Types of barriers on the road for wheelchair users

markdougall

Hi everyone! 

I was wondering if you guys could input the types of barriers you encounter while traveling. It could be something like kerbs, steep ramps, or a narrow road. 

mikehughescq

The barriers for wheelchair users are remarkably,y similar to those for cane users and many others. I’d start with cars parking on pavements; poorly maintained pavements; advertising boards and poor quality tactile paving.

janer1967

Hi As a wheelchair user my main frustration is other people and their lack of awareness of the problems they are causing both to wheelchair users and prams.

Parking halfway over a pavement is my pet hate as you cant get past the car, parking over drop kerbs with double yellow lines on, repair work to pavements giving no alternative pathway to wheelchairs, uneven surfaces

If you use a manual wheelchair ramps are not really any help as it is too hard to propel yourself up and down them.

I could go on all day but wont bore you 

caitswildecake

Despite there being lifts at my college they were pretty small and cramped and there’s been times I’d show up and the lift is out of use so I wouldn’t get to my lesson 

Ronni

*dustbins left on foot paths.
*the red tile white brick sloping curb offer have a gutter.
*lack of sloping  curbs meaning you have go back the way you came and go on the road.
* people parking in front of sloping kerb.
*traffic lights with the button on the road side. (And those with lights facing wrong way)

newborn

I often need to go along the  road  because pavements are too difficult. 

christian96

Grass is my bugbear. 

mikehughescq

janer1967 said:

Hi As a wheelchair user my main frustration is other people and their lack of awareness of the problems they are causing both to wheelchair users and prams.

Parking halfway over a pavement is my pet hate as you cant get past the car, parking over drop kerbs with double yellow lines on, repair work to pavements giving no alternative pathway to wheelchairs, uneven surfaces

If you use a manual wheelchair ramps are not really any help as it is too hard to propel yourself up and down them.

I could go on all day but wont bore you 

There is s brilliant A4 sheet circulated by someone on Twitter which is an illustration of the width of an average wheelchair, a car and a pavement. Handy for leaving under windscreen wipers to make the point.

markdougall

Thank You all for the information 

littleacorn

Uneven pavements are causing me great discomfort and pain. I feel as though I am being constantly bounced back and forwards like someone is pushing and pulling you throughout my journey. I do wonder what damage this is doing to my body longterm. A bit like someone using a pnematic drill!

emmarenshaw

Kerbs, cracked pavements, too many kerbs and slopes that drag me onto the road. People sometimes blocking pavements. 

mousey

The biggest barrier for me (on my scooter but I'm getting a manual chair) is BINS! Combined with a car half parked on the pavement it's a nightmare. That, and too few dropped kerbs and then they're sometimes over an inch high!