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Introduction to Mobility Disabilities

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Summary

Section titled “Summary”

People with mobility disabilities have access needs that affect how they move through physical spaces and use products, tools, and services. These needs include using mobility aids, step-free routes, specific features in buildings and facilities, or requiring more time to move from place to place. needs also affect how people navigate digital tools, participate in events, and use transportation in their daily lives.

Overview

Section titled “Overview”

Mobility disabilities affect how people move their bodies or travel from one place to another. These disabilities may be permanent, temporary, or situational, and can range from using a wheelchair or cane to experiencing limited stamina or chronic pain.

Mobility disabilities are often physical, but they also connect to communication and digital access. For example, people may need information about the accessibility of spaces or services before attending an event or visiting a building.

Common needs for people with mobility disabilities include:

  • Being able to move freely and safely through environments
  • Being able to reach and use physical features, tools, and products
  • Being able to use and store mobility aids
  • Having step-free or ramp access
  • Having enough space to maneuver or turn around
  • Being able to rest as needed
  • Having access to accessible transportation, entrances, restrooms, and seating

These disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
  • Arthritis
  • Cancer
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Chronic pain or fatigue disorders
  • Limb differences or amputation
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Pregnancy
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Temporary conditions, such as injury recovery or post-surgical healing

Access needs for people with these disabilities can vary. This article discusses the following specific needs, as noted in useable:

  • Ambulation and movement
  • Balance and coordination
  • Limited stamina or endurance
  • Accessible routes and surfaces
  • Seating and rest needs
  • Accessible tools and devices
  • Transportation and transit

Each is listed with examples of needs and common ways to support them.

Ambulation and Movement

Section titled “Ambulation and Movement”

This category includes people who:

  • Use mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, scooters, or canes
  • Have limited use of their legs, feet, arms, or spine
  • Cannot walk or can only walk for limited amounts of time or in limited circumstances
  • Cannot stand or can only stand for limited amounts of time or in limited circumstances
  • Need to move in specific ways due to pain, stiffness, or neurological conditions

People with these needs often benefit from:

  • Step-free entrances, ramps, and elevators
  • Wide, smooth pathways and doorways
  • Lowered surfaces such as sinks, counters, and desks
  • Clear signage and space to maneuver

Learn more from Accessible Routes and Paths (Ta11y) and useable: mobility.

Balance and Coordination

Section titled “Balance and Coordination”

This category includes people who:

  • Have difficulty maintaining balance or controlling movements
  • Are at risk of falling or colliding with obstacles
  • Need support from stable surfaces, handrails, or assistants when moving

People with these needs often benefit from:

  • Level flooring without sudden changes or tripping hazards
  • Secure handrails on stairs and ramps
  • Sturdy, stable furniture and railings
  • Avoiding slick or uneven surfaces

Learn more from useable: mobility, Handrails (Ta11y), and Accessible Routes and Paths (Ta11y)

Limited Stamina or Endurance

Section titled “Limited Stamina or Endurance”

This category includes people who:

  • Experience fatigue, pain, or limited strength after walking, standing, or exerting effort
  • Cannot move long distances without rest
  • Need time to recover between movements
  • Cannot stand or sit for long periods of time

People with limited stamina often benefit from:

  • Rest areas and seating throughout a space
  • Accessible transportation or parking close to entrances
  • Flexible scheduling and hybrid or virtual options for events and meetings
  • Step-free routes without steep slopes

Learn more from Accessible Routes and Paths (Ta11y), Surfaces (Ta11y), and useable: mobility.

Accessible Routes and Surfaces

Section titled “Accessible Routes and Surfaces”

This category includes people who:

  • Need level, step-free, and barrier-free routes to move safely
  • Require space to use wheelchairs, scooters, or other mobility devices
  • Need accessible routes of travel between areas

People with these needs often benefit from:

  • Smooth, non-slip, and continuous surfaces
  • Ramps or elevators wherever stairs are present
  • Automatic or push-button doors
  • Clear floor plans with wide routes and turning space

Learn more from Common-Use Areas (Ta11y), Accessible Indoor In-Person Events (Ta11y), Accessible Outdoor In-Person Events (Ta11y), and useable: mobility.

Seating and Rest Needs

Section titled “Seating and Rest Needs”

This category includes people who:

  • Need to sit frequently or for long periods
  • Cannot stand in line or wait without support
  • Require specific seating types, such as chairs with arms or adjustable height

People with these needs often benefit from:

  • Seating in public areas, workplaces, and events
  • Priority or reserved seating
  • Adjustable desks and furniture
  • Waiting areas with space for mobility aids

Learn more from Common-Use Areas (Ta11y) and useable: Mobility.

Accessible Tools and Devices

Section titled “Accessible Tools and Devices”

This category includes people who:

  • Use mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers, or crutches
  • Use assistive devices such as grabbers, reachers, or adaptive keyboards
  • Require accessible workstations, kitchens, or restrooms

People with these needs often benefit from:

  • Space to store and maneuver with devices
  • Accessible controls, switches, and handles
  • Adjustable or adaptable tools and furniture

Learn more from Accessible Home Restrooms (Ta11y) and useable: Mobility.

Transportation and Transit

Section titled “Transportation and Transit”

This category includes people who:

  • Rely on accessible public transportation or paratransit
  • Need vehicle modifications to drive
  • Cannot drive, or can only drive in limited circumstances
  • Require time, space, or assistance when boarding or exiting

People with these needs often benefit from:

  • Step-free boarding and ramps
  • Accessible seating and securement areas
  • Accessible parking and drop-off zones
  • Advance scheduling or guaranteed space for mobility devices
  • Access to public transportation

Learn more from Accessible Outdoor In-Person Events (Ta11y) and useable: Mobility.

Accessibility Impacts

Section titled “Accessibility Impacts”

Mobility accessibility impacts are primarily physical. For example:

  • A person may be unable to enter a building without a ramp at the entrance .
  • Another may not be able to reach a counter, if there is not an accessible route to the counter.
  • Someone else may need to sit during long meetings or events.

Lack of accessible routes, restrooms, or seating can prevent people with mobility disabilities from attending events, working, or taking part in everyday activities.

Learn more from Accessible Routes and Paths (Ta11y), Accessible Public Restrooms (Ta11y), Accessible Indoor In-Person Events (Ta11y), Accessible Outdoor In-Person Events (Ta11y), and useable: mobility.

Supporting Methods

Section titled “Supporting Methods”

General Guidelines

Section titled “General Guidelines”
  • Follow established physical accessibility standards for entrances, routes, restrooms, and seating.
  • Choose and maintain spaces that meet or exceed accessibility requirements.
  • Ensure wide pathways, smooth surfaces, proper slopes, and accessible seating.
  • Offer flexibility in how and where people move, rest, or participate in events.
  • Include people with mobility disabilities in planning, design, and testing.

Learn more from Accessible Routes and Paths (Ta11y), Accessible Public Restrooms (Ta11y), and useable: mobility.

For Physical Access

Section titled “For Physical Access”
  • Provide ramps, elevators, and accessible doorways.
  • Ensure furniture and fixtures allow for maneuverability and comfort.
  • Avoid blocking routes with decorations or movable furniture.
  • Keep floors clear, stable, and non-slip.
  • Maintain safe slopes and grades along all accessible routes.

Learn more from Accessible Routes and Paths (Ta11y), Slopes and Grades (Ta11y), and useable: mobility.

For Workplaces and Events

Section titled “For Workplaces and Events”
  • Offer flexible seating, hybrid participation options, and extra time for movement.
  • Ensure accessible meeting rooms and routes between key areas.
  • Provide clear information on accessibility features in advance.
  • Choose accessible venues whenever possible.

Learn more from Accessible Indoor In-Person Events (Ta11y), Accessible Outdoor In-Person Events (Ta11y), Accessible Hybrid Events (Ta11y), and useable: mobility.

Digital and Communication Tools

Section titled “Digital and Communication Tools”
  • Write clear, concise information about mobility access, parking, and routes.
  • Include accessibility details for physical locations on websites and registration forms.
  • Provide contact information for accessibility inquiries.

Learn more from Inclusive Language, Writing Accessible Content, and useable: mobility.

Examples

Section titled “Examples”

Jian uses a wheelchair and needs step-free access to buildings. When attending conferences, they ask for details about ramps, elevators, and accessible washrooms before registering.

Mira experiences chronic fatigue. She benefits from flexible scheduling and the option to attend meetings virtually when travel would be too tiring.

Theo uses a walker and needs extra time to move between rooms at work. His employer schedules meetings with enough transition time and provides a workstation close to an accessible restroom.

Layla attends a weekly community event and benefits from accessible seating options, such as chairs with arms and adjustable height, placed throughout the space so she can rest as needed.

Eli broke his leg and temporarily uses crutches. He benefits from elevators, non-slip flooring, and wide, unobstructed pathways while he recovers.

Section titled “Related Ta11y Articles”
  • Accessible Indoor In-Person Events
  • Accessible Outdoor In-Person Events
  • Accessible Public Restrooms
  • Accessible Routes and Paths
  • Common-Use Areas
  • Inclusive Language
  • Writing Accessible Content
  • Your Role in Accessibility
  • useable: mobility

References

Section titled “References”