Sometimes we take it for granted that we can get around town unencumbered, but for people that are in wheelchairs, accessibility is a really big deal. That’s mostly because a lot of our public spaces are still very inaccessible to them!
Some countries, like the US, have laws that guarantee equal opportunities to public accommodations for those with disabilities. Unfortunately, just because someone says that it is so, doesn’t actually make it true.
These 35 outrageous handicap design fails from around the world show us just how much of a struggle it is for wheelchair users to go about their daily lives.
1. “This crosswalk for the handicapped”
The placement of this wheelchair ramp isn’t exactly the most ideal. Maybe the city designers thought that if the person in the wheelchair got a running start from a few feet back, they could jump over the concrete median!
@Pope_Vladimir_Roman:
“So my dad uses a wheelchair, and bullshit like this happens all the time.”
2. “How Is This Supposed To Work??”
The only explanation for this is that it’s a parking lot for wheelchairs. Unless you have a unicycle wheelchair that can squeeze between that tiny gap, there’s no way to get out.
3. Hardcore thrill-seekers only!
The left side of these stairs have been designated for wheelchair use only. This must be for those adventurous types who enjoy bouncing down the steps before they faceplant onto the cold, hard floor.
4. “If you aren’t already in a wheelchair, you will be after this.”
This wheelchair ramp is even crazier than the steps! But, if you can pass this strenuous obstacle course, then you’re ready to tackle Chichén Itzá in Mexico.
@Senttrix:
“This is elfin cove Alaska. Been there a few times on fishing trips. Can confirm this actually exists. If you are handicapped there’s no way you could live here. Behind the camera man is a railing followed by a drop into the water. Extra points for rolling through that too.”
5. They invited a guy in a wheelchair to talk about accessibility issues…
The guy in the wheelchair was supposed to give a talk on accessibility. But, it turns out he didn’t even have to give a speech – his struggle to get onto the stage without a ramp spoke for itself.
6. “Extreme wheelchairing!”
This must be a new sport for the upcoming 2020 Olympic Games. It’s a combination of bobsledding and skateboarding, but the goal here is to make it out alive.
@UnsubstantiatedClaim:
“If the fall off the cement slide doesn’t kill you, there’s always that brick wall to embrace.”
7. “Being handicapped in Cabo San Lucas is apparently an extreme sport.”
If you’re a thrill-seeker and love to travel, don’t miss this sports-tacular destination vacation in Cabo. For those who are a little bit on the wimpy side, fear not – there’s a large planter at the bottom to slow you down.
8. It’s a mad, mad Harry Potter world
Someone must have ripped off the sign that said this was Platform 9 and 3/4. Like Harry Potter, you’re actually supposed to run straight into the bricks.
9. “Epic fail when it comes to accessibility”
This bathroom is obviously for advanced wheelchair users only. I guess if you really have to go, you’ll figure it out.
@Peggy Hamilton:
“You know, just activate the hoverboard part on your wheelchair and tell Alexa to open the door!”
10. Don’t forget to downshift
This ramp was designed so that another person could help get the wheelchair down to the bottom. Unfortunately, if the wheelchair doesn’t come with a seat belt, the person sitting down is stuck holding on for dear life!
11. “Wheelchair friendly”
Ha ha, just kidding! Only athletes who can jump over the railing will be allowed entry into this shoe store.
@Mclovin2458:
“No shirt no legs no service.”
12. Get ready to jump!
I think they want you to hurl yourself out of your wheelchair so you can land right in front of your doorstep. It’s a good way to get in your daily exercise.
13. Mind the gap
Come on, what’s a few extra feet of air? Just turn on your wheelchair’s anti-gravity unit and quit complaining.
@Spiffytown:
“It looks perfectly functional for downhill use. Deposit upon lower level guaranteed.”
14. How low can you go?
Finally! An equal opportunity accessibility ramp for disabled folks who thought they’d never be able to dance again! They ought to be careful though – if they’re not quick enough doing the limbo on the way down, they’ll lose their head.
15. We’ll just borrow Billy Ray Bob’s motorcycle ramp.
Not surprisingly, the solution that the Portuguese government came up with was the cheapest one they could think of. They “installed” ramps that are normally used to load motorcycles onto the bed of pickup trucks.
“The Portuguese parliament had to become handicap accessible due to having one deputy on a wheelchair. This is the result.”
16. “Because f**k you for being in a wheelchair”
Don’t mind the wheelchair accessible “push to open door” button on the wall. That’s just there to make disabled folks feel even worse about not being able to use the restroom.
@JackalSix:
“My college has this sign on the first floor bathroom as well, and then when you go to the second floor bathroom it has a sign saying to use the first floor. I don’t understand what they want people to do.”
17. “Hospital which I work has these wheelchairs for the patients”
When you have limited resources, you have to work with what you have. This is actually an amazing piece of engineering for those who don’t have the funding to design a $4,000 wheelchair.
18. “For those who feel they aren’t quite handicapped enough…”
Are you feeling a little bit blue because you can’t get around on your own two feet? Well, here you go little birdie. Now you can fly!
19. “For disabled people on stilts”
Because disabled people can obviously use stilts. Why else would there be a handrail blocking their way down the stairs?
20. “Extreme wheelchairing”
Sorry, no regular foot traffic is allowed on these steps, it’s just not safe. Like the sign says, this is a wheelchair-only amusement ride!
21. “It’s just up the stairs”
Forget the problem of the stairs for a moment. Before a person in a wheelchair can even get near the bathroom, they first have to squeeze themselves through this very crowded maze of people and chairs.
22. Un-handicap yourself, silly!
So, who’s to blame here? The guy who installed a door that swings open the wrong way, or the guy who put the wheelchair ramp on the wrong side?
I guess it doesn’t really matter when they think that disabled folks can obviously just get up off their lazy bums and fold their wheelchair!
23. “This wheelchair ramp”
Sucks to be you if you can walk on two feet. This offroad ramp is only for wheelchair-wielding adrenaline junkies!
@abloobelt:
“For ex-skaters who still want the thrill of EMT’s surrounding them.”
24. “Access for disabled wheelchair users”
This is just an accident waiting to happen. If they’re going to make the grade this steep, they should also build a “runaway wheelchair ramp” to stop all the people who lose control of their vehicle.
@BrennanBr:
“Man that’s really dangerous. If he keeps that up he could wind up spending the rest of his life in a wheel– oh…”
25. Don’t let the door fool you.
Do you see the clear disposable cups on either side of the steps? That must be there for number one and number two.
26. “Hats off to the genius who installed this disabled access ramp”
This is actually for folks who miss taking the stairs, but still need the convenience and safety of ramps to get them most of the way up or down. Baby steps, people!
27. “At least wheelchairs can reach the first stair”
You didn’t really want to go all the way up to the top anyways, did you? Because that landing looks really narrow.
@Count_de_Ville:
“Because this is in China. I see it all the time. Someone told them they had to install it. No one told them it had to work.”
28. Watch your step!
It’s too dangerous to go down the stairs backwards in your wheelchair. If you’re not careful, you might end up in a wheelchair.
29. Survivor: Wheelchair Edition
Time to take off your training wheels! If you survive the first challenge bouncing down the steps, it’s all smooth sailing from there.
30. Tree, what tree?
Did construction crews screw up, or did the three sprout up out of nowhere? It doesn’t really seem to matter since no one has bothered to chop it down and fill in the gap.
31. VIP parking for wheelchairs
This rock star parking spot isn’t as amazing as it seems. Sure, it’s right near the entrance, but the staircase sort of ruins the mood.
32. Great Scotland Yard, Sherlock!
Just how long will it take for the detectives at Scotland Yard to spot the problem with this disabled persons entrance? Anyone can see that the answer to this mystery is stair-ing right at them!
33. Passive-aggressive wheelchair access
This establishment put a sign asking people to keep the area clear for wheelchairs. But, they also blocked the wheelchair ramp with that very same sign.
34. Hopscotch for wheelchairs
What, haven’t you ever seen a wheelchair athlete play hopscotch on the stairs? Just because they can’t walk doesn’t mean they can’t hop!
35. Ramp to nowhere, or…?
This must lead to one of those invisible doors that can only bee seen when there’s a full moon outside. When you say the magic password, a bouncer will appear and let you into a swanky wheelchair-inaccessible nightclub.
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