Famous People Who Use or Used Wheelchairs: A Comprehensive List

Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2017/11/10 - Updated: 2025/05/22
Publication Type: Awareness, Appreciation
Category Topic: Famous Disabled People - Academic Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: This information provides a comprehensive and authoritative overview of notable individuals who have used or currently use wheelchairs, highlighting the diversity and achievements of people with disabilities across various fields. Compiled by a respected editor and advocate with expertise in disability rights, the article is useful for raising awareness, challenging stereotypes, and offering relatable role models for people with disabilities, seniors, and others interested in accessibility issues. The list spans politicians such as Franklin D. Roosevelt and Greg Abbott, scientists like Stephen Hawking, entertainers including Ali Stroker and Daryl Mitchell, and activists such as Ed Roberts and Judith Heumann, emphasizing that mobility challenges do not preclude significant social, cultural, or political contributions. By showcasing these figures, the information serves as a valuable resource for educators, advocates, and anyone seeking to understand the impact and visibility of wheelchair users in society - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

A wheelchair is a wheeled mobility device in which the user sits, propelled either manually or via various automated systems. Wheelchairs are used by people for whom walking is difficult or impossible due to illness, injury, or disability. The earliest record of the wheelchair in England dates from the 1670s.

Main Content

Today, there are many types of wheelchairs, and they are often highly customized for the individual user's needs. Types of wheelchairs include Beach wheelchairs, Sports wheelchairs, Electric wheelchairs, and Manual wheelchairs. A mobility scooter is a motorized assist device, but with a steering 'tiller' or bar instead of the joystick found on wheelchairs.

A smart wheelchair uses an artificial control system which augments or replaces user control. Its purpose is to reduce or eliminate the task of driving a motorized wheelchair. Smart wheelchairs usually employ sonar, infrared sensors or laser rangefinders to detect obstacles and to ensure that the platform does not collide with them.

Adapting buildings and surroundings to make them more accessible to wheelchair users is one of the key campaigns of disability rights movements and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

List of Well Known and Famous People Who Use and Used Wheelchairs

  • Abdelaziz Bouteflika
  • Ady Barkan
  • Alan Holdsworth
  • Ali Bongo Ondimba
  • Ali Stroker
  • Alice Chancellor
  • Alison Kafer
  • Allen Daviau
  • Alonso Lujambio
  • Ambrogio Fogar
  • Anne Begg
  • Augustus d'Este
  • Batong Pham
  • Beryl Potter
  • Bob Dole
  • Brad Lomax
  • Brian Crowley
  • Cecil Ivory
  • Charles Krauthammer
  • Cherylee Houston
  • Christopher Reeve
  • Chuck Austin
  • Chuck Close
  • Clement Chiwaya
  • Dana Bolles
  • Daniela Filipiová
  • Darryl Stingley
  • Daryl Mitchell - Actor
  • David Lega
  • David Weir - Athlete
  • Death of Michael Hickson
  • Dennis Byrd
  • Dianne H. Pilgrim
  • Doug Mowat
  • Droz - wrestler
  • Dynamite Kid
  • Ed Roberts - Activist
  • Eiko Kimura
  • Elizabeth Twistington Higgins
  • Emmy Kaiser
  • Eric LeGrand
  • Evelyn Mulry Moore
  • Ferenc Hirt
  • Floy Schoenfelder
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt
  • Freddie Blassie
  • Gabriela Michetti
  • George H. W. Bush
  • George Robinson - Actor
  • George Wallace
  • Getatchew Haile
  • Greg Abbott
  • Gundega Cenne
  • Guro Fjellanger
  • Helen Anne Henderson
  • Helen Knubel
  • Helen Phillips Levin
  • Hennadiy Kernes
  • Ida Daly
  • Isabel Newstead
  • Itzhak Perlman
  • Jack Carroll - Comedian
  • Jack Tatum
  • James Langevin
  • James Troesh
  • Jan Filip Libicki
  • Jane Campbell - Baroness Campbell of Surbiton
  • Jayapraga Reddy
  • Jeremiah Wright
  • Jill Kinmont Boothe
  • Jillian Mercado
  • John McFall - Athlete
  • John Nord
  • John Paul Getty III
  • John Porter East
  • Jonathan Magbie
  • Jordanne Whiley
  • Jordon Steele-John
  • Jorge González - Wrestler
  • Jorge Triaca Jr.
  • Judith Heumann
  • Kafani
  • Kamala - Wrestler
  • Karine Elharrar
  • Karpal Singh
  • Katharina KrĂĽger
  • Keak da Sneak
  • Kelly Vincent
  • Kenny Baker - English actor
  • Kerry McGregor
  • Kevin Strickland
  • La Parka - wrestler
  • Larry Flynt
  • LenĂ­n Moreno
  • Lenny Johnrose
  • Lex Luger
  • Lilian Dibo Eyong
  • Liz Carr
  • Lola Ochoa
  • Lord Alfred Hayes
  • Madison Cawthorn
  • Malu Dreyer
  • Marek Plura
  • Marguerite Stuber Pearson
  • Marilyn Warren Woods
  • Mark Zupan - Athlete
  • Martin Magga
  • Mary Gennoy
  • Matilda Ibini
  • MaĹ‚gorzata Olejnik
  • Mike Biggar
  • Mike Sharpe
  • Mike Utley
  • Miloš Zeman
  • Nicholas Sposato
  • Nick Dupree
  • Nigel Benn
  • Pablo Echenique
  • Pam Duncan-Glancy
  • Paul Wiggins - Athlete
  • Paula Whetu Jones
  • Peg Leg Bates
  • Ras Adiba Radzi
  • Rick Hansen
  • Rob Pyne
  • Robert Durst
  • Robert Wyatt
  • Rosa May Billinghurst
  • Rosalie Hixson
  • Rosemary Front
  • Ruth Madeley
  • Samuel Koch
  • Sarah Jama
  • Seán Connick
  • Sean Stephenson
  • Senarath Attanayake
  • Shannon Murray
  • Sophie Morgan
  • Stella Young
  • Stephanie Aeffner
  • Stephen Hawking
  • SĹ‚awomir Jan Piechota
  • Tim Curry
  • Tove Linnea Brandvik
  • Valeriy Sushkevych
  • W Mitchell
  • Whitey Bulger
  • Wolfgang Schäuble
  • Yasuhiko Funago
  • Yinka Ayefele
  • Yuval Wagner
  • Zaruhi Batoyan

NOTE: If you notice any inaccuracies in this list, please reach out to us so we can correct it. Additionally, if you believe someone should be added to this list, please provide us with their name and any information to verify their disability. We value your help, and you can contact us here.

You can also view our other lists of famous and well-known people with various disabilities and conditions, including actors, politicians, and writers who contributed to society.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: The breadth of this list not only underscores the resilience and accomplishments of wheelchair users but also serves as a reminder that accessibility and inclusion are ongoing societal responsibilities. By documenting the achievements of these individuals, the article invites readers to reconsider preconceived notions about disability and to recognize the importance of accessible environments and equal opportunities for all - Disabled World (DW).

Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.

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Citing and References

Founded in 2004, Disabled World (DW) is a leading resource on disabilities, assistive technologies, and accessibility, supporting the disability community. Learn more on our About Us page.

Cite This Page: Disabled World. (2017, November 10 - Last revised: 2025, May 22). Famous People Who Use or Used Wheelchairs: A Comprehensive List. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved October 4, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/disability/awareness/famous/wchairs.php

Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/disability/awareness/famous/wchairs.php">Famous People Who Use or Used Wheelchairs: A Comprehensive List</a>: A detailed list of famous people who use or used wheelchairs, highlighting their achievements and promoting awareness of disability and accessibility.

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