Key:wheelchair

This tag may be used to mark places or ways that are suitable to be used with a wheelchair and a person with a disability who uses another mobility device (like a walker). It should only be used if you are sure about it, this can either be because there's a special sign or because of personal experience/someone with a wheelchair told you. There are also a lot of other tags that can help to determine if the way is suitable for wheelchairs. If you are unsure, give more information in description=* or wheelchair:description:lang=*.

For a quick howto style mapping guide of other aspects of mapping for disabled users see the page how to map for the needs of people with disabilities.

Common values

wheelchair=yes

Wheelchairs have full unrestricted access. Use this tag to mark a feature in the United States as compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

• entry: stepless
• rooms: stepless

wheelchair=limited

Wheelchairs have partial access (e.g some areas can be accessed and others not, areas requiring assistance by someone pushing up a steep gradient).

• entry: has a step but not higher than 7 cm / 3 inch ('width of a hand')
• rooms: the most important rooms are stepless

wheelchair=no

Wheelchairs have no unrestricted access (e.g. stair only access).

• entry: has a step higher than 7 cm / 3 inch
• rooms: the important rooms are not accessible

wheelchair=designated

The way or area is designated or purpose built for wheelchairs (e.g. elevators designed for wheelchair access only). This is rarely used.

Note: There is currently no default value for wheelchair access. The wheelchair=no tag should be used to explicitly indicate a way is not accessible.

Examples

Hanover tram system with (non-)wheelchair-symbols

Ways

• highway=steps
• wheelchair=no

if there are stairs and there is no ramp.

One may use also ramp:wheelchair=*.

(Hint: Always think of heavy electric wheelchairs that can not pass any steps.)

Amenities

Public transport stops/platforms

• public_transport=platform
• wheelchair=yes (if there is a high level kerb or all bus routes at all times have a ramp or lift.)
• wheelchair=limited (if some routes or at some times busses with ramps or lifts stop here. Give more information in the wheelchair:description=* tag.)
• wheelchair=no

Hotel

• tourism=hotel
• wheelchair=yes
• wheelchair:description:en=3 rooms

You might want to provide the website=* of the operator=* if it has more detailed information.

Cinema

• amenity=cinema
• wheelchair=limited
• wheelchair:description:en=7 places

if you have to ask for help or a key, or if not all theaters are reachable without steps. Give more information in the description key.

You might want to provide the website=* of the operator=* if it has more detailed information.

Museum

• tourism=museum
• wheelchair=yes
• wheelchair:description:en=also offer wheelchair-accessible guided tour

Toilets

There are two kind of toilets:

Toilet that belongs to an amenity or a building

E.g. The toilet in a restaurant.

toilets:wheelchair=yes

The location has one or more toilets which is accessible for wheelchair users.

The criteria for acceptable accessibility:

• Doorway’s inner width min. 90 cm
• Clear space min. 150 x 150 cm
• Wheelchair-height toilet seat
• Folding grab rails
• Accessible hand basin

toilets:wheelchair=no

The location does not have a toilet which is accessible for wheelchair users.

Public toilet

E.g. Toilet which is provided by public authorities, for example in the park.

• amenity=toilets
• wheelchair=yes (if these are fully equipped with handrail, no steps, wide door etc. Also use yes if you only need to ask for a key)
• wheelchair=limited (if the doors are wide and no steps)
• wheelchair=no (if doors are not at least 60cm wide, if there are steps, if there are narrow curves or other barriers)
• wheelchair:description:en=describe limits here

Public transport routes

• wheelchair=yes (if all of the vehicles on the route can carry wheelchair)
• wheelchair=limited (if some of the vehicles on the route can carry wheelchair)
• wheelchair=no (if none of the vehicles on the route can carry wheelchair)

Example pictograms

• wheelchair=yes -
• wheelchair=no -

Related

Designated parking space

See how to map for the needs of people with disabilities#Designated_parking_space

Legal access, special conditions and fees

See the respective sections in how to map for the needs of people with disabilities

Data sources

UK

• [1]

Rendering

• wheelmap - wheelmap.org Who take only wheelchair=* and not capacity:disabled=* another project to show wheelchair accessibility information on a map
• OSM Query General POI finder. Wheelchair=yes and wheelchair=limited are rendered with icons.

See Also

• toilets:wheelchair=* - States if a location has a wheelchair accessible toilet or not
• capacity:disabled=* - Describes the capacity for disabled parking spaces
• Proposed features/DisabilityDescription - for adding descriptions of special relevance to disabled persons.
• Proposed features/Steps features
• Category:Disabilities
• Category:Walking Disability
• Approved features/wheelchair
• Wheelchair routing (for example mentions tags Key:incline, Key:surface, Key:smoothness and Key:width for tagging some physical way properties which could also be relevant for wheelchair accessibility) and the German project DE:Rollstuhlfahrer-Routing