Wheel Dance was established in 2013 and is a non-profit organization that provides Wheelchair Ballroom and Latin dance classes to individuals with ambulatory disabilities along with able-bodied individuals. In addition, Wheel Dance is the organizing body for Wheelchair DanceSport Canada, which is classified as an International Paralympic Committee Championship Sport.
Currently Wheel Dance is made up of 18 wheelchair dancers, 25 volunteers and five instructors. Many organizations within the disabled community have shown interest in incorporating Wheel Dance in their programming, as there are many benefits to doing so. Louise Russo, an affiliate of both Gluckstein Personal Injury Lawyers and Wheel Dance explained;
"This activity promotes physical, social and psychological benefits plus it enables and supports the integration of disabled individuals into the community. Rehab professionals are supportive, involved and excited to be promoting it."
Photo courtesy of https://www.flickr.com/photos/aristgdpix/4372545430/
Everyone can dance!
Wheel Dance offers Ballroom and Latin Dance classes to individuals with ambulatory disabilities and their able-bodied partners. In the Wheel Dance website they outline their objectives as followed;
We enable and support:
1. The study and practice of social wheelchair dance for its physical, psychological, and social benefits.
2. The integration of disabled individuals into the general community.
3. The engagement and participation of physiotherapists and rehabilitation professionals in dance as a therapeutic activity.
4. The growth and recognition of competitive Wheelchair DanceSport in Canada.
Considering Toronto's disabled community is over 20% of the population (500,000+ individuals) the rapid increase in Wheel Dance's popularity it is not surprising.
On July 25, 2015 Wheel Dance proudly performed on the Pan Am Path. On August 15, 2015, by the invitation of Ballet Creole, Wheel Dance will join Ballet Creole in performing at Harbourfront Centre. This event is in celebration of the Parapan Am Games and organized by Ontario Tourism and Harbourfront Centre.
Gluckstein Personal Injury Lawyers are excited about Wheel Dance's rapid growth and hope that Canada will start recognizing Wheelchair DanceSport as a competitive activity.
LINKS
1. https://www.gluckstein.com/news-item/empower-our-youth-wave-event
REFERENCES
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