Wheelchair access is extremely important to allow those with disabilities to access any area without have to modify the way in which they typically move around. The government has taken appropriate steps in ensuring equal rights to everyone regardless of limitations. They enacted a Disability Rights Movement act that grant people with disabilities the right to access all aspects of economic, political and social life. This does not only mean physical access but it also means access to the various organizations, tools and facilities.

When a business or other public place has an area specified for wheelchair access it typically means, wheelchair ramps, elevators, restrooms that are accessible by a wheelchair and means to allow a disabled person to use the restroom. Additionally, this means as well that sidewalks with special corners, to allow a person within a wheelchair to be able to access roadways and other areas are created.

Many different countries have created laws and acts that make physical accessibility a requirement. For example, the United Kingdom, they created the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. The United States created the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Canada created the Ontarians with Disabilities Act of 2001. All of these acts were designed to improve the quality of life for those within wheelchairs and with other disabilities by enabling them to have access to all areas of the public.

For example, within the United State’s Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, it requires any newly constructed private or public business, but creates all areas in a way that will promote wheelchair access. Additionally, those that are existing are required to promote accessibility when performing any other types of renovations to the property.

Even the Transportation Security Administration has developed guidelines that are geared to help persons with disabilities have seamless travel experiences. For example, if you are confined within a wheelchair, they have gate passes for those who need assistance through security checkpoints. Additionally, even though most airlines have a limit on the number of carry-ons a person is allowed, they make exceptions for items like mobility aids (wheelchairs) or other assisting devices.

Airlines have also trained their security agents in various areas of assisting those with disabilities. They should be readily available to help you with your wheelchair or carry-ons through the checkpoints. It is important that you let security know if you do not have the ability to walk through detectors or stand in any way. If you make them aware of the exact disabilities, they can help you through in other manners in expedited means. If you have the ability to walk with assistance, the security agents are trained to help you do so.

Moreover, the agents are trained to pat you down if the event occurs that you cannot go through the detection devices on your own. If you feel uncomfortable with this, there are private areas in which the pat down can be performed. Always ask for assistance if you have trouble putting your own items on the belt of the x-ray machine.

You should be made aware, that when you are going through a security checkpoint that your wheelchair or mobility chair will have to be thoroughly inspected. The inspection is done both physically and visually. The agents perform what is called an ETD (explosive trace detection) sample. This is performed while you are still within your wheelchair, if you have the inability to get up from the mobility device. Under no circumstances should you be required to be transferred from your own wheelchair to a different one or have to be lifted out of it while the inspection is being performed.