Looking for wheelchair friendly activities near you? The development of engaging and interesting wheelchair accessible activities has vastly improved over the past few years. From exciting adaptive adventure sports, partaking in wheelchair sports and activities to watching a play at a local theatre; accessibility is the keyword for researching new activities you can do in a wheelchair.

Image credit Jack

With the passing of the 2010 Equality Act, business’ events and venues are required to make reasonable adjustments for wheelchair users. This legislation has helped provide opportunities for people to enjoy a wider selection of pursuits, with ease.

In this blog, we will explore a plenitude of wheelchair accessible activities and experiences wheelchair users can enjoy individually or with friends and family; from the least to the most adventurous of activities.

Museums, Galleries & Exhibitions

The UK has an outstanding selection of museums and art galleries that celebrates all areas of culture. A great option to enjoy a day out independently or with others, whatever the British weather.

Our top choices of wheelchair-friendly museums, galleries and exhibitions are:

• Science Museum - London
• Scottish National, Gallery Of Modern Art - Edinburgh
• National Museum, Royal Navy - Portsmouth
• The Museum Of Liverpool - Ranked as UK’s most accessible visitor attraction.
• Revitalise has created a user-friendly guide in the form of a PDF to help navigate venues to help choose your activity with ease. Snooker, Billiards & Pool

These would be traditionally classed as a sport, depending on the level or rank achieved. Billiards, snooker and pool can also be a leisurely activity at a local community centre or snooker hall. Shooting some pool has been a weekend activity for many a year.

Billiards and snooker are two of the most accessible sports for wheelchair users. A lower viewpoint can be an advantage as sitting in a chair the user is at eye level with the table, making it an ideal wheelchair sporting activity. Special cues and other equipment are available to help if required.

Take it to the next level - World Disability Billiards and Snooker (WDBS) was founded to give more people with disabilities the opportunity to play cue sports around the world. Find out more on the WDBS website on how to get involved.

Indoor Bowling

Score that perfect strike!

Bowling is a great way to spend a Saturday night. Hollywood Bowl Group offers disabled access across its venues, nationally, including ramps onto the lanes (where required), ball ramps and lane bumpers for use. Lightweight balls and disabled toilet facilities are available throughout the UK, making it an ideal wheelchair-friendly activity to try with friends or family.

Theatre

Humans have been enjoying the live performance of the theatre for thousands of years. From screaming out ‘He’s behind you!’ in a traditional Pantomime to being totally engrossed in an Oscar Wilde play.

Being a member of the audience and absorbing the atmosphere of a live theatre production is a truly memorable experience. Tourism for All has a fully comprehensive guide to the best theatres with full access for wheelchair users.

Nature walks & trails

Limited mobility needn’t mean missing out on nature. The UK boasts oodles of beautiful walks, trails and reserves. Most cities have open green spaces that provide accessible paths. Taking time to enjoy nature can be deeply rewarding and can help combat depression; bird and insect watching or spotting is a fun hobby to enjoy and is great to share with children.

Numerous nature walks and reserves are equipped with available paths & lifts. The Wildlife Trust has created a directory of countrywide walks, accessible for wheelchair users.

Dungeons & Dragons

If you know, you know. If you don’t, here is a description of this addictive, immersive game.

This is a game for between four and six players collaborating in a fantasy, storytelling adventure, with the Dungeon Master resolving actions and consequences. There are books and guidelines to help you on your journey; a colourful imagination is key to playing this game.

The Dungeons & Dragons book published by Wizards of the Coast includes the franchise’s first official adventure that is wheelchair accessible. Titled Candlekeep Mysteries, the collection of 17 one-shot adventures was published in March 2021.

Great activity! Be warned this game is highly addictive and games can be long. Make sure you have refreshments to hand or order a takeaway…

For further personalised spinal cord injury guidance, our dedicated spinal cord injury support team can answer your spinal cord injury questions when you join our free Navigator service.