International Wheelchair Day – Independence is not one-size-fits-all

On Sunday 1st March 2026, we mark International Wheelchair Day, an annual global event recognising the freedom and independence wheelchairs provide, while raising awareness of the ongoing need for meaningful accessibility.

First established in 2008, the day celebrates the positive impact of appropriate wheelchair provision. It also reminds us that accessibility is not static. It evolves with lived experience, design thinking and genuine dialogue.

At AJM Choice, we believe this conversation is best led by those who live it every day. This year, we spoke with Kerry Thompson, AJM’s Lived Experience Champion, about what accessibility really means in practice.

“One size doesn’t fit all.”

When asked what she wishes more people understood about accessibility, Kerry’s answer was immediate: “One size doesn’t fit all. My accessibility needs are probably very different to somebody else’s.”

Accessibility is often treated as a universal solution, for example a ramp here, a wider doorway there. But wheelchair users are not a single group with identical requirements. Chair type, turning space, power versus manual propulsion, strength, terrain, postural needs and environment all influence what “accessible” truly means. An environment can meet regulations and still fail real-world usability. Appropriate accessibility begins with recognising difference. 

When “accessible” isn’t accessible

Many venues genuinely want to be inclusive. Yet everyday barriers still appear.

Sometimes it is something as simple as a single unexpected step at an entrance that was described as step-free. Other times it is the absence of dropped kerbs, meaning someone may travel a considerable distance along a pavement before finding a safe crossing point.

These details matter. They change routes, shorten visits and reduce spontaneity.

Accessibility is rarely about one dramatic failure. More often, it is the accumulation of small oversights.

The impact of getting it right

When a space or service is designed well, the difference is immediate. Kerry describes the impact in one word: independence.

Independence is not simply physical movement. It is the ability to participate without hesitation. It is being able to decide, in the moment, to meet friends, visit a park or book a restaurant without first conducting a mental audit of barriers. 

Inclusive design restores something that many people take for granted and that is spontaneity. It also has a ripple effect. When accessibility works, confidence increases, not only for the wheelchair user, but for those around them. Plans become simpler and social experiences become equal.

“Conversations about us should be with us.”

If there is one shift Kerry would like to see in public spaces and workplaces, it is this: more dialogue. Kerry said: “If you’re going to make somewhere accessible, you need to have conversations with us about us.”

Accessibility is not best designed in isolation. It improves when organisations consult wheelchair users directly, engage advisory groups, or simply ask practical questions before decisions are made. The solutions are often straightforward. What is missing is not capability, but conversation.

Hearing from clinicians matters, but hearing from lived experience matters just as much.

Confidence in imperfect environments

While accessibility in the UK has improved significantly, it is not consistent. Not every venue will meet every need. Kerry acknowledges this reality with resilience. When environments are imperfect, she focuses on the people she is with rather than the barriers themselves. Enjoying time with family and friends can soften the frustration.

But resilience should not be mistaken for acceptance.

The aim of International Wheelchair Day is not to celebrate coping. It is to reduce the need for it.

The importance of the #AppropriateWheelchair

Globally, 2026 campaigns continue to highlight the concept of the #AppropriateWheelchair. Equipment that matches an individual’s clinical, environmental and lifestyle needs.

An appropriate wheelchair is not simply functional. It supports posture, enables independence across real-world terrain and is configured for long-term wellbeing. When provision is right, participation increases. When it is wrong, barriers multiply.

At AJM Choice, our role is to support that decision-making process. We guide individuals and families through specification, suitability and long-term considerations, ensuring equipment is not only clinically appropriate but practically workable. Because accessibility does not end at the door of a building. It begins with appropriate mobility support.

Moving the conversation forward

International Wheelchair Day is a moment to celebrate independence. It is also a reminder that accessibility is ongoing work. Progress looks like better consultation. It looks like thoughtful design. It looks like professionals advocating with confidence and lived experience being heard as expertise. Most importantly, it looks like independence that does not rely on extraordinary effort.

This International Wheelchair Day, we celebrate the freedom wheelchairs provide — and we recommit to listening, learning and improving the environments around them. If you would like to speak with our team about appropriate wheelchair provision or accessibility considerations, we welcome the conversation.