Costco has many different on-site facilities to make sure those with certain ailments and other disabilities have the ability to shop with relative ease. Accessibility is an important and necessary feature to include in any business and is mandated by the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).
You may be wondering what specific accessibility features Costco offers, though. Do these accessibility features include motorized carts and/or wheelchairs?
To find the answer to this question, we did some research, and in this article, we will share all of our findings with you.
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Does Costco Offer Motorized Carts And Wheelchairs In 2023?
Costco does offer both motorized carts and wheelchairs to any customers that may need them due to a disability or injury. They both come with carts that can be detached. They are also free for guests to use.
Costco offers cart assistance programs to help individuals with disabilities get around the store, as well.
Beyond these accessibility options, Costco also offers shopping assistants to help shoppers with accessibility needs who are by themselves during their shopping trip in-store. These shopping assistants will remain with the customer throughout their shopping trip. Costco is also notably pet-friendly and follows the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) guidelines regarding service animals.
The parking lots at Costco also provide accessible options. If you would like more information on any of these accessibility features, continue reading.
What Are Motorized Carts?
Motorized carts are a type of motorized scooter with a large basket attached to the front that people with certain disabilities that affect ambulatory functions can make use of to navigate through a store. Many people refer to motorized carts as electric scooters or power scooters.
This mobility vehicle is designed to help anyone with ambulatory problems get around on their own to wherever they need to go, in a safe way. These scooters use a rechargeable battery pack, and many stores that feature them have charging stations for them. They are widely provided at many different large retailers, including Costco.
What Does Each Mobility Cart Offer?
Each mobility cart comes with a wide variety of features that assist the person using it while they navigate the store. Most motorized carts have a seat that has an adjustable height and shoulder pads that can be removed when needed.
As mentioned above, each one has its own rechargeable battery pack so that the customer can freely go around the store when the mobility cart is unplugged from the main power supply.
There is a removable key to start up the motorized cart. The steering handle controls the direction that the motorized cart is going in, and it also handles the speed that the cart is going at.
There is a speed dial to see how fast the cart is going, although they tend to not move very fast. An LED battery gauge is also included on the steering handle so that the user can tell when it needs to be charged again.
Does Costco Have Scooters For Disabled Customers?
There are electric shopping carts available for Costco customers to use should they want to during their shopping trip. These carts are electric scooters with a cart at the front to put your selected items in. Anyone with accessibility needs is able to use these motorized carts free of charge.
To ensure that you have access to one if you need it, it is always a great idea to call the warehouse ahead of time prior to your visit and reserve one for your shopping trip. This way, you can avoid not having access to one upon turning up at your nearby Costco.
Motorized shopping carts make it easier for those with ambulatory disabilities, as well as other disabilities, to navigate around the store and find what they need.
Does Costco Have Wheelchairs For Customers?
If a guest with accessibility needs would rather use a wheelchair over a motorized cart, they won’t have any issues at Costco. The company provides wheelchairs as well for customers in need. Carts are able to be attached to the front of the wheelchair so that you are able to collect any items that you want to purchase.
Costco’s in-store wheelchairs are recommended for those who have someone with them to provide assistance while shopping. Employees can also offer help if they prefer a wheelchair and are alone.
If you do require a wheelchair and also need employee assistance, just ask the Costco employee at the door, and they will set you up with a wheelchair and shopping assistant to help you during your shopping trip.
Can You Take Someone With You To Help You Shop?
The short answer is yes. Costco policy allows members to bring up to 2 guests with them on shopping trips. Therefore, if you need assistance to do your shopping, you are allowed to bring in a close family member or a friend to help you.
If you are not a Costco member and are using a Costco Cash Card to shop in the store, you will be unable to bring assistance with you. No guests are permitted when using a Costco Cash Card. However, there are employees who can assist you in the store.
Can An Employee Assist You While Shopping In-Store?
If you are by yourself and have accessibility needs that require assistance when shopping, an employee can act as a stand-in assistant shopper for you. They will help you find everything you need throughout your shopping trip and assist you at check out as well.
To have an employee help you while you shop, just ask the person who checks memberships at the door, and they will arrange for someone to come and help you throughout your shopping trip. Again, you should call ahead to confirm availability and make sure someone will be able to help you when you arrive.
Can You Bring A Service Animal With You To Costco?
In most cases, service animals are allowed in-store at Costco. They are permitted due to the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), which strictly outlines what animals can be service animals and the requirements for service animals. As of right now, the only animals that can be classified as service animals through the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) are dogs.
Costco employees are allowed to ask only questions about the status of a service animal if they need to make sure the service animal is allowed in the store. This can be done by asking the owner to confirm the role of the animal or what tasks and functions it is trained to perform if needed.
Each service animal is different, and many have unique abilities that are specific to their owner’s needs. Costco staff are not allowed to ask about the owner’s disability or ask them to provide medical documentation for proof.
Regular household pets and emotional support pets are not allowed in Costco’s warehouses. Emotional support animals are not covered under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and, therefore, are not going to be allowed to enter any Costco location. This is because pets are different from service animals, and they do not receive the same strict training that service animals do.
Does Costco Offer Accessible Parking?
As of 2010, the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requires that any new or updated parking lots have accessible parking spaces for those in need of them. Following these mandates, Costco has started to provide accessible parking spaces to their customers who may need them.
Each Costco warehouse parking lot provides several accessible spaces for those with disabilities to park in when visiting the store. Typically, such car parking spots are near the front of the store.
Accessible spaces are specifically designed to have more space, which is needed for those with disabilities, especially when using an ambulatory device. They are also marked with a sign to make sure everyone knows that it is an accessible parking space.
Costco also makes sure there are limited barriers in the parking lot and entrance and exit to the store, so that customers with accessibility needs and those using devices that assist with ambulatory needs will have an easier time navigating them during their shopping trip. This is another guideline provided by the ADA that businesses are required to follow.
Are There Accessibility Features On Costco.com?
Costco consistently aims to make its website as accessible as possible for those with accessibility needs. Costco utilizes many different ways to keep Costco.com user friendly. There are captions for videos, color contrast ratios, text equivalents, and appropriate labels, among other features.
Costo.com is also structured with ease of use in mind. The site is set up in a way that allows it to be used with assistive technologies. If a customer with a disability is having any trouble using the site, they are encouraged to call 1-800-955-2292 during certain hours to receive the assistance they need. Live Chat is also provided for those who need extra assistance.
Does Costco Sell Motorized Carts And/Or Wheelchairs?
A variety of motorized carts and wheelchairs are sold in Costco’s stores and online. If you are in-store, you can ask an employee to direct you to the section for motorized carts and wheelchairs.
If you are shopping online, you can find motorized carts, wheelchairs, and other accessibility products in the Health and Personal Care section, under the category named Wheelchairs, Walkers, and Medical Alert Devices. All of the options sold on Costco.com have at least a 4 star rating and are priced fairly.
An example of the types of wheelchairs provided by Costco is the Freedom 3 Transport Wheelchair made by Medline. It is FSA eligible, comes in red, and is sold for $169.99. Another wheelchair sold by Costco is the Miracle Mobility Platinum 8000 Electric Wheelchair. This wheelchair is much more expensive at $1,899.99, but it is motorized and has a joystick for directional control. It can also fold up to fit in the trunk of a car.
All of the wheelchair options can be bought from Costco either in-store or online. It’s also worth mentioning that Costco does deliveries, which means that you can have your purchase delivered straight to your doorstep.
And of course, if you’d like to, you can always tip your Costco drivers. They’ll appreciate it.
Conclusion
Costco makes sure to provide several different accessibility options in-store and on its website. This includes providing motorized carts and wheelchairs to any guest with a disability who may require assistance while shopping.
Costco also allows members to bring up to 2 guests with them, while shopping in-store. This allows customers to bring a shopping assistant with them if they require one. Employees can also stand in as shopping assistants if the customer is alone and requires help while shopping.
Service animals are always permitted in Costco’s stores. Employees are allowed to clarify the functions the service animal performs to confirm credentials. Emotional support pets and other pets are not allowed in Costco.
If you are in the market for a motorized scooter or wheelchair, Costco also sells them at the affordable prices the company is known for. Simply go to the warehouse or look online to find one that is appropriate for your needs.
