Can a Kid in a Wheelchair be an Athlete?

 

What should you know?

Children who have mobility challenges sometimes need to use assistive devices such as a wheelchair to move around. By being in a wheelchair they often are not able to participate in typical activities that other children do without some accommodations such as ramps, elevators, etc. Because of a lack of participation, children in wheelchairs may be isolated from other children. Let’s learn more…

Follow the 8 steps below for your Web Quest.

Step 1: See what you think about kids who use a wheelchair. Take the Fact Checkup!

Step 2: Think about some questions to ask. Let’s see…

Step 3: Check out some quick facts.

Step 4: Check out some great websites to help you learn more.

Step 5: Find out about people you can read about to help with your Quest.

Step 6: Learn about movies and books that can give you information.

Step 7: Check out your school and neighborhood.

Step 8: Now see if your attitudes have changed. Take the Fact Checkup again.

Let’s see…

If a kid is in a wheelchair, does that mean that he or she has poor health? Can athletes with disabilities be as good as athletes without disabilities? Can kids who are in wheelchairs be athletes if they can’t get into the gym or pool or track?

Some things to think about….

What are some sports that athletes with disabilities can participate in?

How fast can athletes with disabilities go in a race?

What are the Paralympics?

What are some environmental barriers that prevent kids with disabilities from being athletes?

Can you think of more questions to help you in your Quest? 
Click here to write them down so you’ll remember them as you move through this QUEST.

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Quick Facts

Here are some facts that may help you answer some of your Web Quest questions. Remember, these facts will only give you basic information.

• Athletes use specialized wheelchairs that allow them to reach speeds of up to 20 miles per hour. (FindSportsNow)
• The average basketball wheelchair will cost around $1500 and has a 5th wheel at the back to prevent the wheelchair from flipping backwards during play.
• Paralympics is the same as the Olympics except that all of the participants have some sort of disability. The Paralympic Games have always been held in the same year as the Olympic Games and occur every 4 years.

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World-Wide Web Search

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People

Read about people with mobility disabilities. Learn how they have become athletes. These stories are part of the US Paralympic Team and came from their website.

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Movies and Books

Here is a video about a kid in a wheelchair that created a new sport. Ask your parents or teachers if you can watch this video.

Aaron Fotheringham… His Story

Aaron is a kid who learned to use his wheelchair like a skate board. He learned to do a back flip high in the air. Watch this video on YouTube.

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My School and Neighborhood

Look around your school and neighborhood to see how many barriers need to be changed to help kids in wheelchairs to have the same opportunities to be athletes as kids without disabilities.

1. Do you have to go up steps to enter your school or community buildings? If so, look to see if there are ramps for people in wheelchairs to get in.

2. Does your school have more than one floor? If it does, is there an elevator for kids in wheelchairs to get to the second floor?

3. Are the doors in your school large enough for a wheelchair to get in? Most doors need to be at least 36 inches wide. Measure your doors to see if they are 36 inches.

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