This article is aimed at non wheelchair users as well as wheelchair users.  But the wheelchair users will know most of what is written here, whilst the majority of non wheelchair users will be pretty clueless. 

Do you think that anyone not in a wheelchair truly appreciates the accessibility issues?   

Thing like the difference between the heights of curbs on pavements can be a nightmare to navigate for a new wheelchair user (particularly manual wheelchairs, as power wheelchairs have a little bit of extra oomph).  That’s just the start of it. 

Travelling on a bus can be a task in itself, as some buses will drive straight past you if you are in a wheelchair, either because it is too full or not a disabled access bus.  On a lot of occasions the wheelchair space will be with someone’s tat, the owner of which, who doesn’t care that that space could be wanted by someone struggling to get into the centre of town. 

What about going to popular parks and tourist spots?  How many of these places cater properly for disabled access? Many of these places do cater for wheelchair users, but only if you phone them in advance to make sure that some help is on hand.  That and gravel paths don’t do wheelchair users any favors. 

Now non wheelchair users, have you read this post carefully?  None of these things will seem like daily challenges to you, but think about them and what it would feel like if you were in a wheelchair for just one day.  And next time you find a building, bus, pavement or tourist spot that doesn’t appear to have adequate disabled access, then please say something on a wheelchair user’s behalf.

We all get to that point, when shopping becomes a bit of a pain.  We do have the internet to help us, but we do not all ways need the amount in which we have to order, just to get a delivery from the shop we have ordered from.  We could drive to the shop I suppose, but not all of us can drive and some of us are more conscious of our environment anyway. 

So what would you think the answer to this conundrum is?  Well I think I have it, at least an idea to help with this problem.  Whether you are young, old or not quite able, then why not get a basket with wheels?  I don’t mean take a shopping trolley from the shop; I mean have your own piece of equipment that will allow you to carry your shopping home, without breaking your back. 

If you go to a site like gowheelchair.com you can find things like the Winnie Wagon.  This type of trolley or shopping basket on wheels, is perfect for carrying your shopping home without all the hassle of carrying bags.  The Winnie Wagon is just one type of wheeled carrying device, that is available to help people who don’t want to carry shopping. 

This particular model comes in a lightweight metal frame, that is sturdy and strong, the wheels are made from rubber and are of a size that enables you to travel over most surfaces, it folds away for convenient storage and the size of the basket itself is enough to carry most of your groceries, washing or any personal items you might wish to transport.   

There are also types of these baskets that have covers over them, either to give you some privacy as to what you are carrying, or just to keep the objects dry.  Whatever your choice of cart, have a look at gowheelchair.com to see if this idea is the one for you.