Using a wheelchair

This information applies to England and Wales.

When you get a new wheelchair, powerchair or mobility scooter you need to know how to:

• use it safely
• keep it running well

How to get a wheelchair

Learning wheelchair skills can build your confidence when you want to get out and about. There are free training videos online.

The Wheelchair Skills College (YouTube)

Power wheelchair and manual wheelchair skills (Whizz-Kidz)

Your local NHS wheelchair service or private supplier may be able to suggest courses.

The charity Whizz-Kidz offers wheelchair skills training courses for people aged 2 to 25.

Wheelchair skills training (Whizz-Kidz)

You can also look on forums and Facebook groups. Other people with the same wheelchair may share tips about how they use theirs.

If you support someone in a wheelchair, ask their GP, social worker or local wheelchair service if there’s training for carers.

When you start using a wheelchair, there can be many changes to get used to, both physically and emotionally.

Following other wheelchair users on social media is a good way to get reassurance and advice.

Physical barriers and getting around

Some things make it harder to get around in a wheelchair. These include:

• crooked or broken pavement slabs or potholes
• rubbish or wheelie bins blocking pavements or driveways
• cars parked on pavements or over dropped kerbs (a section of kerb that’s lower)

If something’s blocking the pavement, the only option might be to move into the road. Take care if you do this.

Navigating uneven streets and camber (the slopes in a road or pavement) in a wheelchair (Wheelsnoheels, YouTube)

You might find that moving your wheelchair on grass is difficult.

You can report most issues to your local council. For example:

• problems with pavements or uncut grass
• when someone parks their car illegally over a dropped kerb
• if bins are blocking access to your home

Find your local council (GOV.UK)

Write to your MP about:

Pavement parking (Disabled Motoring UK)

Travelling by car

To help you get in and out of a car, you could try:

• boards
• lifting belts
• leg lifters
• hoists

Car ramps and access aids (Independent Living)

Many wheelchairs fit into cars, but it can depend on the:

• type and size of wheelchair
• size of car

There are also hoists to load your wheelchair into a car.

Wheelchair-accessible vehicles mean you can travel without moving out of your wheelchair. You may be able to convert some cars and vans.

Adapting your vehicle (Motability)

Find out if you’re eligible to join Motability (Motability)

Using public transport in a wheelchair

By law, all public transport providers must provide an accessible service.

Transport for disabled people

Going by bus (Driving Mobility)

You may need support when you travel by train. If so, it’s best to book assistance with the train company before you go.

Book Passenger Assistance (National Rail)

Using public transport with a mobility scooter

If you want to take your mobility scooter on a train, the rules can vary depending on your train company.

List of mobility scooter rules for each operator (National Rail)

Tips for transporting a mobility scooter by train (Passenger Assistance)

Getting a wheelchair-accessible taxi

In larger cities, licensed taxis must be wheelchair accessible. This means they have a ramp or lift for you to get in and out. They should also have space:

• for you to sit securely in your wheelchair
• or to carry your wheelchair while you sit in a passenger seat

If you live in a rural area or away from a larger city, it’s sometimes harder to find wheelchair-accessible taxis. Ask local taxi companies if they have any.

You can also contact your local council’s taxi licensing office. It must keep a list of wheelchair-accessible vehicles in your area.

Find your local council (GOV.UK)

Book your journey a few days in advance if you can. It should not cost you more to travel in a taxi or minicab as a wheelchair user.

Taxis and minicabs (GOV.UK)

Using taxis (Driving Mobility)

Storing a wheelchair

The best place to store your wheelchair, powerchair or mobility scooter is in your home. This is to protect it from damp and cold weather that can cause damage.

You could also keep it in a garage or shed. If this is not possible and you need to store it outside:

• cover it with a wheelchair cover or tarpaulin
• use a strong lock to keep it as safe as possible

If you got your chair through your local NHS wheelchair service, check if they have rules against storing it outside.

You may be eligible for home adaptations because of your wheelchair.

Getting home adaptations

If your wheelchair folds up, you can use a wheelchair storage bag. These can also be useful if you’re travelling and need to transport your chair. You may need to take off any footrests or footplates and store them separately.

Wheelchair accessories

You might want to buy accessories for your wheelchair or mobility scooter not provided by the NHS. These can make daily tasks easier and more comfortable. For example:

• a wheelchair rain cover
• wheel covers
• a walking stick clip
• cosy toes or wheelchair cosy
• pannier or tiller bag (a small bag on the front of a scooter)
• portable ramp or wheelchair ramp for a car

People on the Scope online community talk about places to buy these.

Ideas of where to buy assistive equipment

You can also search online for mobility shops.

Personal health budgets might cover accessories for your wheelchair. This is NHS money you receive to pay for your health and wellbeing needs. Ask your healthcare professional, like your OT or physio, for more information.

What is a personal health budget? (NHS)

Wheelchair-friendly clothing

Clothes designed for wheelchair users can be more comfortable and make it easier to get dressed and undressed.

Adaptive clothing includes:

• trousers with elasticated waists, high backs and longer leg lengths
• skirts that open at the front
• jackets with magnetic zips

There is also a lot of outdoor clothing for wheelchair users. Search online for ‘wheelchair-friendly clothing’ or ‘adaptive fashion’.

Adaptive clothing (Disability Horizons)

You could also adapt other clothes to suit your needs. Or ask someone if they can do this for you.