1. Chris Turner National Sports Director

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. National Disability Sports Organisations

8. 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

9. Spinal Injury Centres

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

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

19. 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

20. twitter.com/wheelpower
Further information / Signposting
twitter.com/wheelpower

21. 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

22. National Sports Director chris.turner@wheelpower.org.uk 01296 395995
Chris Turner
National Sports Director