International Wheelchair Day isn’t about sympathy. It’s about visibility, independence and removing the barriers which don’t need to exist.

Most of the access issues which wheelchair users like me face aren’t dramatic or complicated. They’re small design choices, habits and oversights that quietly makes life harder than it needs to be.

In this blog, I’m going to share some of these issues and how they can be fixed – small changes really can make a huge difference.

Temporary Obstacles Are Often the Real Barrier

Navigating around a shop where special offers and promotional displays spill into the aisles can turn a simple shopping trip into a frustrating obstacle course. Cluttered aisles don’t just inconvenience – they exclude.

Many shops these days are accessible – until every day clutter makes the space near-on impossible to navigate. My anxiety increases as I try to get around whilst trying so hard not to knock anything over.

All of this is entirely preventable if aisles are kept clear.

Accessibility Isn’t Just about Doorways

A doorway can meet access guidelines and still be unusable.

If there’s no space to turn once inside, if furniture blocks movement or if further doors become an obstacle, access simply stops.

Accessibility isn’t just about getting in, it’s about being able to get around once you’re in.

Ask before helping

It can be really unsettling when people try to grab my wheelchair or try to move me when I’m in my manual wheelchair. A wheelchair is personal space. It’s my mobility and independence.

Most wheelchair users are capable of saying if we need help so please just ask!

Don’t Make Assumptions

Sometimes when I arrive somewhere, someone immediately removes a chair from the table to “make space.” And while I understand the intention, it’s an assumption.

Because sometimes I might want to transfer. Sometimes sitting in a standard chair is more comfortable. Sometimes it’s easier for conversation. Sometimes it simply feels nice not to be in my wheelchair for a while.

When a chair disappears without anyone asking, the decision has already been made for me.

Inclusion isn’t about anticipating what you think someone needs. It’s about creating options — and asking.

A simple, “Would you like this chair here as well?” makes all the difference. It keeps the choice with me.

Accessible Toilets are not Storage Rooms

The amount of times I’ve gone to use an “accessible” toilet, only to find it’s been used as a storage cupboard, is honestly exhausting – because when that space is blocked, there’s no back up plan and what should an accessibility feature, suddenly becomes yet another barrier.

So please make sure your accessibility features are fit for purpose.

Speak to the Person

This one seems obvious – and yet. If I’m with someone, it doesn’t mean they are my spokesperson. So please talk directly to the wheelchair user and if possible, get on their level so you have eye contact.

Wheelchairs don’t remove intelligence, humour or the ability to answer a question.

Independence is the Goal

International Wheelchair Day is often framed around celebration — and that’s important. My wheelchair gives me access to work, travel, events and everyday life.

But if I had to choose one thing to focus on, it would be this:

The biggest improvements don’t usually require huge budgets or dramatic redesigns.

They require awareness.

And awareness turns into small adjustments.

And small adjustments create independence.

That’s worth recognising.