Sometimes you need a wheelchair for a few days, not for good. A parent visits Raleigh and long walks are hard. A sprained ankle meets a wedding weekend. A day at a game or a show means more walking than usual.
A rented push wheelchair covers that short need. This guide covers choosing a chair, leg rests, what the person pushing should know and how to get around Raleigh with one. It ends with how our quote works.
A note first. We rent equipment. We are not doctors or therapists, and this guide is not medical advice. If you are unsure what is safe for the person you are planning for, ask their doctor or therapist before you rent.
Is a wheelchair the right fit?
A push wheelchair needs a companion to push it. That suits a rider who will have a family member or friend along.
If the rider wants to get around on their own, a mobility scooter may fit better. A scooter is driven by the rider. Our guide on scooter or wheelchair walks through the choice, and you can see the scooters on our mobility scooters page.
For a long-term or ongoing need, talk to the rider's doctor. Medicare.gov says Part B covers power wheelchairs and scooters only when they are medically necessary. It also says Medicare only pays for equipment from suppliers enrolled in Medicare.
Choosing a chair
We rent push wheelchairs in more than one size. You can see them on our wheelchairs page, including a chair with leg rests and a lightweight chair.
A few questions help you choose before the call:
- Who will load it? Think about who will put the chair in the car at each stop.
- Where will you go? Indoors, outdoors, smooth floors or park paths.
- How long is the day? A long day means more pushing for the companion.
- Who is it for? Tell us who the chair is for when we call. We talk through the sizes we have free on your dates.
Not sure which fits? Tell us about the outing. Our staff can help work out whether the available equipment suits the rider and the day. Staff may decide a wheelchair does not safely meet a rider's needs.
Leg rests and foot rests
Some riders need to keep a leg raised, or need a firm place to rest their feet. Leg lifts and foot rests may be available. Mention it when you ask for a quote. We confirm the equipment when we call back.
For the companion pushing
The person pushing does real work, so plan for them too.
- Plan step-free routes. Use curb ramps and step-free entrances. Call ahead or read a venue's accessibility page before you go.
- Set the brakes. Set the brakes before the rider gets in or out.
- Plan who helps with transfers. Our staff do not lift or transfer guests. If the rider needs help getting in and out of the chair or the car, plan for a family member to help.
- Take breaks. Long days are tiring for the person pushing as well as the rider. Build in rest stops.
- Keep valuables close. Keep valuables secured to yourself, not hanging on the chair.
Getting around Raleigh with a wheelchair
Your rights at public places. ADA.gov says businesses and nonprofits that serve the public, and state and local governments, must allow people with disabilities who use manual or power wheelchairs or scooters into all areas where the public is allowed to go.
GoRaleigh buses. GoRaleigh lists wheelchairs among the items allowed onboard its buses.
GoRaleigh Access paratransit. GoRaleigh Access is the City's paratransit service for riders who qualify under the ADA. Trips must begin and end within 3/4 mile of a GoRaleigh bus stop. Out-of-town visitors who are ADA eligible can use it for 21 days within a 365-day period. Visitors contact the Paratransit Services Certification Office first, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Trips must be booked at least one day ahead, and the City accepts reservations up to 14 days ahead. The number is 919-996-3459.
Accessible venues in Raleigh
These details come from each venue's own accessibility page. Check again before you go, since details change.
- Lenovo Center. The arena says it offers free wheelchair help to and from your seat. Ask at the entrance doors. Accessible seating is on all levels.
- Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts. The center says wheelchair and companion seating is available in all its venues, with up to three companion seats next to each wheelchair location. It has accessible parking in the Performing Arts Center deck and a drop-off lane on Lichtin Plaza.
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. Elevators run between each level of both buildings. Accessible restroom stalls are in all public restrooms on every floor. The museum notes there are no automatic doors on the third-floor bridge.
Some venues lend chairs on a first come, first served basis. A rental covers the rest of the day, from the parking lot to the ride home.
How our quote works
Personal rentals in Raleigh are set up with a real person. There is no account and no online checkout, and no price list on the site. Every rental is quoted for your dates, the equipment and pickup or delivery.
- Ask for a quote. Use the form on our Raleigh rentals page or call. Tell us the dates, the equipment and your ZIP code.
- A person calls you back. We get back to you within 24 hours. We confirm the dates, the equipment and whether you pick up or we deliver. Delivery is confirmed for each request.
- Pick up or take delivery. Questions during the rental? Call the same number.
We also rent wheelchairs on site at fairs and events. See our events page and our FAQ.
Next step
Ask for a quote on our Raleigh rentals page with your dates and ZIP code, or call (919) 533-8846 and talk it through with a person.
