Universal Design Tips: MMD Charging Points
Image credit: Annie Spratt, Unsplash
This article outlines simple and practical ways to help improve the accessibility of charging points for people who use motorised mobility devices (MMDs) such as electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters, including:
Why it’s important to consider providing charging points;
Where in the public realm it’s of benefit to provide them;
Recommended design parameters for charging point accessibility;
Signage considerations;
Potential safety and fire hazard issues; and
Additional considerations.
Why is it important to consider providing charging points?
Motorised mobility devices, such as electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters, can be essential in supporting the mobility, independence, community engagement, and overall health and wellbeing for many people with disabilities.
A fully charged battery for a typical MMD will last for about 8 to 10 hours. However, this can vary depending on the type of MMD, terrain traversed, speed travelled, battery size and type, and combined weight of the MMD and user and any equipment such as an oxygen cylinder. And of course, life happens, so sometimes people who use MMDs may go about their day without having a well-charged battery. Providing readily accessible charging points throughout the public realm can give peace of mind to MMD users and their companions so they need not worry about being stranded if their battery runs flat when they are away from home.
A charging point in a public library.
Image copyright © Realm Access 2025
Where in the public realm is it of benefit to provide charging points?
Across Australia, it's common to see charging points provided in libraries and community centres. Some shopping centres also provide charging points but generally, elsewhere in the public realm it’s unusual to see designated MMD charging points.
A number of train stations provide charging points, however this is not currently a requirement for compliance with the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (DSAPT). In the 2022 review of DSAPT, feedback recommended that nominated assistance points should include GPOs for charging wheelchairs, highlighting the community’s desire to see infrastructure that better supports MMD users.
Consideration should be given to providing charging points within buildings and gathering spaces open to the general public, especially those used for social and community engagement and public services, including:
Courthouses and government buildings
Theatres, museums, galleries, entertainment venues and convention centres
Shopping centres and markets
Sport and recreation venues, stadiums, visitor information centres, theme parks and zoos
Hospitals and health care facilities
Schools and university campuses
Airports, public transport stations and interchanges
Libraries and community centres
Clubs, hotels and other hospitality settings
Public plazas and parks of regional, state and national significance
This library’s charging point is well thought out: in a comfortable and high amenity location, with ample circulation space, welcoming signage, and adjacent to a seating area.
Image copyright © Realm Access 2025
Considerations for the Location of MMD Charging Points
The location of charging points should consider accessibility, amenity and safety, and should be welcoming and comfortable:
in an easy to find, well-lit, quiet, high-amenity space (i.e. not in a secluded area or next to rubbish bins or the like as it is recommended MMDs are not left unattended while charging);
connected to an accessible path of travel;
set back from the connecting path of travel so MMDs do not to encroach into paths while charging;
with generous circulation space around the charging point to allow for manoeuvring of MMDs;
with direct access to the charging point GPO, unobstructed by furniture or other fixtures or joinery;
away from potential hazards, for example glass balustrades or landings to the down-flight of stairs in order to avoid harm if an MMD user accidently accelerates into a balustrade, or drives beyond the edge of a stair landing;
on a non-combustible floor finish away from soft furnishings and curtains; and
where it will not impede emergency egress should there be a battery fire.
Where charging points are provided outdoors, in addition to the above, the location should be:
in a shaded position, ideally sheltered from weather;
on a firm, well-drained surface with crossfalls no steeper than 1:40; and
away from any unprotected level change or slope that would be hazardous if an MMD user accidently drove beyond the edge of the pavement.
Where space permits, additional space for a rest spot should be provided adjacent to the charging point. This rest spot should be large enough to accommodate:
seating, so people have the option of transferring out of their MMD; and
a ‘companion space’ beside the seat as MMD users may be accompanied by an assistance animal or companion who could also be using a mobility aid such as a rollator.
Companion spaces beside seating should be on a firm and level surface, with a minimum width of 800 mm and minimum length of 1300 mm. Companion spaces should not overlap the space required for a charging MMD or the access path to the charging or seating spaces.
Seating should be recessed at least 700 mm from the access path, and should have accessible features including backrests, armrests, and space beneath the seat for rearward adjustment of feet. AS 1428.2 (1992) outlines recommended parameters to consider for the design of seating. It is also worth noting AS 1428.6 (2025), which is Part 6 of the Design for Access and Mobility suite, has recently been issued for public comment. It outlines parameters for accessible seating, and although it’s still in draft form, once this Standard is approved it will supersede a number of requirements in AS 1428.2.
Example of a GPO with large-format switches that meet AS 1428.1 requirements.
Image copyright © Realm Access 2025
Charging Point GPO
A charging point can be as simple as a standard GPO with a safety switch. MMD users must supply their own charging cable.
To improve accessibility of the GPO, the following should be considered:
Mounting the GPO at a height of 1000 mm AFFL and at least 500 mm from an internal corner is preferred as this is considered to be within the typical reach range of people both sitting and standing. Where it is not feasible to mount the GPO at 1000 mm AFFL, the GPO should be mounted with its operable parts in a zone between 600 mm and 1100 mm AFFL which is in accordance with Clause 11.2 of AS 1428.1 (2021).
GPOs should be provided with large format rocker or toggle switches with minimum dimensions of 30 mm x 30 mm in accordance with Clause 11.2 of AS 1428.1 (2021). GPOs with large format switches can be easier to use by people with arthritis, and hand and limb differences.
If access to the GPO needs to be controlled to prevent vandalism or unauthorised use, for example where a charge point is provided in a public plaza or park, consider developing a solution that utilises a Master Locksmith Access Key (MLAK). The design of any lockable enclosure to the GPO must not diminish its accessibility.
Examples of signage.
Image copyright © Realm Access 2025
Signage
Clear, welcoming and inclusive signage can help further enhance accessibility of charging points. Signage should be:
easy to understand by people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds with both text and pictograms, symbols and/or images;
easy to read with title case text in a San Serif font, regularly spaced lettering and alignment, and a height to the uppercase characters between 20 mm and 55 mm;
appropriate for people who are colourblind with a minimum 30% luminance contrast to all text and pictograms/symbols/images against the sign’s background, and a colour palette that avoids certain colour combinations (such as red and green in particular); and
mounted in a comfortable common viewing range between 1200 mm and 1600 mm AFFL.
Fire Safety Considerations
Electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters typically use either lead acid batteries or lithium-ion batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries are more expensive but are considered the best option for MMDs as they are lighter, longer-lasting, faster to charge and more compact in size. However, lithium-ion batteries can catch fire if used or charged incorrectly, or if damaged or faulty. During charging as the battery heats up, the risk of a fire is increased and unfortunately there have been a number of fires across Australia attributed to faulty lithium-ion batteries in mobility scooters.
For this reason, designers should consult with the project building surveyor, fire engineer and electrical engineer for specialist advice about fire safety and egress compliance requirements.
This charging point was difficult to find due to poor signage.
Image copyright © Realm Access 2025
Staff Awareness Training
During the preparation of this article, we had two experiences that highlighted the importance of providing staff awareness training.
At one library, staff were unaware there was a charging point available even though it was advertised on their website. The staff were very kind and helpful and we found the charging point relatively quickly. The GPO had a tiny sign attached to it that was not noticeable from a distance.
In another location, a customer service representative we spoke to told us that not only do they not offer charging points within any of their council buildings, they do not permit mobility scooters to enter any council buildings due to their concerns over the risk of battery fires.
Mobility scooters can be considered to be a ‘disability aid’ for people with disabilities. Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA), which is Commonwealth legislation that makes it unlawful to discriminate against people with disabilities, a disability aid is defined as equipment used by a person with a disability that provides assistance to alleviate the effect of the disability. Section 8 of the Act makes it clear that the DDA applies to a disability aid in the same way it applies to a person with a disability. Denying entry to people who rely on a mobility scooter to help alleviate the effect of their disability could expose an organisation or business to a complaint under the DDA.
Staff awareness training can be an excellent step towards creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, and ensures staff understand their legal obligations under the DDA.
Additional Considerations
Providing a charging point is only one way of improving accessibility of the built environment for people who use MMDs. As feedback from the 2022 review of DSAPT has highlighted, greater consideration should be given to the needs of people who use larger electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters. In particular, consideration should be given to providing adequate circulation space for all users, especially for mobility scooter users. Compared to wheelchairs, many mobility scooters have a larger footprint, are heavier, and can be more difficult to manoeuvre.
The access requirements of the National Construction Code / Building Code of Australia (NCC / BCA) and the Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010, reference the Australian Standards for accessibility including AS 1428.1 and AS 1428.2. These outline circulation spaces that accommodate 80th and 90th percentile wheelchair sizes and users. However, these Standards do not include requirements for wheelchairs that are larger than the 90th percentile size, nor do they outline any requirements for mobility scooters. To address this shortfall, there is a limited but growing body of literature, including research papers, International Standards and guidelines, that provide recommendations for increased widths to paths, turning spaces and passing spaces to better accommodate larger electric wheelchairs and mobility scooter users.
In addition to providing guidance about enhancements to circulation spaces clients may wish to adopt in their projects, Realm Access also offers specialist advice as to how to better accommodate MMDs in relation to:
Office, commercial and retail settings;
Streetscapes and pedestrian infrastructure;
Lifts;
Parking spaces and temporary clear spaces near amenities, reception areas, food courts and the like;
Storage and charging areas for mobility scooters in aged care facilities and seniors’ living communities; and
Housing and accommodation including SDA and Livable Housing dwellings, as well as hotels and residential developments.
For more information or to discuss your project, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Posted 10th August 2025