First, talk about the walk itself
Don’t assume what’s comfortable for the person, how long they want to walk, or what kind of help they need. Ask directly: “Where would you like to go?”, “What kind of route are you used to?”, “Would you like me to help with anything along the way?” The answer may depend on the type of wheelchair, experience, fatigue, weather, and the specific surface. Even someone who usually gets around independently may want help in one place and not need it somewhere else.
“I can offer help, but the wheelchair user decides whether they need it and what kind.”
Talk about the destination and format: a short loop near home, a walk to a café, or a route with stops. Agree from the start that you can change the plan, turn back, or take a break at any time. That’s not a failed walk—it’s a normal part of planning a route together.
- First ask where the person wants to go and what kind of help they would welcome.
- Check the entire route, including the way to the starting point and the return trip.
- Consider more than just curb cuts: check the surface, slope, width, and possible obstacles.
- Find places to rest in advance and prepare a backup option.
- Keep pace with the wheelchair user; never push their wheelchair without permission.
Check the whole route, not just the destination
A route may look accessible on a map but prove inconvenient in real life: the sidewalk ends, a parked car blocks a curb cut, or a smooth path gives way to loose gravel. Check the way from your meeting point to the start of the walk, all crossings, entrances to the park or café, and the return route. If part of the trip involves public transport, check separately whether the stop, boarding, and getting off are accessible.
- Is there a continuous route without stairs or high curbs?
- Are the curb cuts on the right sides of the crossing, and does the route avoid forcing you into the road?
- Is there enough room to pass poles, bins, advertising signs, and parked bicycles?
- Can you pass another person or turn around where the route is narrow?
- Is there an accessible restroom, café, or other place to stop along the way?
- Is it clear how to get back if the weather changes or someone gets tired?
Look at recent photos and reviews, but don’t treat them as a guarantee: roadworks, construction barriers, and street vendors can quickly change the situation. If the place is unfamiliar, call the park or venue; if you’re unsure, choose a route you’ve already checked. For more on different surfaces, see our guide to walking surfaces.
The authors reviewed 34 studies on slopes, cross-slopes, curbs, and surface types. The review shows why these features are worth considering when planning a route: obstacles are associated with additional physical effort for manual wheelchair users. This isn’t a ready-made assessment of how difficult a route will be for a particular person—their experience and abilities matter more than average findings.
Manual wheelchair biomechanics while overcoming various environmental barriers: A systematic reviewCheck the surface, slopes, and curb cuts
A firm, even surface is usually easier to assess in advance than sand, loose gravel, sticky mud, or a path with deep gaps between paving slabs. But “even” doesn’t mean “comfortable for everyone”: wheels, wheelchair type, handling, and personal preferences all matter. Ask which sections the person prefers to avoid. Don’t test an obstacle in their wheelchair for them or push them onto uneven ground “just to try it.”
| What to check | What could make the route harder | What to do in advance |
|---|---|---|
| Surface | Loose, slippery, or broken sections | Choose a firmer, continuous alternative |
| Slope | A long uphill stretch, cross-slope, or steep downhill | Ask the person whether that section works for them |
| Curb cuts | No curb cut, or one that’s too steep or blocked | Find a crossing with suitable curb cuts on both sides |
| Width | A narrow path, poles, or temporary barriers | Check for a way around or choose an alternative route |
| Rest stops | Nowhere to stop or shelter from the weather | Mark several accessible spots in advance |
Check curb cuts as part of the crossing, not as a separate feature: both sides matter, as do the direction of travel and where the sidewalk leads after you cross the road. Consider visibility and traffic lights, if there are any. Don’t suggest going down a curb or over a step just because you’re ready to steady the wheelchair: that maneuver may be uncomfortable or unsafe.
In a qualitative study of everyday trips, the authors describe how 14 wheelchair users experience accessibility as an ongoing process of adapting routes to changing conditions. A practical takeaway for your walk: information gathered in advance is useful, but the plan should allow for a detour, a break, or a change of route if the real situation differs from what you expected.
Wu Y. et al. Alignment Work for Urban Accessibility: A Study of How Wheelchair Users Travel in Urban SpacesKeep the route flexible and plan for rest
Don’t plan around distance alone or assume your usual pace will work. Even a short route can be tiring if it has lots of uneven ground, slopes, and tricky maneuvers. Research on sidewalk accessibility assessment also highlights the importance of segment length: a long stretch can affect how easy it is to get around, and the right route depends on the individual user’s abilities.
Mark places where you can stop without blocking the way: a bench with room to approach, a café with an accessible entrance, or a quiet spot in the park. Ask whether the person is comfortable transferring and using a particular venue; not every bench or patio is suitable for resting in a wheelchair. For a longer walk, choose a turnaround point in advance that makes it easy to head back.
- Find a main route with the most predictable surface.
- Prepare a shorter backup loop or route back.
- Mark accessible rest stops and a restroom, if needed.
- Check the weather and possible closures before you leave.
- Agree on a simple signal—for example, how the person will let you know they want a break or a change of plan.
Agree on pace and offer help without taking over
Don’t walk ahead or rush the person, but don’t automatically assume you need to go slowly either. Ask what pace works for them and stay close enough to talk comfortably. If your usual speeds are different, agree on meeting points and breaks in advance. You’ll also find tips in our article about walking with a partner at a different pace.
Offer specific help and leave the choice to them: “Would you like me to hold the door?” is better than grabbing the handles without asking. Don’t tilt, push, or turn the wheelchair without permission. Don’t touch the armrests, wheels, bag, or other belongings without asking: for the user, they’re part of their personal space and the way they control the chair. If they say no, accept their answer calmly.
Ask what kind of help they want If the person accepts your help, check how they’d like you to help—for example, holding a door, waiting at a crossing, or finding a way around. Don’t lift or tilt the wheelchair unless the user directly asks you to and gives clear instructions.
At crossings, don’t take control of the situation unless you’re asked to. You can point out a car, hold a door, or read a timetable, but ask first. A walk together shouldn’t turn the other person into a passenger in your decisions: they choose the route, when to stop, and what support to accept.
Before you leave: a quick check
A few minutes before you meet, go over the plan together: where you’ll meet, where you’re going, where you can rest, and what the backup route is. Check that your phone is charged and that you both know the return point. There’s no need to create a complicated route document—just agree on the things that can help avoid unpleasant surprises.
A simple plan for your walk Ask about preferences → check surfaces, curb cuts, and path width along the entire route → mark rest stops and a restroom → agree on pace and how to offer help → leave room to turn back.
If you discover during the walk that a section isn’t accessible, don’t look for someone to blame or insist on getting past the obstacle. Stop somewhere safe and decide together what works best: a detour, a short break, or heading back. Being flexible matters more than sticking to the original plan at all costs.
Frequently asked questions
Can I push the wheelchair uphill in advance?
Only if the person asks you to and explains what feels comfortable. First ask if they want help; don’t grab the wheelchair or change its direction yourself.
What should I do if there’s an unexpected high curb on the route?
Don’t immediately suggest lifting the wheelchair or going down the curb. Stop somewhere safe, point out the obstacle, and ask which option the person prefers: finding another curb cut, going around, or turning back.
How do I choose the right length for the walk?
Don’t decide the distance for someone else. Talk about how long they’d like to walk, their usual breaks, and a place to turn back. Consider not only the distance but also the surface, slopes, and number of difficult sections.
Should we always choose the shortest route?
No. A longer route with an even surface, convenient crossings, and places to rest may be preferable to a shorter route with curbs and narrow paths. Compare the options and choose the one that works for the person.
The key is to plan together
A route you’ve checked can reduce surprises, but it doesn’t replace a conversation with the person who’ll be using it. Ask what matters to them, check tricky spots in advance, keep a backup option, and offer help only with their consent. That way, you’ll share the walk—not just the direction, but the decisions too.
Sources
- 2022. Manual wheelchair biomechanics while overcoming various environmental barriers: A systematic review. PLOS ONE. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269657
- 2022. Wu Y. et al. Alignment Work for Urban Accessibility: A Study of How Wheelchair Users Travel in Urban Spaces. Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction. DOI: 10.1145/3555165
- 2025. Enhancing sidewalk accessibility assessment for wheelchair users: An adaptive weighting fuzzy-based approach. Heliyon. DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e41101
