Where are they all?

Have you ever wondered why you don’t see many wheelchair users out and about in our local towns? It doesn’t mean disabled people are antisocial; the reality is simple… the appalling state of our pavements keeps millions stuck at home.

The Obstacle Course Outside

Our footpaths are broken. Cracked paving slabs, deep potholes, and steep kerbs turn a quick trip to the shops into an extreme sport. When a surface is uneven, it doesn’t just feel uncomfortable… It causes real physical pain, risks tipping a chair, or destroys expensive equipment.

Add parked cars blocking the path, and wheelchair users are forced directly into dangerous traffic. Over 40% of disabled people report that broken paths stop them reaching their destination. Local councils often ignore these issues until someone gets hurt. As one campaigner noted, “We are being trapped in our own homes by bad town planning.”

Missing Basic Facilities

It isn’t just broken concrete that creates a barrier. Missing dropped kerbs mean a wheelchair user can get stuck on one side of a road with no safe way down. Overgrown hedges and street clutter like giant bins make things worse.

Around 95% of wheelchair users report running into major problems on public paths. If a path isn’t smooth, wide, and clear, it doesn’t work. Disabled people shouldn’t need to plan every single footstep of a journey just to buy milk.

Blocked Off from Society

Pavement parking also completely ruins independence for wheelchair users. When drivers park on footpaths, they don’t leave enough room for anyone to pass safely. This forces disabled people straight into oncoming road traffic just to get past a vehicle.

Over 70% of wheelchair users say blocked paths regularly force them to put their safety at risk. As one frustrated campaigner put it, “A driver’s convenience shouldn’t take priority over a disabled person’s safety.”

Vehicles also crack paving slabs, creating more hazards. Towns around the world must enforce strict bans to keep streets safe and open for everyone.

Fixing Our Streets for Everyone

A bad pavement isn’t just an inconvenience… it strips people of their independence. Smooth surfaces, enforced bans on pavement parking, and proper kerbs help everyone, including parents with buggies and older citizens.

We must demand better maintenance from local authorities. A community across the world isn’t truly accessible until every single person can move around safely.