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ClimateNE & Climate Change Schools Project support the move to a low-carbon, resilient economy and help businesses avoid risk and realise commercial opportunities. Posts by Jen Atkinson, Krista McKinzey and Harriet Thew » YouâÂÂre probably aware that today, 1st March, is St DavidâÂÂs Day. But did you know that it is also International Wheelchair Day?
Well, it isnâÂÂt officially. IâÂÂve just decided to hold International Wheelchair Day on 1st March as there doesnâÂÂt appear to be such a thing.
I donâÂÂt suppose it will be marked much this year, but in my capacity as Managing Director of my not-for-profit business, The WheelchairSteve Organisation (www.wheelchairsteve.com), by this time next year, if I can get more people involved, then there may be a lot more to celebrate.
For this year, I would like you to consider what a wheelchair is and how it impacts on your life, particularly if you are in business.
ItâÂÂs actually quite a simple transportation device comprising of a chair with four wheels, one roughly in each corner.
Reputedly, there are over 130 million people in the World who need a wheelchair to be mobile. There are certainly nowhere near that many in existence, although a number of initiatives are in place to raise money to provide more. IâÂÂm looking to find ways as to how I can help.
To date, wheelchairs are primarily associated with disabled people. A little stick guy (it might be a girl!) sitting on half a circle has become well established as the international symbol of disability. ThatâÂÂs quite strange, really, as itâÂÂs reckoned that as few as 5% of all disabled people use a wheelchair!
So, what impact does a wheelchair have on your life?
If you are in business, I would maintain that wheelchairs have a positive or negative impact on almost every business, whether it relates to the employees, customers or a combination of both.
Whether your business is involved with transport or based in a building, which covers just about every business, I believe that if you can accept wheelchair users into your workforce or as customers, then it will have a positive impact.
So take a step back, look at what you do and decide for yourself whether you could be more accommodating to wheelchairs and their users. You may recognise that there are benefits to be had.
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