This year, International Wheelchair Day (IWD) will celebrate its 11th event, and supporters will host activities worldwide on 1st March 2019.
This awareness day was launched by lifelong wheelchair user, and accessibility and disability rights campaigner Steve Wilkinson (better known as Wheelchair Steve), back in 2008 to ‘make the world more accessible for other wheelchair users and those with mobility needs’.
For more than 20 years, Wilkinson has worked passionately on a number of initiatives to improve the situation for people with specific access needs in a bid to make the world a more accessible place for wheelchair users. He believes that despite the disability legislation in the UK, many businesses disregard their obligations to remove physical barriers.
To date, celebrations have taken place in Australia, Nepal, Senegal, South Africa, Bangladesh, Pakistan, United Kingdom and United States of America.
IWD 2019 GOALS
International Wheelchair Day has three main objectives:
- To enable wheelchair users to celebrate the positive impact a wheelchair has in their lives.
- To celebrate the great work of the many millions of people who provide wheelchairs, as well as support and care for wheelchair users to make the world a better and more accessible place for people with mobility issues.
- To focus attention on the fact there are millions of people around the world who need a wheelchair, but are unable to acquire one.
For more information, on how to take part and celebrate the day, check out: https://internationalwheelchairday.wordpress.com
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