How To Push A Wheelchair Up And Down A Ramp (with videos)


Oftentimes when you are going places with your wheelchair there will be obstacles to overcome. A wheelchair ramp is very common nowadays and removes the steps as an obstacle. 

The process of pushing a wheelchair up a ramp by yourself is important for safety and reaching the top of the ramp.

Courtesy EM Quattrocchi

  • Make sure you have nothing hanging on the back of the wheelchair or in your lap.
  • Raise your front casters and propel yourself so that the front casters clear any door threshold and are over the beginning of the lip of the ramp.
  • Lean forward as far as you can and using the front of the back wheels propel yourself up the ramp with strong quick strokes.

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The process of rolling a wheelchair down a ramp by yourself is important for safety and reaching the bottom of the ramp.

Courtesy Life On Wheels
  • Make sure you have nothing hanging on the back of the wheelchair or in your lap.
  • Raise your casters up and slowly propel to the top of the ramp.
  • Let the back wheels roll down the ramp while your casters are still in the air.
  • You can slow down by gripping the back wheels and slowing the revolutions. 

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Assistance in pushing a wheelchair up a ramp with a passenger.

Courtesy Toronto Taxi Training Program
  • Always push the wheelchair with the passenger facing forward and yourself squared behind the wheelchair. 
  • On steeper ramps use your legs to give a little force if needed, not your back.

Assistance in pushing a wheelchair down a ramp with a passenger.

Courtesy Scarborough City Cab

  • Always assist the wheelchair with the passenger facing up the ramp and yourself squared behind the wheelchair walking backwards down the ramp.
  • Go slow down the ramp as you may have adjust the front casters by slightly maneuvering them straight. 
  • On steeper ramps use your legs to give a little force if needed, not your back for resistance down the ramp.

Steven Abbey

Steven Abbey is a author for Senior Living Headquarters and owns a home in a retirement community. His wife owns a successful family business that has served tens of thousands of people. He also has a electrical technician degree.

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