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.
Earlier this month, a powerful collaboration between Medical Ministry International Peru, Eleanore’s Project Peru, and ISWP brought together clinicians from across Peru for training and certification.
👩⚕️ 20 clinicians completed Basic Training & Certification and Intermediate Training and will now go on to complete their ISWP Intermediate Certifications.
👏 Congratulations to Sandra Orihuela and Elizabeth Balboa, who trained alongside experienced trainers Silvana Contepomi and
Tamara Kittelson to achieve their trainer status, a key step in building local capacity.
As part of the training, 10 individuals received appropriate wheelchairs, directly improving mobility and quality of life.
This collaboration is another strong example of systems strengthening in the wheelchair sector, supporting a sustainable workforce and improving access to trained clinicians in Peru.
📸 Take a look at some of the highlights from this impactful initiative.
#ISWP #WheelchairProvision #AssistiveTechnology #Rehabilitation #CapacityBuilding #GlobalHealth #DisabilityInclusion
We’re so excited to share this highlights video from #InternationalWheelchairDay 2026! 🌍♿
Stories, events, and celebrations were shared from across the world. We were proud to see incredible participation from organisations such as:
ParaQuad Tasmania in Australia
Inova Mount Vernon Hospital
SESOBEL in Lebanon
Roxy Davis Foundation and Shonaquip Social Enterprise in South Africa
Mobility India
Motivation India
Kyaninga Child Development Centre in Uganda
Jomo Kenyatta University in Kenya
ISWP Director Alex Kamadu also facilitated a collaboration with the Roxy Davis Foundation, ISWP and Shonaquip Social Enterprise for an adaptive Surf Therapy session in Muizenberg, Cape Town, bringing the spirit of inclusion to the ocean.
✨ ISWP received over 35 incredible wheelchair impact stories, reflecting a truly global movement.
Thank you to everyone who took part, shared their stories and helped amplify the message: access to appropriate wheelchairs changes lives.
#InternationalWheelchairDay2026 #Unstoppable #WheelchairProvision #AssistiveTechnology #GlobalHealth #DisabilityInclusion
We’re proud to announce a new partnership with Motivation Africa through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). 🤝
Motivation Africa works to promote disability rights and ensure that disabled people have access to the wheelchairs, services, and training they are entitled to, because access to assistive technology is a right, not a privilege.
Assistive technologies such as appropriate wheelchairs are essential for healthy, independent and dignified lives.
Together, we share a vision of a world where every country ensures access to appropriate assistive technology and builds inclusive societies where all people have respect, autonomy and equitable opportunities.
This partnership marks another important step forward as we work together to strengthen systems, expand access and deliver impact that reaches individuals, families, and communities in Africa.
#ISWP #MotivationAfrica #AssistiveTechnology #DisabilityInclusion #GlobalHealth #WheelchairProvision @wearemotivationafrica
On this World Health Day, ISWP recognises that health is not just about treatment, it’s also about access, mobility and inclusion.
For millions of people around the world, access to an appropriate wheelchair is essential to maintaining health, preventing secondary complications and participating fully in daily life. Without it, individuals face increased risks to their physical and mental wellbeing, from pressure injuries to social isolation.
We are committed to strengthening wheelchair service provision globally by supporting trained professionals, advocating for appropriate products and building systems that ensure no one is left behind.
Because health for all means mobility for all.
#WorldHealthDay #ISWP #GlobalHealth #AssistiveTechnology #WheelchairProvision #HealthForAll #DisabilityInclusion
Having the ISWP Basic Certification Exam available in Spanish is an important step toward making certification more accessible to wheelchair service providers around the world, supporting greater inclusion, equity and capacity building across diverse regions. 🌍
By expanding language access, we’re helping more professionals gain the knowledge and recognition needed to deliver quality wheelchair service provision.
Together, we continue working toward a future where everyone has access to an appropriate wheelchair, no matter where they are.
#ISWP #WheelchairProvision #AssistiveTechnology #Rehabilitation #GlobalHealth #DisabilityInclusion #CapacityBuilding
We’re excited to share that the ISWP Basic Certification is now valid for 3 years. 🎉
Once you complete the ISWP Basic Certification Exam, your certification will remain valid for three years, increasing the time before your certificate expires.
This update supports continued professional development while making it easier for wheelchair service providers to stay certified and focused on delivering quality care.
#ISWP #AppropriateWheelchairProvision
We’re excited to share this video from the #InternationalWheelchairDay celebrations at Muizenberg Beach in Cape Town, South Africa 🌊♿
Together with the Roxy Davis Foundation and Shonaquip Social Enterprise, the day brought people together through Surf Therapy, mobility activities, and water immersion, creating a powerful, inclusive experience for all involved.
Surf Therapy clinics are designed for anyone with a permanent or temporary disability, opening up access to the ocean and its many therapeutic benefits.
Wheelchair repair services were also available, supporting access, comfort and participation throughout the day.
A meaningful way to celebrate the #Unstoppable movement and a reminder that inclusion should exist in every space, for every ability.
https://iswp.org/international-wheelchair-day/
#InternationalWheelchairDay2026
We’re excited to share that ISWP`s Basic Certification Exam has now been updated in Spanish!
Those wanting to achieve their ISWP Basic Certification can now do so in Spanish.
To compete your Certification simply enrol in our Spanish Basic Certification via your member account. Complete the Spanish Exam and pay to receive your 3 year Basic Certification!
[Spanish]
El Examen de Certificación Básica de ISWP ya está actualizado en español!
Mediante una traducción exhaustiva, ISWP ha actualizado el Examen de Certificación Básica para que coincida con la versión en inglés.
Quienes deseen obtener su Certificación Básica de ISWP ahora pueden hacerlo en español.
Para obtener su certificación, inscríbase en nuestra Certificación Básica en Español a través de su cuenta de miembro.
¡Complete el Examen de Español y pague para recibir su Certificación Básica por 3 años!
