4 Problems Wheelchair Users Face

Around 65 million people in the world require wheelchairs. Due to old age, any disability or special needs, mobility can be affected in a way that requires a person to use a wheelchair to get around. The issues faced by wheelchair users mostly revolve around accessibility and not with the wheelchairs themselves. Here are some of the most common issues they face:

Tight Corridors and Spaces

While wheelchairs don’t take up a ton of space, they are considerably large in size. While creating corridors and spaces, designers often only consider the average person’s width and height. Other than that, there’s also the problem of sharp angles in between corridors.

Getting wheelchairs across such spots can be difficult, especially if there’s any obstruction along the way. Making the turn can also be tedious, as it requires a lot of back and forth maneuvering in order to make the turn.

Stairs (Or the Lack of Ramps)

Stairs are a tedious affair for everyone using a wheelchair. Not every home or office building has an elevator, which makes stairs the only way to go up and down in some locations. This is an absolute no-go for wheelchair users.

It’s better to have ramps with a slight incline so that wheelchair users can easily go up and down without having to require any help. Unfortunately, home accessibility is generally not a concern for designers, which wheelchair users bear the brunt of.

Height Issues

Another issue that people in wheelchairs often face is reaching certain objects. Cabinets and some tabletops are fairly higher placed for the average person to reach when seated, which severely limits the reach for wheelchair users.

The same issue applies to mirrors as well, as they can barely see their face or torso at best when looking into a mirror due to how high they are generally placed.

Parking

Disabled parking exists for a reason, but despite that, you will often find able-bodied people parking in these spaces. These are specifically for people that need them, but despite that, the rights of people with disabilities are violated this way.

And to make matters worse, the cars are parked in such a tight manner that it can be very difficult for wheelchair users to get out of the car without requiring assistance, which defeats the purpose of the space.

If you or your loved one uses a wheelchair and you wish to make your home more accessible, the ADA compliance contractors at Access Built can help renovate your Miami home in a way that accommodates your needs. We offer our assistance in building a house for disabled persons, offering handicap remodeling and home modification for elderly and disabled users. 

We believe in empowering people to be more self-sufficient and attending to the needs of others. Get in touch with us today for your home accessibility design overhaul.