Donation of All-terrain Wheelchair to the ACT

The National Parks Association of the ACT (NPA ACT) is a community organisation of volunteers that works (amongst other things) to ensure sustainable levels of access to land that has been reserved for conservation purposes in the ACT.

Through its engagement with other groups in the community, NPA ACT is very aware of the difficulties faced by people with mobility impairments in accessing and enjoying the richness of the ACT's natural environment. To address this issue, NPA ACT is donating an all-terrain wheelchair to the ACT community. 

A formal function to hand over the wheelchair will be held during this year’s “Tidbinbilla Extravaganza”.  As President of the NPA ACT, I would be honoured if a representative or representatives of your organisation could attend this event.

The ceremony is scheduled for 11:30 on Sunday 14 April 2013 at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. The Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Mr Shane Rattenbury, will be accepting the donation on behalf of the ACT.

It is hoped that the donation of the all-terrain wheelchair will play an important role in expanding access options for mobility impaired people in the ACT community.

The wheelchair is a Canadian product and appears to be very popular in that country.  The Parks Service in Victoria already has a number of these wheelchairs in operation in its reserves and this will be the first publicly available wheelchair of this kind outside of that state.  The ACT Parks and Conservation Service will manage public access to the wheelchair through its visitor centre at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.

I have attached two photos of the wheelchair as it is difficult to explain its operation without a visual guide.  It is a single wheeled wheelchair that requires a minimum of two people to provide the locomotive power as it is not a self-propelled wheelchair. Having only one wheel does make the wheelchair quite manoeuvrable, and helps its progress over terrain that would otherwise be extremely difficult for a conventional wheelchair. It is a well designed and sturdy product which is relatively easy to use and transport.  The following blog, established by the person who first brought a Trailblazer wheelchair into Australia, gives a good idea of just what can be done with the wheelchair. http://trailridertales.blogspot.com.au/p/introducing-trailrider.html

The NPA ACT is very excited to be making this donation and would be grateful for any assistance that your organisation can provide in distributing information about the donation event and the availability of the wheelchair throughout your networks.  All are welcome to attend.

If you are able to attend the donation ceremony, please introduce yourself to me. Alternatively I can be contacted on 0410 875 731 if you would like to know more about the wheelchair, or the event.

Rod Griffiths

President 

NPA ACT