Wheelchair users face many problems, such as going up and downstairs. Some of these problems are caused by physical disabilities, but others result from poor planning on the designers of public facilities. In many cases, issues can be fixed by making minor changes in existing buildings and providing special equipment at home or work.
What problems do wheelchair users face? Some of these challenges include but are not limited to accessing transportation, entering buildings, and dealing with inaccessible terrain. By understanding the challenges that wheelchair users face, we can create a more accessible world for all.
Here are some of the daily chaleges faced by wheelchair users
Wheelchair users have several daily challenges that they face. These challenges can range from difficult to impossible to complete tasks. The most challenging task that wheelchair users face is public restrooms.
Many buildings are not equipped with handicap-accessible bathrooms, which means they do not have a low enough toilet for someone in a wheelchair to use. Getting dressed can also be difficult because most clothes are not made with wheelchairs in mind.
Most common challenges include maneuvering through tight spaces and crossing gaps. Wheelchair users often sit, leading to muscle cramps, pressure sores, and discomfort. In addition, most of us are not aware of wheelchair users’ surroundings, leading to accidents involving them.
Daily Life Problems Faced by Wheelchair Users
Wheelchair users face many difficulties in their day-to-day lives. One of the most common is finding a place to park at a store or restaurant, which can be difficult when there are no designated spots.
Wheelchair users also have difficulty transitioning from their chair to other seats, which often leads to people standing up before the person in the wheelchair has a chance to be seated.
Wheelchair users face many difficulties in their day-to-day lives. One of the most common is finding a place to park at a store or restaurant. Below are some everyday problems that wheelchair users can face.
Difficulty with hands and blisters
Wheelchair users often get dirty hands and nails, leading to blisters.
Disinfectant is useless because the gloves have to dry before the user can move again.
Sometimes colleagues touch a cane user without asking first, which can be uncomfortable or awkward conversations. Using wheelchair gloves can help keep your hands clean and blister free. There are many benefits to using gloves while using a manual wheelchair.
Inaccessible ramps
Finding no ramps will make getting into a place inaccessible. Ramps even when they are present may not be the correct size, start after a step, or even have to steep of a gradient resulting in issues.
Individuals with mobility impairments need clearance space to approach and open doors.
Latch-side space of 18 inches is required for forwarding approaches, and the space in front of the door must have at lease 60 inches deep for the pull side of doors. Narrow wheelchairs can help with this.
Thresholds cannot exceed a half-inch, and thresholds greater than a quarter-inch must be beveled at the edges.
We Become Invisible when in a wheelchair.
A lot of times, people in wheelchairs feel like they get ignored. A lot of times this is because people feel nervous or may not know how to act simply because someone is in a wheelchair.
Because of this, they ignore the situation or will talk to the person that is with the wheelchair individual and not interact with the one in the chair.
This can be very frustrating for those in wheelchairs because they feel like people are just not interested in them.
And it’s not only the person in the wheelchair that feels this way, but sometimes their family members feel this way as well.
They may feel like people are ignoring them because they don’t know how to act or what is appropriate, so they avoid the situation altogether and pretend that everything is normal.
When someone is in a wheelchair, they have their own set of problems that other people don’t face. They are not only disabled, but they are also different and unique in their own
Getting into Elevator
Lifts are crucial for people with disabilities to get from one story in a building to another. If lifts are not available, a person’s confidence can fall. Resulting in that person not getting into the place they desire.
The Struggle for Parking the Vehicle
Wheelchair users face many problems when trying to find parking.
Wheelchair users need more accessible parking spaces. Depending on the population and where you live finding enough handicap spacing can be an issue. Florida for example within the tri-county areas during peak dinner times show just how insufficient handicap spaces are.
Wheelchair users should be given preferential treatment when it comes to finding and using parking spaces.
Having to use a public restroom
Public bathrooms can be difficult to find and access for wheelchair users.
Public bathrooms may only have one accessible toilet, which can be located in a difficult or inconvenient location. It is important to avoid using disabled toilets when other toilets are available.
Realizing that public transport doesn’t cater to us at all.
Public transport is not always an option, especially in rural areas. Wheelchair taxis are available, but they can be expensive, and there may be no wheelchair taxis available in your area.
Certain public transport doesn’t cater to wheelchair users. We should try to avoid using wheelchair taxis and leave the wheelchair space free on buses and trains. Offer to help someone in a wheelchair get on to the bus, train if possible.
Trying to fit a wheelchair into a car.
Wheelchairs should be adjustable to fit the individual’s needs. Wheelchairs designed for temporary uses (e.g., in a hospital) are not typically adjustable or fitted well.
Wheelchairs must fit well and provide good pressure relief and postural support to be effective for long-term use. Highly modified wheelchairs are designed specifically for those with special needs, such as those with disabilities that require additional support during daily activities.
Wheelchairs for outdoor use need to be robust and stable. Wheelchairs for indoor use need to be easy to maneuver in small spaces.
A compromise is often necessary, such as a wheelchair with a short wheelbase and large castor wheels. Different wheelchair designs are made more compact.
In closing
There are many difficulties that wheelchair users face in the daily life. From getting into a car to accessing parking wheelchair users face a daily struggle that someone not in a wheelchair most likely does not understand.
Knowing what these struggles are can help both the person in the wheelchair and those with no mobility issues help to make the transition of daily life easier for those with mobility issues.
While some issues can be fixed with simply purchases of gloves or different wheelchairs others will need to be addressed by building codes and other outside sources to help those that have limited mobility issues navigate more easily and safely when out.
Adam Smith is the main researcher and contributor at Mobility Medical Supply. Adam has many years of research in public data, and software security. With Mobility issues within Adam's family, he decided to dedicate in-depth guides on mobility products to anyone looking to improve movement and gain independence.
