Key:wheelchair
 wheelchair
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| Description |
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Indicate if a special place can be used with wheelchairs 
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| Group: accessibility |
| Used on these elements |
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Status: approved
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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 (i.e. a handbreadth)
- 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 (i.e. a handbreadth)
- 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
Ways
- 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
You might want to provide the website=* of the operator=* if it has more detailed information.
Cinema
- 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.
See the accessibility factors:
- amenity=toilets
- wheelchair=yes - if these are fully equipped with handrail, no steps, wide door etc.
- wheelchair=limited - if there is one step, if the doors is not so wide, etc.
- 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
Note: it is not important if you need a key to access the toilet. Though if it access is limited then access=* should be also tagged.
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
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.
Possible tagging mistakes
See also
- toilets:wheelchair=* - States if a location has a wheelchair accessible toilet or not
- capacity:disabled=* - Describes the capacity for disabled parking spaces
- parking_space=disabled + amenity=parking_space - A parking space exclusively for use by those who are disabled. In some places this may be a legal restriction.
- 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