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.
Our wheelchair skills training programme, originally launched in 2002, has increased the mobility skills of hundreds of children and young people across the UK. All of our training is delivered by experienced, adult, wheelchair users, who are handpicked to be great role models for the children.
The programme has been designed to ensure that disabled children and young people get the most out of their mobility equipment. 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 training participant’s progress is charted in a personal log book which they take home when they’ve complete the training – together with a signed certificate congratulating them on their achievement.
In our experience children and young people irrespective of their current skills go away with increased confidence and a greater sense of independence. The 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 we work with. The training is delivered through games, discussions and one to one support and generally includes the following:
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. It also enables young people to be in control of their wheelchair and 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 different types of entrances and surfaces.
Road safety
This is a very important aspect of the 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 programme young people learn how to judge the speed of traffic, identify the appropriate places to cross the road and predict potential hazards.
Wheelchair maintenance
An expert provides all participants with advice and tips on how to take care of their wheelchair – essential if young people are to get the most from it at all times.
Sports activities
Young people get a taste of wheelchair sports and how they can get involved in sporting activities.
Back-wheel balancing (wheelies)
This essential skill allows young people to get up kerbs, small steps and escalators – vital in today’s street environment. We also teach powered wheelchair users how to use kerb climbers.
Future Developments
We are committed to ensuring the content of our schemes is as relevant as possible for the young people who attend. We undertake regular consultations with young people and their families and we are always looking to improve training. If you would like to suggest an activity or skill please email us.
Booking a place and further information
To find out about your nearest 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 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
Thanks to the support of The Big Lottery and other corporate partners we are able to deliver wheelchair training throughout the UK, but we are seeking further funding to develop a broader national programme and reach all those young people who need training in 2008 and beyond.
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!
It is important having an ambassador network because it helps raise the profile of Whizz-Kidz so children can get their wheelchairs quicker