Things to know about outdoor wheelchairs and How They Transform Daily Life

6 Top Benefits of Outdoor Wheelchairs

1. Access to Places You Never Thought Possible

The most obvious benefit of outdoor wheelchairs is they can go where standard chairs can’t. This includes:

• Sandy beaches

• Woodland trails

• Countryside paths

• Parks and gardens with uneven terrain

• Mountain trails

• Snow-covered areas (with specialist models)

Research from the Countryside Agency shows 65% of wheelchair users would visit natural areas more often if they had suitable equipment. Outdoor wheelchairs bridge the gap, so you can explore beautiful landscapes that would otherwise be off-limits.

2. Better Mental Health and Wellbeing

Better Mental Health and Wellbeing Getting out into nature isn’t just refreshing—it’s a proven way to support better mental health. A 2019 study in the British Journal of Health Psychology found 20 minutes of nature contact reduced stress hormone levels.

For wheelchair users who can get outdoors with all-terrain chairs, these benefits include:

• Reduced stress and anxiety

• Improved mood

• Feeling more connected to nature

• More freedom

• Less isolation, Angela Taylor, a wheelchair user from Leeds, says: “My outdoor wheelchair changed everything. I was stuck indoors so much my mental health was suffering. Now I can go to the park with my grandkids and even join family walks in the Lake District. The difference in my mood is like night and day.”

3. Physical Health

Being outdoors regularly contributes to physical health and outdoor wheelchairs make this possible for people with mobility needs. Users report:

• Improved cardiovascular health from being more active

• Better respiratory function from fresh air

• Higher vitamin D levels from sunlight

• Stronger upper body (for manual all-terrain chair users)

• Better sleep patterns

The NHS recommends everyone, including wheelchair users, should be active daily. Outdoor wheelchairs make this achievable.

4. Independence

One of the best things about outdoor wheelchairs is the independence they give you. You can:

• Go anywhere without constant help

• Join outings without planning ahead

• Travel further with less worry about access

• Participate more in family activities

According to a Disability Horizons survey, 78% of outdoor wheelchair users said they felt more independent after getting their chair, 82% could do more activities with friends and family.

5. Social Inclusion and Participation

Outdoor wheelchairs break down barriers to:

• Family days out and holidays

• School trips

• Community events in outdoor settings

• Team sports and group activities

• Outdoor hobbies like fishing, photography and birdwatching

John Barnes who uses an electric outdoor wheelchair says: "Before I got my all-terrain chair I’d often be left behind when friends went hiking. Now I join them on most trips. It’s changed how I interact with everyone – I’m no longer the person who can’t come along."

6. Adventure and Recreation Opportunities

With the right outdoor wheelchair you can do things you thought were impossible:

• Beach days and swimming

• Camping trips

• Fishing expeditions

• Wildlife watching

• Photography outings

• Adapted outdoor sports

The growth of accessible tourism in the UK has been supported by outdoor wheelchair technology, more adventure companies now offer experiences for wheelchair users with the right equipment.

Types of Outdoor Wheelchairs

Different environments need different designs. Here’s a breakdown:

Beach Wheelchairs

Designed for sand with:

• Extra wide balloon tyres that float on sand not sink

• Rust resistant materials for saltwater environments

• Often waterproof seating

All-Terrain Manual Wheelchairs

For general outdoor use with:

• Robust frames that can take bumps

• Larger wheels with deep treads

• Enhanced braking systems

• Lightweight but durable construction

Powered Off-Road Wheelchairs

Electric models with:

• Motor assisted movement over rough terrain

• Longer battery life for longer trips

• Adjustable power settings for different landscapes

• Often with joystick controls

Mountain Trikes

Specialised three wheeled designs with:

• More stability on slopes

• Leaning mechanism for turns

• Powerful braking systems

• Often hand powered for upper body workout## Real-Life Impact: Case Studies

The Williams Family

The Williams family from Cardiff never took holidays together as a family because of their son Tom’s wheelchair needs. After getting a beach wheelchair they’ve had three coastal holidays in Wales and Cornwall.

“The first time Tom felt the sea on his feet while sitting in his beach chair he cried with joy,” says his mum Sarah. “These moments are priceless and wouldn’t be possible without the right equipment.”

Mountain Access Charity

The Lake District Mobility project loans all-terrain wheelchairs to visitors, opening up England’s most famous national park to wheelchair users. Their impact report shows they facilitated over 500 previously impossible outdoor adventures in 2023 alone.

Project coordinator Emma Davies says: “We’ve had users in their 80s reaching mountain viewpoints they never thought they’d see. The emotional impact is huge.”

Choosing an Outdoor Wheelchair

When choosing an outdoor wheelchair consider:

1. Terrain - Different models are best for different terrain

2. Manual or powered - How strong are you, how much stamina do you have and what’s the terrain

3. Transport - Some fold for car transport, others need adapted vehicles

4. Weather - For UK use waterproofing is key

5. Comfort - Suspension matters for rough terrain

6. Cost and funding - Prices vary greatly but grants may be available

Overcoming the Challenges

While outdoor wheelchairs are brilliant, users still face:

• Cost barriers - Good quality models are a big investment

• Transport - Moving large wheelchairs requires suitable vehicles

• Maintenance - More complex than standard chairs

• Weather - Even the best chairs have limits in extreme conditions

The Countryside for All initiative is working to address some of these challenges through improved access and facilities.