hey before you call something wheelchair accessible just go ahead and invite a wheelchair user or two over because I almost guarantee you that an able-bodied person is not capable of guessing what is accessible without having ever used a wheelchair solo before
some but not all cool things nobody ever thinks of:
put hand sanitizer or a sink in the accessible bathroom stall, or alcohol wipes outside of it. people who cannot use their legs have to use unwashed hands to roll to the sink, and people who can use their legs are afraid to walk out of stalls because they get harassed and even assaulted.
enough space for wheelchair in doorwayâŠAND ARMS. HOW DO YOU THINK THE WHEELCHAIR MOVES! if I cannot roll through it without scraping my arms it is not accessible
brick paths suck the end
gravel paths suck. make it smooth
a ramp is not accessible if it is too steep. not every wheelchair user is ripped enough or capable of using muscles enough to propel themselves up a steep angle safely. some wheelchair users have heart issues. you want heart attacks? this is how you get them
perfect 90 degree turns suck and are often impossible to turn through
some wheelchairs have foot rests. account for them
wheelchair accessible means wheelchair accessible while alone. if you expect someone to have to be helped out to use your facility, that is not acceptable or accessible
yeah
I dont use a wheelchair but I have a point to add to this: Is the fire exit wheelchair accessible? This matters even if there is another access point that is accessible. There are obvious safety implications, but even aside from the danger a disabled person might be in if there was a fire, they might not be able to come into the building at all.
I know someone who isnt allowed into their uni library - the main entrance is accessible but the uni wont let them in - because the fire exit has a small step. This is kinda ridiculous because in an emergency a wheelchair user could manage a small step (i mean here that it should be their decision about taking the risk, obviously the exit should be made accessible... which it hasnt... even though they've been here for like 5 years using that library...) but yeah also something to consider
