Wheelchair skills training
Whizz-Kidz believes that a vital part of providing disabled children with mobility equipment is making sure they know how to use it. This not only increases their independence, but means they learn how to be safe and have fun at the same time.
Exciting news for 2009
From January onwards we will be delivering more wheelchair training than ever before! We have consulted with lots of children, young people, their parents and professionals and now have a new wheelchair training programme we believe will be even more fun for participants, giving them even more skills to be as independent and confident as possible. We will be splitting wheelchair training attendees into beginner and advanced groups and have tailored training for manual chair and power chair users.
Our wheelchair training programme, originally launched in 2002, has increased the mobility skills of hundreds of disabled children and young people across the UK. All of our wheelchair training is delivered by adults who are skilled trainers and very knowledgeable about wheelchairs. They are handpicked to be great role models for the children.
The wheelchair training programme has been designed to ensure that disabled children and young people get the most out of their wheelchairs. It’s suitable for both manual and powered wheelchair users and teaches vital skills using a combination of games, sports and group activities.
Throughout the wheelchair training participant’s progress is closely monitored by the wheelchair trainers, who work hard to ensure each disabled child has the support they need to get the most from the wheelchair training. At the end of the training they receive a signed certificate congratulating them on their achievement.
In our experience disabled children and young people irrespective of their current skills go away with increased confidence and a greater sense of independence. The wheelchair training is also a lot of fun and a great way to make new friends.
Our training is flexible enough to be adapted to the specific needs of the different groups of disabled children we work with. The wheelchair training is delivered through games, discussions and one to one support. Throughout the training we focus on the following important skills:
Spatial awareness
This helps to avoid unnecessary bumps and scrapes and improves levels of accuracy when getting used to turning and travelling at different speeds in a wheelchair. It also enables young people to be in control of their wheelchair and be aware of those around them.
Route planning
This allows young people to find their way around with ease using different problem solving techniques, including negotiating doors, slopes and different types of surfaces.
Road safety
This is a very important aspect of the wheelchair training through which participants learn all the necessary skills to ensure their safety when out and about enjoying their independence. In this part of the wheelchair training programme young people identify hazards on and near the road, discuss how they can use their senses to stay safe and if appropriate practice a safe road crossing.
Sports activities
Young people get a taste of wheelchair sports and how they can get involved in sporting activities.
Negotiating kerbs
Some young people are able to practice back wheel bouncing or kerb climbing if in a power wheelchair. We look at using these skills to negotiate kerbs and small steps and address how to route plan effectively as an alternative method of negotiating these obstacles.
Booking a place and further information
To find out about your nearest wheelchair training programme, please take a look at our wheelchair skills training calendar
To book a place or if you would like more information about future wheelchair training programmes and how you can get involved, email us or call the Wheelchair training team on 020 7233 6110.
To see wheelchair training in action, take a look at our film.
Volunteering
We need volunteers to support our wheelchair training programmes, so why not check out our calendar and see if there’s a scheme in your area. All volunteers undergo a Criminal Records Bureau check.
If you’d like to apply to be a volunteer, please call the Wheelchair skills training team on 020 7233 6110 or email us
Developing a national programme
Wheelchair Skills Training is now a core service at Whizz-Kidz and we are writing an improved programme of exercises to ensure we are meeting the diverse needs of the particpants throughout the UK. This will be launched in early 2009.
If you’re a company interested in sponsoring wheelchair training, please contact our Corporate fundraising team on 020 7233 6600 or email us.
I would like to make a regular donation!
Being an ambassador is a really good opportunity to try new stuff, make new friends, be more independent and express my opinion