People with disabilities do not enjoy the same opportunities to participate in sport and physical activity as people without disabilities. The reasons for this are many and varied. Society does not deal very well with diversity and difference and there are still many attitudinal and structural barriers that people with disabilities face on a day to day basis.

But society is changing and events like the Paralympic Games are gradually shaping positive attitudes towards the full and active participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of society. Sport and physical activity are excellent vehicles for change. Teachers, coaches and community leaders are becoming more flexible and accepting of individual difference and people with disabilities are becoming more involved in community activities.

Wheelchair Sports WA’s Wheel Sport Program is a program allowing schools and other groups throughout WA to understand what it is like to be disabled and what its like to be a Paralympic Athlete. The program also offers students the chance to ask those burning questions many want to ask about living with a disability, including what it's like to play sport in a wheelchair or any other queries they may have.

The presenters involved offer an intriguing insight into the world of wheelchair sport and living with a disability, and their passion for sport makes for a lasting impact on everyone involved.  The program gives students the opportunity to play a game of Wheelchair Basketball or Wheelchair Rugby.  The wheelchairs used are all supplied by Wheelchair Sports WA.

The program can be structured to suit the individual needs of your school or group.  We can run a one off session conducted by one of our experienced instructors or a multi-week program teaching students basic wheelchair basketball or wheelchair rugby skills, moving through to more advanced tactical skills, finishing with quality games over a number of structured sessions.

You have the option of having the program hosted at Wheelchair Sports WA Headquarters - 6/443 Scarborough Beach Road Osborne Park. The venue has a competition ready basketball court and a full supply of chairs ready for schools to come and use.  Alternatively we can come to you, where we provide all equipment, the only requirement being a wood floored basketball court.

The facilitators are all experienced Wheelchair basketball athletes, many of whom are part of the Perth Wheelcats - WA’s Wheelchair Basketball Team and members of the National Wheelchair Rugby Team.

Looking for something different for your child’s next birthday party?  Why not try our wheelchair basketball or rugby program for an afternoon’s entertainment.  You wont be able to wipe the smiles from the children’s faces!

Wheel Talk Program

How does disability affect everyday life?  What are the levels and classes of disability?  What are the barriers to integration for people with disabilities?  What are the skills needed to live with a disability in today’s world?  These and many more questions are answered in our Wheel Talk disability awareness program.

Our skilled presenters have taken the challenge of living with a disability head on.  They convey the details of how they acquired their disability, their experiences, challenges and achievements in a frank, educational and motivating presentation.

The presenters are Australian and Paralympic representatives and compete in  various disabled sports.  They show that disability is no barrier to greatness and that elite athletes with a disability are required to train just as hard as able bodied athletes.  The athletes display their equipment to students,  and gives them the opportunity to try the equipment and ask questions regarding the equipment, sport and disabled life in general.

The Wheel Talk presentations often leave students in awe and amazement at the experiences and  achievements of the presenters and change the way attendees perceive people with disabilities.  The presentations break down the stereotypes that are passed down through the generations and educate attendees so that they gain a better understanding of disability and the issues surrounding disability.

Our talks are extremely popular and provide an educational  insight that is extremely rare and valuable.  This program fills quickly so to avoid disappointment book in advance.  The talks are also available to corporate groups that can be used as a fantastic motivational tool for employees to boost enthusiasm and productivity.

For program information and bookings contact Grant Boxall, Sport Development Officer, between 8am and 4pm Monday- Friday on 9443 4833,  grant@wheelchairsportswa.org.au  or alternatively complete the attached expression of interest form and Grant will make contact with you directly.