What Does ”Wheelchair Accessible” Really mean?
When a place, particularly a business, claims to be wheelchair accessible, a lot of times it really isn’t – it is only accessible to the minimal required standards. So many places I have gone to that say they are fully accessible have merely an automatic door opening button, and a support bar next to the toilet. Sure, that may be fine for people who are able to use their arms well and able to transfer themselves, but what about the more severely disabled that require much more assistance? I, personally, am completely dependent and need to use a lift to transfer, and you would be surprised how difficult it is to find a hotel room with a bed that has a space underneath to allow for a Hoyer lift to slide under.
Society needs to think more about the disabled community and cater to their needs a little more, instead of only making places as minimally accessible as the law states. How often do you, as a wheelchair-bound person or someone accompanying one, go to a shop only to find that you can’t even get in because the aisles are too narrow? People often don’t think about these kinds of things, and it’s a shame that we have to miss out on so much because of the fact that we are an often forgotten minority.
The best thing to do would be to have some people that are in wheelchairs on the council when the city is discussing making a place accessible, that way they can get ideas from the ones that know what is required or what would be ideal, then they can ensure that the physically disabled can be included and partake in more activities that able-bodied people can. The next time you encounter somewhere that cannot accommodate you, write a quick letter, phone call, e-mail, etc… to your mayor to suggest ways of making changes to resolve the issue. If enough people do this, the city may better consider our special needs and make the necessary alterations – together we can make a difference!
Cor
Wheelchair in Motion Limited | Van Rentals in Ontario
I agree with this 100%!! I am also in a wheelchair and struggle finding places where my wheelchair can go in and that I can feel comfortable. I think that many business need to think about how their store accommodates us.
Maxwell’s Restaurant in Bath has no wheelchair accessible to bathroom!
I’ve been asking the same question. What is wheelchair accessible? I was walking before I was involved in a car acciden resulting in a spinal cord injury. I can’t walk I’m always in my wheelchair and I find it very hard to get around. My complex doesn’t have automatic doors the elevators are too small my apartment is also not wheelchair accessible I don’t even have access to my bathroom, unfortunately it’s all I was able to move into. Currently I’m looking to move but again it’s very hard to do so. I also find that people are not very understanding at all to my situation.
Wheelchair accessible toilets. I have to assist my wife in such a facility. They might be big enough for a person by themselves but for those requiring assistance few disabled toilets have enough room for a chair and 2 people.