What are Mobility Aids?
Mobility aids is a collective term for anything that helps someone move between two places. This definition is broad for a reason. Everyone who uses a mobility aid will use it slightly differently, and many people combine mobility aids to create a custom solution.
Examples of mobility aids include (but are not limited to):
- Manual Wheelchairs
- Power Wheelchairs
- Walkers
- Canes
- Braces
- Crutches
- Trekking Poles
- Service Dogs
- Golf Carts
The sheer variety of options and the development of new ones ensure that new combinations may appear at any time.
A Note on Mobility Aid Etiquette
It is considered impolite to touch someone’s mobility aid, especially without asking the person using it. That means you should never come up behind a wheelchair and start to push, move a walker out of the way, or insist someone leave their mobility aid behind (barring an emergency).
It is also impolite to assume that because someone is using mobility aids that they are not in full control of their faculties. Please endeavor to speak to anyone using mobility aids as you would an able-bodied person of similar characteristics.
Referring to People Who Use Mobility Aids
In many cases, person first language is preferred among people who use mobility aids. This is exemplified in person in a wheelchair or person who uses a walker. The devices themselves may be referred to in the possessive, for example, Adam’s leg braces.
Some people will have differing opinions on this. If you have any doubts, it’s best to ask the person in question about their preferences.
Creating an Accessible Environment for People Who Use Mobility Aids
Choose Accessible Venues
Accessible venues play a critical role in whether someone can participate in SFI. Unfortunately, the law makes exceptions in the United States and other countries, so some venues are not required to be accessible.
Accessible venues have smooth parking lots, wide doors (hopefully with push button openers), no stairs or working elevators, limited thresholds, disabled toilets with at least 5 feet of space in the stall, and wider hallways. For a comprehensive list, check out this webpage from Cornell University.
While buildings are a big concern, you can still have an accessible venue outdoors. Hard-packed dirt paths and well-maintained cement or asphalt are navigable for most mobility aids, including wheelchairs.
Limit Potential Obstacles
Once you have a venue for a chapter meeting, it’s also important to consider how you set up the room. With seating, you need enough space for a wheelchair to pass comfortably in any aisle, not just a single one. If a wheelchair can pass, so can almost any other type of mobility aid. Give at least five feet of space in the aisle when in doubt.
Additionally, it’s important to limit potential obstacles you may have put in to run your event. For example, power cords may be necessary for equipment, but they should not pass through the center of the room where someone could trip over it. If it’s unavoidable, secure them with a bright tape color so they’re as visible as possible.
Plan for Accessible Sightlines
Any mobility aid can alter the sightlines for the person using it, though wheelchairs tend to create the biggest effect. Often, wheelchair seats are lower than standard chairs. That means someone in a wheelchair may not be able to see over the people around them or have a good viewing angle since their eye level is different from the rest of the room.
One option is to designate accessible seating where you have specifically planned sightlines to compensate. Another option is to provide handouts so that the sightline is less critical to your chapter meeting or presentation.
Designate Volunteers
SFi is made up of volunteers, and you may need to tap the potential to create an accessible event for people with mobility aids. For example, if a venue is mostly accessible but has no push-button entry, a volunteer could be stationed there to ensure everyone can come in safely.
If you plan to use volunteers to compensate for accessibility flaws in a venue, please ensure the volunteers understand the importance of what they’re doing. If possible, assign it to a small team so that there isn’t a lapse in coverage.
Feel like this guide is missing something? Let us know at sfcoa@sfi.org.
Want to know more about accessible communication? Check out Accessible Communication 101.