Retailers all over the country are increasingly careful about creating an inclusive space that allows customers with disabilities to have an easy and enjoyable shopping experience.
Since Target is the 8th most extensive general merchandise chain in the U.S., you may be wondering – does Target have wheelchairs, motorized carts, and scooters for its customers? Here is what I’ve found out!
Does Target Have Wheelchairs & Scooters For Customers?
Customers in need of mobility assistance are welcome to use motorized shopping scooters or manual wheelchair carts provided by Target. Stores are fully wheelchair accessible and usually contain 1-2 scooters and 1+ wheelchair carts. These amenities are generally located near the front of the entrance.
If you want to learn more about Target’s wheelchair and scooter facilities, what other retailers provide them, and who can use the wheelchairs and scooters Target provides, keep on reading!
How Can You Request A Wheelchair Or Scooter At Target?
For the safety and security of amenities, Target keeps wheelchairs and scooters inside the store near the front entrance (where you’ll find the regular shopping carts).
Customers can usually start them up independently as there are no restrictions on wheelchairs and scooters for customers.
Alternatively, you can head over to Guest Services if you require assistance in obtaining a wheelchair or scooter or if you have any inquiries.
Most locations have a red phone near the front of the store titled “Lift phone for assistance” underneath a noticeable question mark. Use this to call ahead of your visit and ensure the facilities are ready for use.
What Types of Wheelchairs And Scooters Does Target Provide?
Target is widely facilitated with motorized scooters that have wheels navigated by a control pad in front of the seat, with instructions located just above the footwell.
These scooters have a spacious basket in the foreground with shelf space underneath for additional goods.
Additionally, after identifying the challenge of maneuvering a shopping cart and mobility carriages, Target designed an inclusive shopping cart with a sizable back-facing seat suitable for teens and adults.
This manual wheelchair cart is equipped with a seatbelt and foam-covered handles to improve steering control for the parent or the carer pushing the cart.
Who Can Use Target’s Wheelchairs & Scooters?
Visitors are encouraged to bring their own wheelchairs or mobility scooters that best suit their individual needs.
However, anyone who struggles with mobility is welcome to use Target’s wheelchairs and scooters at any time. Customers are not required to show a disability badge or alternative proof of disability.
Target generally only offers these amenities to adults, however, those with young children are welcome to use shopping carts with kid-size seating.
Anyone caught misusing the facilities will need to return the wheelchair or scooter to its original position or be asked to leave.
Does Target Have Good Accessibility?
Target is completely compliant with the American Disability Act (ADA), making sure each store is equipped with the following facilities:
- Many drop-off lanes at the front of stores
- Elevators to all levels
- Designated disability seating locations
- Amenities to improve wheelchair accessibility such as ramps and wide aisles
Additionally, there is great emphasis on the value of accessibility throughout both Target’s stores and online platforms.
The site structure of Target.com is under constant analysis to make sure that appropriate headings, lists, paragraphs, and other formatting features are compatible with assistive tech.
Target aims to attach sound and text descriptions to all images on the website, making sure everything can be accessed from a keyboard.
Other than that, its physical sites are consistent and are rarely subject to formative change to ensure functions stay in the same place.
What Other Retailers Have Wheelchairs & Scooters For Customers?
Alongside Target, many other grocery, home improvement, and department stores support inclusivity by offering motorized shopping carts, scooters, and wheelchairs.
Here are a few retailers that offer these facilities:
- JCPenney
- Kroger
- Publix
- Safeway
- Trader Joe’s
- Whole Foods Market
- Home Depot
- Walmart & Sam’s Club
- Costco
To learn more, you can see our related posts on if Target is dog friendly, if Target has bottle return, and if Target accepts EBT.
Conclusion
Target offers motorized scooters and wheelchair carts suitable for teens and adults, and parents can use smaller seated carts for young children. Stores typically provide at least 1+ wheelchair carts and 1-2 motorized scooters. Anyone who requires mobility support may use these amenities at the store entrance. Contact Guest Services ahead of your visit to ensure facilities are available.
