International Wheelchair Day
What is International Wheelchair Day?
International Wheelchair Day celebrates the positive impact wheelchairs have had on the lives of wheelchair users. The day also aims to thank the people who make wheelchairs accessible and highlight the millions of people who need a wheelchair but are unable to access one.
International Wheelchair Day is always on the 1st of March and was first celebrated in 2008. Since then, countries including Australia, Nepal, Senegal, South Africa, Bangladesh, Pakistan, United Kingdom, and United States of America have taken part.
International Wheelchair Day and Employment and Celebrations
Across the world institutions, organisations, employees, and individuals hold a day of events and activities focussed on the positive impact of wheelchairs.
Employees who use wheelchairs need obstacle free access to their workspace and emergency exits. Employers and organisations can make changes to improve access to employees and customers and use this day to celebrate positivity surrounding wheelchair use.
- Start your journey to becoming a Disability Confident Employer
- Ensure policies and procedures are inclusive
- Adopt an inclusive recruitment approach, to accommodate individual’s needs and remove barriers for wheelchair users
- Train all employees on Disability, the Equality Act 2010, legal requirements, and unconscious bias.
- Carry out Workplace Risk Assessments
- Make the workplace physically accessible with designated parking, accessible doorways and entrances, ramps, and lifts, disabled bathrooms etc.
- Support employees by providing reasonable adjustments, consulting with employees on their needs to make sure suitable solutions are provided.
- Access to Work assessments provide support such as taxis over public transport, support workers, interpreters and more.
- Best practice employers have been known to provide reasonable adjustments for all, to normalise the need for extra support and create truly inclusive workplaces.
