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Negotiating curbs is always best avoided whenever it is possible or practical to do so. Always try to use dropped curbs or ramps.
If you find yourself in a situation where you have to push an occupied wheelchair down a curb, it is much safer to go down the curb backwards, this is because it requires less strength and gives a gentler ride. You must, however, be careful because of the weight of the chair and the risk of stepping backwards into a road.
Make sure that the wheelchair user knows about what you are going to be doing, make sure that the road is clear and then back the wheelchair to the edge of the curb. The chair should be lined up at 90 degrees to the curb.
Slowly roll the rear wheels down from the curb to the road surface, making sure that both wheels touch down at the same time, when the front casters are at the edge of the curb, push down and forward on the tipping lever with your foot whilst gently pulling back on the handles at the same time. This will balance the wheelchair and your passenger on the rear wheels, but don’t tip the wheelchair back more than you need to.
Carefully pull the wheelchair farther back into the road and when the occupant’s feet are clear of the curb, gently lower the front to the road. Always make sure that the road is clear before turning around and crossing.
If you find yourself in a situation where you have to push an occupied wheelchair up a curb, it is safer to go up the curb forwards as it requires less strength and gives a gentler ride.
Make sure that you tell your passenger what you are about to do, approach the curb and when the occupant’s feet are nearly touching it, push down and forwards on the tipping lever with your foot, whilst gently pulling back on the handles at the same time. This will balance the wheelchair and its occupant on the rear wheels.
When the front casters are just clear of the curb, push the wheelchair forwards until the casters are resting on the pavement or sidewalk. Push the wheelchair forwards until the back wheels just touch the curb and then lift up on the handles as you continue pushing forwards to place the rear wheels on the pavement, in some cases the occupant may be able to help you with this stage by pushing forwards on the hand rims.
