Explore further, safer, and steadier!
A woman uses the electric-powered outdoor wheelchair at the UW Arboretum in fall 2023. Photo by Kaitlin Svabek/SoWBA
We are proud to offer a comfortable, outdoor, electric-powered wheelchair at most of our events and field trips this spring, summer, and fall—for free!
This wheelchair is wonderful for anyone with temporary or permanent mobility limitations. Whether you or a loved one has an injury or disability, is recovering from surgery, or has difficulty walking long distances we would love for you to put this wheelchair to good use.
To request the wheelchair at an upcoming outing, complete the registration form and select yes for borrowing the wheelchair. We will bring it to the event and show you the simple steps for using it. Questions? Contact Brenna at 608-255-2473 or email bmarsicek@swibirds.org.
About the Wheelchair
This power wheelchair is wonderful. It’s comfortable, portable, and easy to use. It can handle packed gravel, mowed grass, boardwalk, and paved trails. It allows folks who enjoy birding to access some of the natural areas they love, spend a longer time exploring, and feel more comfortable, safe, and independent as they do so.
Some features include:
Comfortable seat (21.5” wide and 17” deep) and height (staff members who are between 5’4” and 6’ tested and approved its comfort level)
Joystick-controlled when in electric-powered mode, can switch to manual mode allowing someone to push the chair from behind
Rechargeable battery lasts up to 20 miles
Maximum speed is 7 miles per hour
Maximum weight it can hold is 400 pounds
Folds up and fits into the back of a vehicle (60 pounds, 2 people recommended to lift it)
Ability to handle up to 25 degree grade; auto-brake engagement to prevent chair from rolling backwards down a hill
For a more heavy-duty option
This power wheelchair makes exploring on a maintained trail fun, comfortable, and safe. It’s not suitable for snow, mud, rugged terrain, or tall vegetation though! One user said, “The chair worked quite well, but one should not try to traverse rocky or root covered areas, it won’t work and will start to tip. For me that was not a problem because I could get out and guide it over those areas. Some might have more trouble and should stick to flatter trails or paths.” For a more heavy-duty option, consider borrowing an outdoor, all-terrain wheelchair from Access Ability Wisconsin.
“I very much appreciated having the electric wheel chair available. Without I would not have been able to visit the prairie. My walking range is very limited, especially on uneven terrain. The chair worked quite well but one should not try to traverse rocky or root covered areas, it won’t work and will start to tip. For me that was not a problem because I could get out and guide it over those areas.”
Thank you to the Audubon in Action grant for funding this wheelchair’s purchase!
