International Wheelchair Day
March 1st is International Wheelchair Day!
It was launched 13 years ago and is celebrated across the world, providing wheelchair users with an opportunity to celebrate how important their wheelchairs are to them.
Here at Aergo Health, we regularly work with young wheelchair users and their families on the development of our products and over the years we’ve picked up some really useful advice which we thought we’d share with you.
Don’t make assumptions about what a wheelchair user can or can’t do!
Engage with the person using the wheelchair. If a person using a wheelchair is out with a partner, family member or carer don’t just talk to the person standing up.
Don’t squat to talk to someone using a wheelchair - it perfectly acceptable to stand and have a conversation while someone is sitting in their wheelchair. You wouldn’t squat to chat to someone sitting in an office chair or at a table in a cafe.
NEVER EVER move a person’s wheelchair - just like you wouldn’t physically man-handle someone out your way.
Do offer help - if you see a wheelchair user that you think might need help, it is OK to offer help. Just don’t be offended if they say, ‘No, thank you I can manage.’
No jokes - ‘I wish I could travel like that’, ‘Do you need a license for that thing’?, ‘Slow down or you’ll get a ticket’. They’re not funny or original.
In short, the best advice we have been given is that when you interact with someone in a wheelchair or with a disability talk to them like you would an able-bodied person.
If that person has difficulty with communication or a learning disability, generally they will have someone there to support or assist them with communication (but don’t forget number 1 :) and if they don’t, a little bit of patience helps!
For more information about International Wheelchair Day click here.
