma: For current/ex-service people with life-changing injuries
- Family Fund: For families of disabled children
- Mind Body EDS: For people with EDS/HSD
- Independence at Home: For people with long term illness & disabilities but you need a referrer from their list
- WhizzKids: Provides wheelchairs for children
USA Options:
- Medicare/Medicaid (with doctor’s prescription)
- Veterans Affairs (VA) programs
- Charities like Chive Charities and Triumph Foundation
5. Crowdfunding & Self-Funding
Sometimes all the above routes still leave you stuck, and you might need to self-fund. But you don’t have to do it alone. Asking for help via crowdfunding isn’t easy but it can be really successful as every little helps and it means you can get small amounts of support from lots of people within your community rather than relying on one source. I crowdfunded for my first Rollz Motion Rollator walker and was blown away by the support from the community!
Crowdfunding Platforms:
Tips:
- Tell your story honestly and clearly.
- Run events alongside the fundraising page to keep the interest going. Raffles or Quiz nights are a great way to add to the donations in person or online.
- Remember the fees – some crowdfunding platforms take a cut so you may need to raise slightly more than the cost of your aid to cover those fees.
Final Thoughts
Mobility aids are a huge investment, but they can also be life-changing. I know it can feel overwhelming trying to figure out how to fund one, but please know there are options.
Want help with grants or setting up crowdfunding? Check out Access Your Life — they can support you in finding the right aid and accessing discounts, crowdfunding, and charity funding. You can also find reviews of the mobility aids I use and discount codes for them on my mobility aids page.
You deserve the right support to move through the world freely.
If you have other ideas or experiences that helped you fund your own mobility aids, please share them in the comments — let’s help each other.
And don’t forget to check out the full YouTube video and Instagram post for more tips and stories. And if this helped, please share it with someone who might need it too.
