where wheelchair users and BIID/transabled unite!

Going Up and Down an Escalator

GOING UP

Facing forward, position yourself to make sure your rear wheels are wedged between the two steps (i.e. not teetering on the edge of one) – this will happen naturally or you will fall. Make sure that if you’re practicing for the first time, get somebody to stand behind you. You can hang on with one or two hands. When you get to the top of the escalator, keep hanging on and let the moving handrail PULL you over the lip at the top of the escalator.

Key to this trick: If all else fails, never let go!

Going Up an Escalator Video

GOING DOWN

Facing backward, roll onto the escalator as if you were going to bump down some stairs backwards. Remember to hold onto the rail as tightly as possible (with one hand or two) & if you’re practicing for the first time, to have somebody stand behind you. When you get to the bottom, again hang onto the rail, lean forward, and push with your rail-holding hand to make sure your chair rolls over the lip at the bottom and doesn’t get stuck.

Going Down an Escalator Video

This entry was posted in Wheelchair Tips and tagged , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Comments are closed.