Steve Wilkinson
Where it all started
International Wheelchair Day was founded on March 1, 2008, by Steve Wilkinson, a passionate advocate for wheelchair users who lived with spina bifida. Steve’s vision was to create a global movement that celebrated the positive impact of wheelchairs, recognised the efforts of those who provide and support mobility solutions and raised awareness about the millions of people still in need of a wheelchair. Though Steve passed away in 2024, his legacy lives on. The International Society of Wheelchair Professionals (ISWP) is committed to honoring his advocacy and continuing to promote International Wheelchair Day, ensuring that accessibility, inclusion, and mobility remain a global priority.
Will you join the movement with us?
2025 International Wheelchair Day Events
Community Based seating and repair clinics
Organisation: Shonaquip
Location: South Africa
Contact: kim@henshilwooddesign.com & Shona@ShonaquipSE.org.za
Learning session on the WHO guidelines and more
Surf Therapy & International Wheelchair Day
Organisation: Roxy Davis Foundation
Location: Surfer’s Corner Muizenberg
Date: 1/03/2025
This event brings together volunteers and participants to create a powerful day of inclusion, connection, and surf therapy—where the ocean becomes a space of freedom and joy for all.
Celebrate Inclusion, Mobility & Innovation
Organisation: Kyaninga Mobility
Location: Kyaninga Lodge, Fort Portal
Date: 1/03/2025
Join us for International Wheelchair Day 2025! Celebrate mobility, resilience, and inclusion with wheelchair users, advocates, and athletes. Promote accessibility, challenge perceptions, and enjoy a day of fun!
Celebrate International Wheelchair Day with Free Entry at Merlin Attractions
Organisation: Merlin Entertainments
Date: 1/03/2025
Merlin Entertainments is offering free entry to mobility device users and their carers at all Australian and New Zealand attractions from March 1st to 3rd, 2025, in celebration of International Wheelchair Day.
The ISWP Mentorship Programme connects wheelchair professionals across countries, continents, and time zones. 🌍
In this group, mentors from the United States, Australia, New Zealand, India, and Canada are sharing their expertise with mentees around the world, helping strengthen wheelchair service provision through practical knowledge, guidance, and support.
As part of this exclusive ISWP member benefit, mentors commit one hour per month over six months to support their mentees remotely.
Swipe through to meet this group of mentors.
Know someone who could benefit from mentoring support? Contact us at info@iswp.org.
#AppropriateWheelchairProvision #Mentorship #AssistiveTechnology #ISWP #ProfessionalDevelopment
Thank you to everyone who joined our AGM this week.
Alongside organisational updates, we had valuable discussions about how we can continue advancing appropriate wheelchair provision around the world. We are grateful to all those who contributed their insights, experiences, and ideas to these meaningful conversations.
We were also honoured to welcome guest speaker, Dr. Karen Rees, who shared a thought-provoking presentation on building sustainable wheelchair ecosystems and the importance of integrated systems that work together to improve outcomes for wheelchair users.
We`re sharing some of the key insights from her presentation here.
If you attended, we`d love to hear your reflections and key takeaways. Let`s keep the conversation going as we work together to strengthen wheelchair provision globally.
#ISWP #WheelchairProvision
Last week, our Executive Director, Alex Kamadu, had the honour of joining the inABLE Inclusive Africa Conference in Nairobi.
As the saying goes, "Necessity is the mother of invention," across Africa, innovators are showing that the most impactful solutions emerge when people who understand the challenges firsthand work alongside persons with disabilities.
The conference showcased inspiring assistive technology innovations advancing accessibility, inclusion, and independence across the continent. One thing was clear: the future of assistive technology in Africa is already here.
Alex also joined a panel discussion on accessible transportation and inclusive mobility, where several key reflections emerged. Some key insights:
🔹 Digital accessibility is increasingly recognised as an economic and development priority, not just a disability issue.
🔹 Africa is creating homegrown inclusive technology solutions tailored to local languages, contexts, and needs.
🔹 The conversation is shifting from policy commitments to measurable implementation and accountability.
🔹 Strong partnerships between government, private sector, academia, and disability advocates are essential for meaningful impact.
🔹 Digital skills, inclusive education, and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities remain critical priorities in the AI era.
🔹 Inclusive innovation is no longer optional, it`s fundamental to Africa`s digital future.
#IAC2026 @alexkamadu @shonaquip_social_enterprise @inableorg @inclusiveafricaorg
Next week, our Executive Director Alex Kamadu will join representatives from across Africa at the WHO-UNICEF African Regional Workshop on Assistive Technology in Nairobi, Kenya.
Bringing together stakeholders from 14 countries, the workshop will provide an important opportunity to discuss priorities, challenges, and opportunities for strengthening access to assistive technology across the region. As the need for assistive technology continues to grow, collaboration between governments, users, service providers, civil society organisations and global partners is essential to building sustainable systems that ensure people can access the products and services they need.
We look forward to contributing to these important discussions and sharing key insights from the workshop in the coming days.
@alexkamadu #appropriatewheelchairprovision #ISWP
Today, 2.5 billion people need at least one form of assistive product, including wheelchairs, eyeglasses, hearing aids, prosthetics and digital devices.
Yet only 10% of people in low-income countries currently have access to the assistive technology they need.
To mark World Day for Assistive Technology, we are shining a light on this global inequity and the urgent need to improve access to affordable, appropriate assistive technology.
Assistive technology enables independence, supporting people to study, work, move, communicate, and take part in everyday life that many of us often take for granted.
We, at ISWP are joining the global community in calling for action to unlock access for all.
🌍 Let’s build a world where opportunity is not limited by access.
#ISWP #WorldATDay #UnlockTheEveryday @atscale_partnership
Meet the Mentor: Marie Abou Saab (also known as Mimi)
Based in Lebanon and across the MENA region, Mimi brings 35 years of experience in wheelchair service provision and a deep commitment to strengthening global capacity in the field.
Mimi became an ISWP mentor to share her experience and help empower clinicians to provide safe, appropriate, and person-centred wheelchair services. She is also passionate about learning from others, supporting sustainable wheelchair services, and improving mobility and quality of life for wheelchair users.
The ISWP Mentorship Programme, a paid member benefit, is designed to connect wheelchair professionals through collaboration, guidance and shared learning.
If you’re interested in becoming a mentor, mentee or an ISWP member, please get in touch: https://iswp.org/contact-us/
#WheelchairServiceProvision #Mentorship #AssistiveTechnology #Rehabilitation #ISWP
Behind every strong wheelchair service system are people willing to share their knowledge, experience and time to support others.
We’re proud to introduce the mentors of the ISWP Mentorship Programme, a paid member benefit, designed to connect wheelchair professionals through collaboration, guidance and shared learning.
Our mentors bring experience from diverse settings across the world, including clinical practice, education, research, humanitarian contexts and community-based service delivery. Together, they are helping build confidence, capacity, and connection across the sector.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll be introducing each mentor and the unique perspectives they bring to the programme.
#WheelchairServiceProvision #AppropriateWheelchairProvision #ISWP
We announced the launch of the ISWP Mentorship Programme last year, and it has since grown into a powerful space for connection, learning, and shared practice across the global wheelchair service community.
ISWP’s Sarah Sheldon has been working closely with mentors and mentees, thoughtfully pairing participants to ensure meaningful relationships, relevant experience exchange, and real support where it’s needed most. We’re excited by what is already emerging, and even more by what’s still to come.
At its heart, the programme is about skill-sharing and community, creating space for wheelchair professionals to learn from one another, build confidence, and share practical knowledge across countries and contexts.
🎥 Watch Sarah share more about the programme in the video below.
If you’re an ISWP paid member and interested in becoming a mentor or mentee, we would love to hear from you: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=3-3Ig3U0JUCHg_NPbQuTPU519b4wOxxMvM5mAiuvVnVUQVk2VVA5NFhSVVRZTkJQNUJFOFZDSktOQy4u
Together, we strengthen practice, build confidence, and improve access to appropriate wheelchair provision worldwide.
#ISWP #AppropriateWheelchairProvision
