Wheelchair etiquette and why people aren’t “wheelchair bound”: In celebration of International Wheelchair Day 2021
Every year on March 1st, the positive impact wheelchairs have on people’s lives is celebrated around the world for International Wheelchair Day. You can learn more about this event here. To help celebrate, we’re sharing some information with you about wheelchairs and wheelchair users.
It’s important to know there are many people who use wheelchairs and can also walk. They use a wheelchair sometimes, or often, or most of the time, because it's easier, less exhausting or less painful than walking. These folks are often known as ambulatory wheelchair users.
Types of wheelchairs
There are many alterations available to each kind of wheelchair (for example, the type of wheel, if there are handles for an attendant to push or not, the kind of joystick…) within these three main categories of wheelchairs:
Manual wheelchairs are propelled by hand by the user, or pushed by an attendant. One-handed manual wheelchairs are available too!
Power wheelchairs rely on batteries (and therefore need to be charged… so charging stations in the community are really helpful!). They are often controlled by a joystick, but can be driven by switches activated by head movements or through sip and puff controls if someone doesn’t have hand or arm function.
Sports or adaptive wheelchairs are heavily modified, specially designed wheelchairs for a particular sport. Beach wheelchairs are usually made entirely of plastic (so the salt water can’t corrode any metal pieces), and have really wide tires so they’re easier to maneuver on sand. Wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby chairs, for example, have their wheels angled in at the top to create a wider and more stable base, so the user is less likely to tip over when driven into by other players. Adaptive mountain bikes often have three wheels and position the rider in a more flat, position (rather than seated upright) for more stability and control when riding on mountain bike trails.
Wheelchair words
Words are important, and can signal much more than you might think to the people who hear or read them. To learn more about words related to disability and birding, read our Inclusive Language Use page.
The term “wheelchair bound” implies that the person is restricted, bound, helpless and completely defined by their wheelchair. This isn’t true, and is very disempowering language. A wheelchair is a mobility device, like a skateboard, car or bus — you wouldn’t describe a car driver as “car bound”! Wheelchairs enable people to move around more easily than if they didn’t have a wheelchair — in fact, wheelchair users are the opposite of being “bound” by their wheelchair! Say “wheelchair user” or “someone who uses a wheelchair” instead.
Power wheelchairs should not be referred to as “electric wheelchairs”, because of the connection to the electric chair used for capital punishment, and the history of eugenics and people with disabilities being killed to “purify” the human race. Call it a “power wheelchair” instead.
Wheelchair etiquette
Treat others as you would like to be treated is a good guide to use when interacting with someone who uses a wheelchair. Would this feel OK to me if I was a wheelchair user and someone did this?
Never touch, push or lean on someone’s wheelchair without their approval. A wheelchair is part of someone’s personal space, and an extension of their body. You wouldn’t want someone to just randomly lean on you while you’re deciding on which pasta to buy at the supermarket. And for sure you wouldn’t appreciate someone coming up from behind you and just start pushing you. How uncomfortable and inappropriate would that be?!
Speak directly to the wheelchair user if you’re asking them a question. If they have some kind of communication disability (due to a stoke, perhaps, or an intellectual disability), they’ll likely be good at communicating that to you. If there’s someone with them, follow their lead… but always start by addressing the person you’re talking to, and don’t talk over or around them like they’re not there. (No one likes that…)
Offer help if you see a wheelchair user appearing to struggle (maybe going up a really steep ramp), but be prepared to graciously accept ‘no’. Often wheelchair users don’t need (or want) help, or they may have a way to open and get through doors on their own… and your well-intentioned efforts may just get in their way. Don’t get upset or offended if they say ‘no’; instead, smile, say “No worries! Have a great day!” and move on. If they say ‘yes’, you need to ask how they would like help — do not assume you know what to do. Wheelchair users are the experts here, and each person will have a preference and be able to direct you to the best way for you to provide them with assistance.
Don’t stare at a wheelchair user, even if they do something you don’t expect, like stand up and walk up stairs. No body wants to be stared at.
If you’re a wheelchair user, we’d love to hear if you have anything you think we should add to this. Contact us to let us know! And if you’re not a wheelchair user, we hope you found this information helpful, and now feel more comfortable interacting with wheelchair users when out birding (or while doing anything else!). If in doubt, ask with kindness — or Google it, if you can find the answer out that way.
Don’t forget, you have to be intentionally inclusive…. because birding is for everybody and every body!
