Mobility Accessibility

Welcome to Mobility Accessibility! Have you ever seen a person on a wheel chair? Well, if you have, that means you've seen a person with a mobility impairment. A mobility impairment is a disability that affects a persons movement from doing everyday regular activities. This can include difficulty walking or manipulating objects. But how can you approach a person who has a mobility impairment? Well, you're about to find out...

Did You Know?

As if 2022, 20.9 million people in the US had ambulatory disabilities (walking, etc.) - (ACS 2022). As if 2025, more than 12.2 percent of people have a mobility impairment.

How to approach a person who has a mobility disability?

Whenever you approach someone has a mobility disability, make sure to keep these in mind

DO's

  • Do speak at eye level if you are going to have a long conversation

  • Do be patient when the person is trying to say something or do achieve and action

  • Do respect the person's mobility device, such as a wheelchair, cane, or anything else

  • Do be mindful about the environment around you. If you see an obstacle, to be hesitant to move it out of the way for the person (if asked)

  • Do be clear in communication when moving the person in a wheelchair and cross-check if the direction that you are leading them is correct

  • Do ask before assisting (many people with disabilities want to be more independent)

DONT's

  • Don't move their mobility device without permission. Devices include canes, wheelchairs, etc.

  • Don't lean on the person's wheelchair or cane (or any other device that they have)

  • Don't use a patronizing language or tone (Don't talk to the person like their a child because that just makes the person feel more incapable)

  • Don't make assumptions of the person's ability. Some can walk short distances and others depend on devices like wheelchairs entirely

  • Don't block the person's path and be aware of their personal surroundings and space

If you want to learn more on mobility disabilities, make sure to check out the website below (Most of the information is from this website - https://otc-cta.gc.ca/eng/publication/best-practices-interacting-persons-disabilities-a-guide - link is attached in the button):

Do's and Don'ts

Technology

There are multiple technologies that can help a person with a mobility disability. Here are such AT's (Assistive Technology)

  • AT Keyboard-only Navigation

  • AT Mouth Stick and Head Pointer

  • AT Voice Recognition Software

  • AT Gaze Interaction

  • AT Switch Devices

Famous people with mobility impairments

Franklin D. Roosevelt Muhammad Ali Stephen Hawking

When you approach a person who has a mobility disability, it is important for you to be attentive to your surroundings. Make sure to help them if asked and be patient. Like all the different types of disabilities, make sure you make the person you are talking to feel more capable and independent.

On the bottom, you can click the button to see if how much you have learned!

Conclusion and Quiz

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