Wheelchair-friendly trolleys are rolling out at Coles and Woolies! Here's how to grab yours!

For many Australians with disability, grocery shopping can be an exhausting ordeal—so difficult that some avoid shops altogether.

But a recent discovery by a Canadian visitor at Coles has revealed a simple, often overlooked solution that has quietly existed in Australian supermarkets for years.

It’s a small change that can mean the world to those who use wheelchairs.

Brennan Noeth, 28, from Canada, knows the challenges of life in a wheelchair all too well. In May 2023, he suffered a spinal injury after a snowboarding accident in Whistler that left him paralysed from the waist down.

Despite the life-changing injury, Brennan’s spirit stayed strong. During his recent Australian holiday, he was thrilled to spot something that made shopping far easier—a trolley designed to clip directly onto wheelchairs.

The trolley that changes everything

These wheelchair-compatible trolleys attach via a simple clip to the front of most standard wheelchairs. Once clipped on, users can steer freely without the strain of balancing a basket on their lap or dragging a regular trolley.

A well-kept secret

Here’s the surprising part: these trolleys have been available in Coles stores for years. A Coles spokesperson confirmed that ‘our wheelchair-compatible trolleys are available at every Coles with a trolley fleet and can be found at the front of the store.’

Yet Brennan’s video sparked widespread surprise online. Many Australians said they had never noticed these trolleys before.

Where to find wheelchair trolleys in Australia

If you can’t locate them, ask at the service desk—staff can show you where they’re stored.

Beyond wheelchairs: a broader accessibility push

These wheelchair trolleys are just one part of a wider movement in Australian retail to improve accessibility. Coles and Woolworths have introduced ‘additional needs trolleys’—larger seats with full harnesses and weight limits designed for children with disabilities—across hundreds of stores.

These initiatives respond to the needs of 5.5 million Australians with disability, a number larger than the population of Sydney. Still, many accessibility features remain invisible to those who do not need them.

The independence factor

Brennan’s story touched many because it highlighted something profound—the ability to shop independently. For wheelchair users, this simple freedom can be life-changing.

The UK has offered similar wheelchair-accessible trolleys in major supermarkets for over 20 years, while Canada and parts of the US are still catching up with this accessibility standard.

Room for improvement

While the trolleys are a positive step, challenges remain. Reaching items on high shelves is still difficult.

Availability also varies. Despite Coles’ assurances, some shoppers say these trolleys aren’t always easy to find or are stored away from the main trolley bays.

Making shopping accessible for all

Brennan’s viral discovery reminds us that accessibility features only work when people know about them. His own journey—from an active young man who loved snowboarding, hiking and cliff-jumping to someone navigating life in a wheelchair—makes his message all the more powerful.

For thousands of Australians struggling with balancing baskets on their laps or avoiding shops altogether, these trolleys offer hope. They exist, they’re free to use, and they’re waiting at your local store—you just need to know where to look.