International Wheelchair Day

Community

Treloar's is celebrating International Wheelchair Day by showcasing different methods of wheelchair driving.

Treloar's student driving away in her wheelchair; she is moving down a wide, empty hallway with wooden floors and bright overhead lights.

International Wheelchair Day is celebrated annually on March 1.

This week to mark International Wheelchair Day, we are raising awareness of the crucial role wheelchairs play in the lives of millions of people worldwide.

At Treloar's, wheelchairs support mobility and independence of our students. Being able to move in the environment gives choice and control, this is important for everyone whatever their ability. Developing wheelchair driving skills can lead to all forms of independence in daily life at school, home and in the community.

Practising wheelchair driving skills

Our smart platform and tiny trax chairs give those without their own powered chairs a chance to have a go and develop their skills. We help our students to develop their skills by finding the most suitable access method for them: eye gaze, switches, joystick, scanners. Equipment is tailored to the individual person and adjusted as needed. 

Treloar School using head switches and a hand switch to drive her wheelchair in a bright indoor space.

Treloar School student Anna has been working to develop her independent mobility skills whilst at Treloar's. She uses a hand switch to move forward and 2 head switches to give left and right direction. She is developing her skills combining the head and hand switches to navigate her environment more smoothly. 

Treloar's student in his powered wheelchair which he drives using his foot; he is in a classroom setting with educational posters on the walls.

Alex is a college student with complex cerebral palsy who demonstrates more control with his foot than other parts of his body. He has been able to develop his independent mobility skills through use of bespoke foot operated joystick and switches.

Treloar's primary student seated in a tiny trax chair wheelchair inside a spacious building with large windows and plants nearby.

Treloar's primary student Scarlett is using switches on her tray to move in different directions as she is starting to develop independent mobility in a powered chair.

Treloar's student wearing a yellow sweater and navy pants, driving his wheelchair using his chin to control the joystick and driving his wheelchair.

Jamie is a college student who has significantly limited hand function and has learnt to control a joystick using his chin in order to operate his powered chair. This enables him to drive his chair throughout the day around the college campus.    

Treloar's Occupational Therapy Team loves helping our young people develop their skills as we know the difference it can make in their lives.

Watch the videos of all the students driving on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLI_8SBDBD8FPV_tI2_s6OyBolc6JxCLim