What Does Wheelchair Accessible Mean?

Wheelchair accessible means creating an environment where wheelchair users are accommodated to the degree that they need no other help. It allows wheelchair users to enjoy the same services as non-disabled persons because of the modifications and safety standards in place.

Recently, my paraplegic friend wanted to celebrate his birthday by going out for dinner. There aren’t any real wheelchair-friendly restaurants in our town. We needed the help of a few strong men to get him and his wheelchair up and down stairs. At least he could sit comfortably at the table. We had fun, but still, it was a mission. He wouldn’t have been able to go there without the help of others.

By creating a wheelchair-accessible environment, we’re creating equal opportunities for our friends in wheelchairs. They can interact and integrate with society more readily and have equal access to information, services, and places. Then, wheelchair users won’t have to rely on others so much. They, too, can enjoy the independence that comes with mobility that so many of us take for granted.

The terms “wheelchair accessible” and “handicap accessible” are often used interchangeably, but they are different. Wheelchair-accessible places can be enjoyed by those with other disabilities, but handicap-accessible places aren’t necessarily wheelchair-friendly. As such, wheelchair access specifically refers to areas available for wheelchair users to move about safely.

Handicap-accessible facilities tend to stick to the minimum Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements and consider the following group of people:

Wheelchair-accessible facilities accommodate wheelchair users with rails, ramps, and sometimes lifts. Safety standards should be considered when incorporating these features to make a place wheelchair accessibles.

For instance, in the United States, non-domestic wheelchair ramps need to comply with the following standards:

For a doorway or entrance to be accessible by wheelchairs, it should have a universal design that includes being wide enough and having a door opening mechanism if possible. Standard doors are between 23 and 27 inches wide, which isn’t wide enough for a wheelchair to move through easily. As such, the width of a wheelchair-accessible doorway should be between 32 and 48 inches.

Regarding door openings, automated doorways with sensors are most helpful for wheelchair accessibility. In place of that, the handle or door opening mechanism should be modified for a wheelchair user to reach and turn, press, or grip. The way the door opens should also be considered, i.e., the direction it slides or pivots.

If a door is automated, it should stay open long enough for the wheelchair user to get through the doorway.

To be classified as a wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV) means the wheelchair user should be able to always sit in their wheelchair without needing to get out. Additionally, the wheelchair needs to be secured at all times during transit. If a vehicle must have its existing seating removed to accommodate a wheelchair, it’s not considered a suitable WAV.

Wheelchair-accessible parking areas ought to be flat and wider than regular parking bays. They should also be close to the entrance of the building and have a ramp close by if the surface level changes.

Buildings that are wheelchair-accessible will need to meet specific ADA safety standards. Still, there are other things to consider too:

Wheelchair-accessible restaurants should make allowance for wheelchair users to sit comfortably at a dining table within easy reach of their food. Tables that are not wheelchair accessible include those that are too high or low, too narrow, or those with legs that would get in the way of the wheelchair.

Additionally, buffet sections and self-help services should be accessible to wheelchair users.

For a hotel room to be wheelchair accessible, it means there should be no solid base around the bed. A solid base would mean the wheelchair can’t be right next to the mattress to transfer the wheelchair user. In addition, the added distance of 2 to 3 inches between the wheelchair and the bed increases the risk of strain and falling during transfer.

Wheelchair-accessible bathrooms should be large enough for a wheelchair to move and turn around and accommodate a carer if necessary. There should be grab bars around the toilet and in the shower or tub and non-slip flooring.

The shower should be level with the ground and have space for a shower chair. It should also have a height-adjustable handheld shower head with an accessible nozzle. The basin in a wheelchair-accessible bathroom should be low enough and have enough space for the wheelchair to get under. This will allow a wheelchair user to wash their hands and brush their teeth more easily.

Wheelchair users and others with mobility disabilities who wish to visit public parks or events such as concerts should check for wheelchair accessibility before booking. Only people who fall into the category of mobility disability are permitted to purchase accessible seats.

For those in wheelchairs, it would be wise to check if the accessible seats are wheelchair friendly. According to the ADA, accessible seats at concerts or events should be specifically designed for wheelchairs. These seats should offer the following features as per the 2010 ADA standards, sections 221 and 802:

If a place or vehicle is accessible with wheelchairs. It can benefit more than wheelchair users. For example, consider people pushing strollers, parents with toddlers, disabled people with carers, or those who ride mobility scooters. Of course, preference and right of way should be given to wheelchair users. Still, many other people can benefit from wheelchair-accessible facilities.

Aside from other people using wheelchair-accessible facilities, the increased accessibility makes it more inclusive. In addition, it increases the social variety of people at the venue and is less discriminatory against those with mobility issues.

Wheelchair accessibility means creating an environment where wheelchair users can safely move about in their wheelchairs with ease and independence if they want. The term does not only apply to places with ramps, lifts, and handrails. Instead, places that are wheelchair accessible have modified entrances, facilities, and services to accommodate wheelchair users.