Moving your wheelchair forwards

Please note: This is version one of our information hub. Videos and visual guides will be available soon to help guide you through our wheelchair skills training.

Moving forwards in your wheelchair is one of the first – and probably most important – skills you’ll learn. Once you’ve got this mastered, you’ll have a strong foundation to build on to develop more complex skills – it’ll soon feel natural!

This guide breaks down how to move yourself forwards safely and confidently, whether you use a manual or powered wheelchair.

This is part of a series of guides we’ve created to help you build basic and advanced wheelchair skills.

What you'll learn

• Being aware of your environment
• Moving forwards as a manual wheelchair user
• Moving forwards as a powerchair user
• Practicing speed control

What you need to know

Moving forward sounds simple, and it is as long as you keep a few things in mind. We recommend taking a safety-first approach, identifying any potential obstacles and obstructions before moving.

You want to be in control of your wheelchair at all times. The more you practice, the more stamina you will build to help you go further and faster!

Safety first

Staying aware of what’s around you is the best way to keep yourself and others safe. The aim is for you to be safe, stable and smooth. You’ll soon find that sharp, jerky pushes or sudden stops can make the chair tip or be pretty uncomfortable. 

Here are some basic tips:

• Always look in the direction you’re travelling and check your surroundings
• Try to keep your movements smooth and gradual
• Slow down when you’re inside, somewhere busy, or notice any hazards or obstacles
• If you use a powered chair, switch it off whenever you stop moving
  
  

How to move forwards

We’ve split this part into two sections for people in manual wheelchairs and powered wheelchairs.

Moving forwards in a manual wheelchair

1. Place your hands at the 11 o’clock position on the push-rims. Rest your thumbs on top and keep a light grip with your fingers
2. Lean slightly forward to keep the front castors down
3. Look around to check the area is clear
4. Start pushing gently, increasing power through the movement, and finish at the 2 o’clock position
5. Release and return your hands to 11 o’clock to repeat

Pushing a wheelchair forward involves a specific technique, but it also demands strength. You’ll want to work on the most efficient action to maximise distance and minimise effort. 

Long, smooth pushes will take you further and help protect your shoulders. Go slowly (literally!) as you build your strength.

Moving forwards in a powerchair (with joystick control)

1. Switch on the power and make sure that your chair is set to an  appropriate speed, starting slowly if you’re not sure
2. Place your hand comfortably on the joystick
3. Check around  to make sure that there are no obstacles and it is safe to start moving
4. Push the joystick forwards to start moving
5. The further forwards you push, the faster you will move. To stop, let go of the joystick 
6. Adjust your speed to the circumstances and situation

Moving forwards in a powerchair (with button controls)

1. Switch on the power and make sure that your chair is set to an appropriate speed, starting slowly if you’re not sure
2. Position yourself so that you can comfortably access all of your control buttons
3. Check around to make sure that there are no obstacles and it is safe to start moving
4. Hold down your forwards button to start moving and release to stop 

Moving forwards in a powerchair (with eyegaze controls)

1. Switch on the power and set make sure that your chair is set to an appropriate speed, starting slowly if you’re not sure
2. Position yourself so that you can comfortably see both your eye-gaze device and your surrounding area
3. Check around to make sure that there are no obstacles and it is safe to start moving 

Look at the up arrow to start moving forwards. To stop moving, look away. 

Try to keep your body as upright and relaxed as possible. This makes it easier to stay in control of your chair and to spot any obstacles, like cars, pedestrians or pets that might get in your way.

Practising speed control

Moving forwards safely involves carefully controlling your speed. You’re going to be the best person to assess each environment, but here are some recommendations from the experts:

• Indoors: Stick to a slow, steady pace.
• Outdoors: In safe, open areas you can go faster
• Near roads, on pavements, downhill, or on bumpy ground: Stay at a speed that keeps you in control

There are different kinds of powerchairs, but none are allowed to go faster than 4 mph on pavements. 

Round up: Moving forward in a wheelchair

Control and confidence come from practice. We recommend practising with your chair, using different speeds in different places. See how the chair feels and responds when using it indoors, outdoors, and on different surfaces. 

Over time, you’ll build up your skills and confidence. The most important part to begin with is getting more practice and making sure you are always in control. 

Here’s a reminder of what we’ve covered:

• Always think “safety first”
• Watch your speed, especially in busy areas
• Start slowly and build up your speed as your confidence grows 
• Focus on being in control in every situation
• When things are clear, pick up some speed!