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Overcoming Wheelchair Accessibility Challenges – Brandon Beack

Life after the Accident: Brandon Beack’s Journey

After a life-changing gymnastics accident Brandon Beack said that physical activity helped rehabilitate him from a quadriplegic to a participant for the Paralympics. Adapting to being in a wheelchair was challenging, as we all learnt!

Social and Infrastructural Barriers Faced by Wheelchair Users

These social and infrastructural barriers impede the lives of wheelchair users every day.

  • Dirty Hands and Blisters. …
  • Restless Drivers Honking. …
  • No Ramp or Inaccessible Ramps. …
  • Narrow Doorways. …
  • Small But Important Details. …
  • The Elevator Race. …
  • The Reserved Parking Spots. …
  • Public Transportation Barriers.

The Accessibility Reality Check: Visiting a Coffee Shop, Navigating Obstacles

Brandon Beack demonstrating accessibility challenges for wheelchair users
Brandon guiding Martin, how to lift his wheelchair over bump – lifting the wheels sufficiently without falling backwards – not that easy!

Brandon’s demonstration on Friday, with Martin alongside in an additional wheel chair, brought home vividly the many challenges faced to just visit a coffee shop, sit and eat, find a toilet cubicle big enough, parking (when bays are used by those who don’t need the extra space for a wheelchair) moving a wheelchair on gravel, mounting uneven ground. For those who have developed strong muscles relatively easy. For those who are frail, a huge obstacle to their independence. Thank you Brandon for sharing and illuminating these challenges with us.

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