Reversing your wheelchair

Whether you’re getting out of a lift, moving away from a table, or adjusting your position in a busy space, reversing your wheelchair is an important skill to master to help you navigate everyday environments.

By the end of this guide, we’ll have talked through how to move backward smoothly and safely, while staying aware of what’s happening around you.

In this guide we’ll cover:

• Stay aware of your surroundings when moving backward.
• Reverse smoothly, without jerky movements.
• Move backward safely while maintaining control.

What you need to know about reversing your wheelchair

Reversing your wheelchair can be challenging, especially in tight spaces or pressured situations. It’s easy to rush or panic, but taking your time is the best way to stay safe when reversing. 

Top tips: 

• Always look behind you before reversing and check the space around you.
• Be mindful of handles, backpacks, and wheels as these can all stick out and catch.
• If possible, look over both shoulders before and while moving backward.
• If you can’t see clearly, ask someone to guide you.
• Lean forward slightly to prevent tipping if the chair stops suddenly.
• When you start, reverse slowly and steadily.

You can practice by using chairs, cones or chalk to map out a route to stick to once you’re confident reversing in open spaces. We’ve split this next part into two sections for people using manual wheelchairs and those using powered wheelchairs.

Reversing your manual wheelchair

1. Place your hands on the push-rims at the 2 o’clock position.
2. Check that it is clear behind you, if your view is blocked, you can ask someone to guide you as you reverse.
3. Lean forward a little to help adjust your weight as you move backward.
4. Push smoothly from the front to the back of your wheels until your hands reach just behind your hips or the 11 o’clock position.
5. Return your hands to 2 o’clock to repeat the movement.

Using small and steady pushes will help you stay in control and avoid veering off to one side. It also gives you more time to adjust to situations.

Reversing your powerchair (with joystick control)

1. Switch the power on.
2. Select a slow speed to start.
3. Place your hand on the joystick.
4. Look over both shoulders before starting.
5. If your view is blocked, ask someone to guide you.
6. Push the joystick backwards (depending on the chair type) while looking behind (if you can).
7. Adjust your speed if needed.
8. Slow down gradually by easing off the joystick.

Reversing your powerchair (with button controls)

1. Switch the power on.
2. Select a slow speed to start.
3. Position yourself so that you can comfortably access all of your control buttons.
4. Look over both shoulders before starting.
5. If your view is blocked, ask someone to guide you.
6. Hold down your reverse button to start moving and release to stop. 

Reversing your powerchair (with eyegaze control)

1. Switch the power on.
2. Position yourself so that you can comfortably see both your eyegaze device and your surrounding area.
3. Check around to make sure that there are no obstacles and it is safe to start moving.
4. Look at the ‘down’ arrow to start moving backward. To stop moving, look away. 

Always check behind you before moving. Mirrors or guides can help if your view is blocked.