After using a wheelchair for 16 years and experiencing the life-changing difference that comes from learning wheelchair skills, Pete Donnelly founded the Wheelchair Skills College with the vision that every wheelchair user could have access to these vital skills that can build confidence and independence.
More than just a nice to have, Pete tells us he believes wheelchair literacy is a human right. “Everyone has the right to liberty, and by not teaching the skills that make people independent, we deny them that agency and control.”
Pete has been working with schools over the past year to ensure young wheelchair users have the skills they need to fulfill their potential and raise their aspirations in an inaccessible world.
One of the schools shares the impact of a student learning to open doors from his wheelchair. “His little face just lit up. I could see the confidence in him because he knew he could start being a little bit more independent.”
“I think that’s why he sat a bit bigger. After that session of learning how to open doors, he now uses this when moving about at school. It has a huge impact on his daily life.”
Based on the positive results of wheelchair skills training in schools so far, Pete tells us there is still a long way to go and is working with children, parents and teachers to develop a more in-depth training program to support young wheelchair users.
on 1St On March 14th, International Wheelchair Day, Pete will be delivering a series of workshops at the Marjorie McClure School in Chislehurst, Bromley, aimed at raising awareness of wheelchair skills.
The workshops follow the theme “Bringing the wheelchair community together” and will include wheelchair skills, wheelchair games, classroom lifestyle sessions and opportunities for children and teachers who also do not use a wheelchair.
