IKEA is well known as an affordable, stylish home furnishings retailer with massive stores that attract shoppers of all ages and abilities. If you or a loved one has a disability that makes walking through IKEA‘s sprawling warehouses a challenge, you may be wondering what mobility assistance and accessibility features IKEA provides to ensure an enjoyable, barrier-free shopping experience for all.
In this in-depth guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about using a wheelchair or other mobility aid while visiting IKEA, from the types of equipment available to accessibility policies to tips for making the most of IKEA‘s disability accommodations. Let‘s roll in and explore!
Types of Mobility Assistance Equipment Available at IKEA
The short answer is that most IKEA store locations provide complimentary use of manual wheelchairs to disabled shoppers on a first-come, first-served basis. These standard wheelchairs can be borrowed from the store entrance area free of charge for the duration of your visit.
However, IKEA generally does not have motorized scooters, power wheelchairs, or sit-down shopping carts available to customers at this time, with the exception of a small number of test locations. There are a few potential reasons for this:
- High upfront costs to purchase a fleet of motorized mobility devices for each store
- Ongoing maintenance, charging and repair expenses for electric scooters and power chairs
- Safety and liability concerns with customers operating powered vehicles in crowded stores
- Difficulty maneuvering and parking large scooters in IKEA‘s narrow aisles and displays
- Limited demand compared to more broadly used manual wheelchair accommodations
While this lack of motorized assistance may be disappointing for shoppers with limited mobility, the good news is that IKEA does allow customers to bring and use their own electric scooters, power wheelchairs, and other assistive devices in stores.
Additionally, IKEA offers an extensive range of other accessibility features and accommodations to make the shopping experience as inclusive and barrier-free as possible, which we‘ll detail further below.
Wheelchair-Friendly Features in IKEA Stores
To welcome shoppers of all mobility levels, IKEA incorporates a variety of accessibility features in its stores:
Disabled Parking
IKEA provides an ample number of designated disabled parking spots near the store entrance, free of charge. These wheelchair-accessible spaces enable easy navigation from your vehicle to the store.
Wide, Barrier-Free Aisles
IKEA designs its store layout with wide, unobstructed aisles between displays to accommodate wheelchairs, scooters, and other mobility equipment. Careful attention is given to avoid cluttered endcaps or protruding objects that could impede access.
Accessible Checkout Lanes
Checkout lanes at IKEA have lowered counters and detachable credit card pin pads for customers who may have difficulty reaching or handling the payment terminal. Staff are also readily available to assist with transactions as needed.
Barrier-Free Restrooms
IKEA stores have spacious wheelchair-accessible restrooms, usually located near the entrance and restaurant areas for convenient access. These facilities include grab bars, lowered sinks, and ample clearance space for easy maneuverability.
Inclusive Dining Areas
The IKEA Restaurant and Cafe seating areas are designed to accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility aids at dining tables. Aisles between tables are kept clear and unobstructed for easy navigation.
Personal Assistance Policies at IKEA
In addition to physical store features, IKEA also has several policies in place to support customers with disabilities:
Support Persons Welcome
IKEA allows shoppers with disabilities to bring a support person to provide assistance with mobility, communication, personal care, or other needs while in the store. Support persons are granted the same access to store areas as the customer they are assisting.
Service Animals Allowed
Service dogs and other assistance animals are welcome in all public areas of IKEA stores, including the Restaurant and Cafe. Assistance animals are not permitted in the children‘s Småland play area for safety reasons.
Disability Awareness Training for Staff
All IKEA employees undergo training on assisting customers with disabilities and accommodating a variety of mobility aids and assistive devices. Staff are happy to answer questions, reach items, push carts or wheelchairs, or provide any other support customers may need during their visit.
Småland Accessibility for Kids
For families visiting with young children, IKEA provides a supervised play area called Småland to engage kids while parents shop. To make this service inclusive:
- Småland welcomes children with special needs and will accommodate them to the fullest extent possible.
- Kids who use wheelchairs are exempt from any height requirements to play in Småland.
- Children who wear pull-up diapers are allowed in Småland, except for the ball pit area.
Parents should contact their local IKEA for specifics on Småland accessibility policies and any assistance the staff can provide for their child‘s needs.
Planning an IKEA Trip with a Disability
With some advance planning, customers with disabilities can take full advantage of the mobility assistance and accessibility features IKEA provides:
- Call your local store ahead of time to inquire about wheelchair availability, accessible parking locations, Småland accommodations, or any other specific needs you may have.
- Bring your own motorized scooter, power wheelchair, or other preferred mobility aid if possible, since most IKEA stores do not provide electric devices.
- If you use a manual wheelchair, consider bringing a friend, family member, or support person to assist you with reaching items and pushing the chair, especially for longer visits.
- Take advantage of IKEA‘s convenient home delivery services if transporting heavy or bulky purchases is a concern in your vehicle.
- Don‘t hesitate to ask for help from IKEA‘s friendly staff during your visit – they are trained and happy to assist customers with disabilities however possible!
The Future of Mobility Assistance at IKEA
While IKEA is not currently equipped with motorized shopping scooters or power wheelchairs in most of its locations, the world‘s largest furniture retailer remains committed to continuously improving its accessibility for all shoppers.
As the population ages and disability rates rise, there will likely be a growing need for more comprehensive mobility assistance options in the retail sector. Major chains like IKEA may explore expanding their fleet of electric scooters and wheelchairs to accommodate customers who find manual chairs challenging to use.
Some IKEA stores in the United States have already begun a pilot program testing motorized shopping carts in partnership with the Caroline‘s Cart company. If these trials prove successful in meeting customers‘ needs, more widespread rollouts of this convenient amenity could be on the horizon.
Conclusion
At present, IKEA provides complimentary manual wheelchair rentals in its stores and incorporates many wheelchair-friendly design features like accessible parking, restrooms, wide aisles, and lowered counters. Support persons and service animals are also welcome to assist customers with disabilities.
Although motorized scooters and power wheelchairs are not currently available to borrow in most IKEA locations, the company‘s comprehensive approach to inclusive shopping aims to empower customers of all abilities to enjoy a pleasant, barrier-free retail experience.
By understanding the mobility assistance options and accessibility features IKEA provides, customers with disabilities can plan a successful trip to shop for affordable, stylish home furnishings independently or with support. Here‘s to many more years of IKEA welcoming shoppers of all ages and abilities through its iconic blue and yellow doors!
