Here are some of the typical daily challenges faced by wheelchair users:
1. Older buildings with small doorways or corridors or no elevators. Most
parking lots are very difficult to manoeuvre through. Simple things like
shopping, visiting friends or relatives become a really difficult and complex
task very quickly.
2. Uneven and rough terrain especially with sloping ground make moving
manual wheelchairs almost impossible.
3. Public transit. Getting on and off a bus that is equipped with
wheelchair equipment can be tedious and time consuming and that is for the ones
that do have the equipment. It will be impossible otherwise. Accessing
different levels of the transit system especially if there are no elevators or
if they are not working.
4. You might easily walk over the gap getting on a train or sub way but for
a wheelchair user crossing that gap can be very tricky and there is always the
fear of getting your wheels stuck.
5. Wheelchair users don’t have a choice but to sit which can present the
problems of muscle cramps and pressure sores. Either affliction can be a great
source of discomfort.
6. Since wheelchair are below the normal or expected line of vision,
motorist, pedestrians and other road users can present a danger if they don’t
see the wheelchair user quick enough to react. This almost blind spot has
caused many accidents involving wheelchair on the street and sidewalks.
7. Absence of Wheelchair Friendly Public Toilets makes it even more
difficult for Wheelchair Users to move out.
8. The last and probably the biggest challenge is the attitude of society
to wheelchair users. Those without physical disabilities might find it
difficult to see through the eyes of a wheelchair user. Some typical reactions
to wheelchair users include being talked down to, being totally ignored or
thinking that the wheelchair user can do more for him or herself.
Wheelchair-Friendly Individuals
Now that you are aware of some of the challenges that wheelchair users
face, hopefully you will be more accommodating and helpful if the need arises.
Help make the world a safer and more wheelchair-user friendly place. Most of us
will need or might end up in a wheelchair at some point in our lives!
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