Wheelchair users advice sort

SG2023

Looking for a consensus from wheelchair users, as a non wheelchair user working in accessibility, I've been told by workplace that a lift which is 75cm in depth is 'wheechair accessible' (this could impact on the provisions for wheelchair users if they cant use the lift). I don't want to condradict the health and safety team, but Document M and BS8300 seem to suggest the dimensions should be 140cm in depth. Is 75cm in depth and 132cm in width accessible for you?

Alex_Alumni

Hi @SG2023 and thanks for your query, it's a good one! As a wheelchair user myself I can say that my own chair would not fit into a lift with a depth of 75cm as it's about 85cm long.

I once stayed in hotel with a very old lift (I suspect of similar dimensions to the one your health and safety team suggest), and just managed to fit with difficulty, after many, many 3 point turns, and ended up slightly scratching the sides of my chair. At the time, there wasn't much of an option of anywhere else to stay, which was frustrating!

One other thing I will mention is that you should be taking into account the turning circle of a wheelchair, so that a wheelchair user can independently enter the lift, turn around inside, and come out facing forwards- it's much safer/easier than coming out backwards. 

I hope that's helpful for you, and please ask if we can help further  

DayDreamBeliever

75cm depth would not fit my wheelchair no. Have they taken into account the footplate/foot rests of wheelchairs? I've been in lifts where I've have to fold in my foot plate and push my feet under my seat because there is literally no space for the chair with a person actually in it. It also needs to be considered that sometimes a wheelchair user needs a companion with them and it would not be reasonable for them to use the lift alone.

And yeah as above, you need to consider the turning circle of a wheelchair. 

SG2023

thanks so much, as I suspected, it's maddening to think they thought it was accessible, but glad to have confirmed that it really isnt! thanks for the info, it's really helpful :-)

Alex_Alumni

You're welcome @SG2023 wishing you the best of luck with it all!