Getting around
Distance, steps, slopes and surfaces affect which routes and places are practical.
An everyday field guide
Spine and whole-body mobility
Spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis (MS), muscular dystrophy and other conditions can affect movement, balance, posture and positioning in varied ways. Needs may be stable or change over time.
Mobility support is about comfort, choice and access, not a hierarchy of how people move. Using a wheelchair can mean more freedom, not less.
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What it can involve
Everyone's experience is different. You might recognize some of these, all of them, or none.
Positioning and comfort
Seating and posture affect pain, skin health, breathing and energy.
Reaching controls
Light switches, doors and appliances may be out of reach or hard to operate.
Transfers
Moving between bed, chair, car and toilet may need equipment or assistance.
Tools to explore
Start with what you already have. Feature names vary by device and software version.
Already on many devices
- Voice assistants and smart-home apps to control lights, heating and plugs.
- Switch control and voice control for phones and computers.
- Maps with wheelchair-accessible route options, where available.
- Phone mounts that attach to wheelchairs or beds.
Low-tech and everyday
- Grab rails, reachers and lever-style handles.
- Portable ramps and threshold ramps.
- Transfer boards and turning aids.
- Rearranging rooms to keep everyday items within reach.
Specialist options
- Manual and powered wheelchairs, with individually assessed seating.
- Pressure-relief cushions and mattresses.
- Environmental control systems for doors, windows, beds and TVs.
- Hoists, standing frames and wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
Before you choose
- Has your seating been assessed by someone qualified?
- Will it fit through your doors, into your car and onto transport you use?
- Who repairs it, and how quickly, if it breaks?
- What's the backup if a powered device or smart control fails?
Costs, availability, compatibility, and suitability vary. Before paying, check trial options, ongoing fees, privacy settings, repair support, and whether a tool works with what you already use. A simple or free option may be the best fit.
Start small. Stay in charge.
Try one thing
Map one barrier
Note one place at home where reaching or moving is hardest.
Try a smart control
Put one lamp or appliance on a smart plug you can control by voice or app.
Plan one trip
Check access information for one regular journey, and contact the venue to confirm details.
Who can help
Support is optional and on your terms. Names and availability of services vary by country and region.
Wheelchair and seating service
Can assess, prescribe and adjust wheelchairs and seating.
Occupational therapist
Can advise on home adaptations, transfers and equipment.
Physiotherapist
Can help with posture, movement, strength and pain management.
Map access information can be outdated. Check important details with the venue or transport provider and plan alternatives where possible.