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Class 1 Medical
Rev. 2
Figure 5.3: Assistant
positioning for climbing curbs
single steps – method 1
Use the following procedure to tackle shallow curbs, steps or obstacles:
Climbing a curb or single step – Method 1
To climb over a curb or single step have the front of the
wheelchair facing the obstacle and advise your assistant
to stand at the rear of your wheelchair and apply a
continuous downward motion. This will tip the
wheelchair about the rear wheels thereby lifting the
front caster of the ground. As a balance point is achieved
and the front casters clear the curb, instruct your
assistance to roll the wheelchair forward and slowly
lower the front caster to the upper level as they are
beyond the edge of the curb or step. Following, instruct
your assistant to lift and roll the rear wheels up to the
upper level.
Climbing a curb or single step – Method 2
Unless the first assistant has exceptional upper body
strength, it is recommended that METHOD 2 uses two (2)
assistants. The second assistant should be positioned at
the front of the wheelchair lifting upward on a non-
removable (non-detachable) part of the wheelchair
frame when lifting and stabilizing the wheelchair and
when the wheelchair is being lowered to the ground.
The first assistant should stand on the sidewalk and turn
the wheelchair so that the rear wheels are against the
curb. The wheelchair should be tilted back to the balance
point and, in one continuous downward movement, the
rear wheels should be pulled up and over the curb. DO
NOT return the front casters to the ground until the
wheelchair has been pulled backward far enough for the
front casters to clear the edge of the curb.
Descending a curb or single step
WARNING: NEVER attempt to descend down any curb or
obstacle facing forward.
To descend from a curb or a single step, position your
wheelchair so that the front of the wheelchair is facing
away from the curb a couple of meters and ask your
assistant to stand behind your wheelchair. Next, instruct
your assistant to step down the curb and carefully pull
the wheelchair backwards. As the rear wheels roll over
the edge of the curb, allow them to slowly roll down the
rear wheels to the lower level. Once the rear wheels are
safely on the lower level instruct your assistant to tip the
chair about the rear wheels, lifting the casters off the
upper level and continue to slowly roll the wheelchair
backwards taking small steps until the front casters have
cleared the curb or single step and they can be lowered
to the ground at the lower level.
Figure 5.1: Assistant
positioning for climbing curbs
single steps – method 1
Figure 5.2: Assistant positioning
for climbing curbs or single steps-
method 2
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