Chris Turner National Sports Director

WheelPower information webex Aim: Help develop your wheelchair specific knowledge and considerations Support you in your workshop delivery to delegates who: are wheelchair users or work with wheelchair users Support you to embed equality and inclusion in the workshops you deliver Raise awareness of WheelPower so that you can signpost to us or to organisations that we work with For SCUK tutor workforce 25 mins to deliver followed by time for any questions that the tutors might have No video clips

About us National charity for wheelchair sport Owners of Stoke Mandeville Stadium - national centre for disability sport Birthplace of the Paralympic Movement Vision: Transforming Lives Through Sport

To increase participation in wheelchair sport Mission: Provide, promote and develop opportunities for disabled people to participate in wheelchair sport and physical activity Purpose: Support individuals to find sports which they are passionate about and enjoy Aims: To increase participation in wheelchair sport To provide iconic facilities at Stoke Mandeville Stadium To raise awareness of WheelPower and wheelchair sport To use the heritage of Stoke Mandeville and the power of the Paralympic Games to inspire  

Key Partners Disabled Peoples Organisations Spinal Injury Centres Member sports National Disability Sports Disabled Peoples Organisations Spinal Injury Centres NGB’s / CSPs

Member sports associations British Disabled Fencing Association British Sledge Hockey Association British Weightlifting Association for the Disabled British Wheelchair Archery Association British Wheelchair Athletics Association British Wheelchair Bowls Association British Wheelchair Cue Sports Association British Wheelchair Racing Association Disability Target Shooting Great Britain Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Handcycling UK Table Tennis England The Tennis Foundation

National Disability Sports Organisations  

Disabled Peoples Organisations Shine Back Up Spinal Injuries Association Whizz-Kidz Scope Aspire Leonard Cheshire Disability Go Kids Go SportsAble Apparelyzed Royal British Legion NHS wheelchair services Community based organisations who have greater market reach – interact with disabled/wheelchair users on a daily basis and they trust them

Spinal Injury Centres

Understanding the market There are over 9.4 million disabled people in England 3.4 million people: mobility impairment 726,000 wheelchair users (8% of disabled people) 72% of wheelchair users are over 60 45,000 people are spinal cord injured  

9.4 million people 3.4 million people 726,000 people 45,000 people Disabled Mobility impairments Wheelchair users Spinal cord injured 9.4 million people 3.4 million people 726,000 people 45,000 people

Who does WheelPower represent? People with a physical or locomotor impairment who: Use a wheelchair in everyday life Require a wheelchair for sport (manual) Spinal muscular atrophy Cerebral palsy Spinal cord injury - Tetraplegia Spinal cord injury - Paraplegia Multiple sclerosis Spina bifida Amputation or limb loss Motor neuron disease Muscular dystrophy (and associated conditions) A person with locomotor disability will have limited movement of body parts People with these impairments may use a wheelchair

39.9% 17% 16.2% 75.4% Current participation: Disabled people and sport of non-disabled people participate in sport once a week 39.9% of disabled people participate in sport once a week 17% of people with a physical impairment participate in sport once a week 16.2% of people with a physical impairment do not participation in sport at all 75.4%   A disabled person is half as likely to take part in sport as a non-disabled person

Participation Motivations Barriers Wheelchair users and sport: Top 5 Participation Swimming Gym Wheelchair basketball Walking / Pushing Cycling / Handcycling Motivations Increase fitness Socialising Fun Improve health Increase confidence Barriers Lack of opportunity Lack of accessible venue Health reasons Expense of equipment Expense of participation  

Things to think about when you are delivering to manual wheelchair users The following considerations are common characteristics for wheelchair users but they may not apply to all: Each w/c users mobility will differ - check their range of movement, work together and don’t assume what they can or can’t do A w/c user may be able to participate in standing and weight bearing exercises, assess each person individually Wheelchair users may tire easily because of their impairment and lack of motor skill efficiency - take regular breaks

Make sure w/c users take in plenty of fluids as they may struggle with temperature regulation Be aware of hot and cold surfaces, as w/c users may have lack of sensation in their touch A w/c user may have a lack of sensation below their lesion so they may need to be monitored during activity for damage such as cuts and bruises A w/c user may be able to transfer onto equipment or the floor independently - it is not advisable to assist them unless you have undertaken the appropriate training

General behaviour Speak directly to the wheelchair user rather than communicating through their personal assistant When communicating; try and be at eye level where possible as it can be uncomfortable for wheelchair users to look upwards for long periods of time Avoid touching a persons wheelchair Don’t push the person’s wheelchair without asking initially if it’s ok to do so Be aware of current socially accepted terminology

Correct terminology to use when talking about or to wheelchair users Disability terminology (what’s correct/incorrect) changes quite regularly

Access for wheelchair users: location / venue Local accessible transport links Orange / blue badge holder parking Wheelchair accessible toilet facilities / changing rooms Ramps / accessible lifts should be in place if required Classroom tables and chairs positioned to allow access for a wheelchair user

twitter.com/wheelpower Further information / Signposting www.wheelpower.org.uk www.facebook.com/wheelchairsport twitter.com/wheelpower

How can WheelPower support you? Advice on wheelchair sport Connections with key partners Connect with wheelchair users Annual programme of events Advice on sports wheelchairs Resources: Coaching / Delivery Marketing / Communication Engaging wheelchair users ABCs of Sports Wheelchair Movement workshop Sports wheelchair maintenance videos WheelPower membership

National Sports Director chris.turner@wheelpower.org.uk 01296 395995   Chris Turner National Sports Director chris.turner@wheelpower.org.uk 01296 395995 07889 716669 www.wheelpower.org.uk