Working With:
Colm Whooley
Associate Instructor Level 3
Founder and Head Instructor Wheelchair Jeet Kune Do
Support for Instructors
The first thing I want to say to you as instructor, is that real effective self-defence for people with a disability is practical and does work.
I realise as an instructor you are very comfortable teaching and explaining the amazing benefits of Martial ARTS, but may be slightly unsure how to teach and engage with a person with a disability.
So what I want to do here, is remove some of the misperceptions that surround the term disabled and reassure you the instructors that there is no great mystery in instructing a person with a disability. Firstly there is no real mystery about how to interact with a person with a disability. The key point is to see the person first and then their disability.
Your attitude can make a big difference. One of the most difficult barriers that those of us with a disability face is the attitudes and perceptions of other people that are usually based on ignorance and fear.
Most of the time, they are just misconceptions, which result in thoughtless comments by otherwise, well-meaning people. In either case, they form an obstacle to acceptance and full participation in society for people with disabilities.
With that in mind, here are some general tips on relating to people who have a disability and use a wheelchair.
Don’t assume as a person with a disability I need your help. Ask first.
Talk directly to me the person with the disability, and not my friend or family member who may have accompanied me to your centre.
Don’t lean on my wheelchair, it’s my personal space.
Do not push my wheelchair unless I ask.
Look beyond my wheelchair and see me the person
Honestly I could have written endless points on what not to do. But it’s really just down to common sense. And if you have a question on a person’s disability and how it may impact on them doing your program. “Just ask”.
Ask me: The purpose of this website is to support wheelchair users who want to learn real and practical self-defence that will work, but equally I want this website to be a resource for instructors. So if you have any questions please contact me.