Wheelchair etiquette
NEVER touch someone’s chair unless given permission. This includes to help me in an (non-) emergency situations. We have a handler(s) to help us in most situations.NEVER pick us up out up out of our chair. It’s not cute or funny. It’s considering assault. A lot of us deal with chronic pain and don’t need somebody bear hugging us out of our equipment.NEVER push us out of the way if we are in your way. Ask us to move or go around.NEVER take our wheelchair when we’re not in it. There is no excuse. these chairs are very expensive not only to get however to fix. And it’s not exactly easy to find someone close to fix it let alone covering shipping if we had to take it somewhere else.NEVER hang things on any part of our wheelchair. If we don’t see it there is a chance it can fall and get caught in the wheel and that is very expensive damage.(this may not apply to everyone however it definitely applies to me) NEVER ask why we need the wheelchair. there is a very strong chance the reason is traumatic and we really don’t want to relive our trauma for the sake of your curiosity.NEVER call attention to a wheelchair user who can still walk. Ambulatory wheelchair users exist and make up 60% of all wheelchair users. Ambulatory means you still have mobility and can still walk or stand. This does not negate the fact that they need the wheelchair. There are a lot of factors that can go into needing a wheelchair and you being uneducated does not mean they have to suffer for you ignoranceNEVER ask to try a wheelchair users chair especially if you don’t know them. This is a little more understandable if you are close with them however they are medical equipment not toys. this obviously is not applicable if you need to try one because you are looking to get one to help. This is simply applicable to those who think it’s just fun to use oneNEVER kneel down to eye level just to talk to us. It is dehumanizing and it’s not appreciated. It’s pretty simple to direct your eyes downward to ours to speak to us
ART BY SCOUTPAWFOOT AND BADTIGER
What can you do?
it’s pretty simple what you can do whether being a handler or simply being around someone in a wheelchair.asking to touch our chair to help over a small bump or to get us somewhere. Getting us somewhere is mostly only applicable for handlers who know how to address the situation. Being respectful and not bringing up trauma toward the wheelchair user especially in public spaces where we are just trying to enjoy ourselves. directing your eyes down rather than kneeling down to speak to us is also a good start. We are not animals even if we dress up as some. knowing your place and not asking to take our wheelchairs for a joyride and especially not using it as a coat hanger or anything else like that is always appreciated. inquiries about our chair such as what model it is and sometimes how much it cost can be told especially if you’re looking to get one yourself because you need one. educating yourself especially with the fact that not all wheelchair users are paralyzed and asking wheelchair users you know for more education on subjects is even better. It’s also not hard to Google certain things to learn more yourself if the wheelchair user person you know does not feel like touching on the subject.