Tips for wheelchair access in nature

This is an article I wrote today for Access Forest Church.

As a powered wheelchair user I have to do A LOT of research about every place I visit; whether that's a town, a museum, a nature reserve or the coast.

Many nature reserves have improved their accessibility over the last ten years which has made it much easier for wheelchair users to experience the natural world, but even then we need to research the facts before we head out.

As a forest church leader you can help wheelchair users by providing information about the accessibility of your location and details of routes you will use. 

There are five key access issues which are important to provide information about:

1. Parking
Is there disabled parking?
Does that car park have a solid surface? (gravel is impossible for wheelchairs)

2. Facilities
Are there wheelchair accessible toilets?

3. Step free access
Even one small step is impossible for a powerchair user though many manual chair users can cope ok with a very small step

4. Terrain
What is the terrain like?
Wheelchairs rely on the power of the user, pusher or motor; the terrain is a huge factor in what power is required and is therefore a limiting factor.

Terrain can be defined in the following categories:
Easy
- Pavement
- Tarmac
- Boardwalks

Medium
- Short grass
- Sturdy woodland paths
- Compacted gravel or sand

Hard
- Longer grass or fields
- Woodland paths
- Bridleways
- Dried mud

Impossible
- Sand
- Wet mud
- Loose Gravel


5. Gradient
What about the gradient?
Downhill: It is hard to explain just how vulnerable it feels to be going down a steep slope facing forwards in a wheelchair, you can easily feel like you are going to fall out. 

Uphill: it's all about how much power is required which limits access

Transverse: the camber of any path can have a huge impact on accessibility for wheelchair users. 

For example the blind bumps which are essential at road crossings for those with sight loss are often on drop curbs - trying to continue along a pavement where there is a dropped curb gradient is hard enough, where the blind bumps are also in place it can send wheelchairs straight into the road.

Relocate this example onto woodland paths with cambers and tree roots or a coastal path with lose gravel and stones and you get an idea of how difficult access can be in a wheelchair.

Gradient can be defined in the following categories:
Mostly flat
- Pavements
- Boardwalks
- Beachfronts
- Canal paths

A few ups and downs
- Woodland paths
- Cambers

Quite steep in places
- Hillsides
- Mountain paths
- Paths with tree roots


At most locations it should be possible to provide an alternative route for those who use wheelchairs.
Or, even better, you could provide an accessible main route with an alternative route for the more adventurous.