UK wheelchair adventurer champions all-terrain powerchair access in the US
Disabled Adventurer Nick Wilson has taken his campaign for greater outdoor accessibility to the United States, beginning with two speaking appearances at Abilities Expo Chicago before travelling to Pennsylvania to explore how all-terrain powerchairs can help open up the outdoors.
The UK wheelchair adventurer, accessibility advocate and founder of Disabled Adventurer described the trip as “the biggest accessibility challenge of my life” before leaving the UK.
Nick, a disabled veteran and wheelchair user, is undertaking a journey involving three flights, six vehicle transfers, two hotels and around 10 different venues. It also marks the first time he has flown as a wheelchair user.
Despite the scale of the challenge, Nick said the trip had made “an incredible start”, with his wheelchair surviving the flight and his first few days in Chicago bringing new conversations, experiences and examples of what improved access can look like.
Nick commented: “Thankfully my chair survived the flight out and I wasn’t totally broken by it either, but 12 hours of travel has taken a toll.
“I’m sure the full impact will be felt when I’m finally home, but for now I’m relishing every moment, experience and interaction.”
At Abilities Expo Chicago, Nick delivered two talks. The first, The Mountain Inside of Me, focused on his solo ascent of Mount Snowdon using the RockClimber all-terrain prototype powerchair, as well as the mental journey of adapting to life as a wheelchair user while living with a declining spinal condition.
His second talk, Adaptive Outdoor Adventure, explored the barriers that prevent disabled people from accessing the outdoors, the equipment and opportunities already available, and where Nick believes adaptive adventure could go with the right development, investment and support.
Nick said: “The outdoors is not just fresh air and pretty views. For a lot of us, it is identity. It is freedom. It is therapy with mud on it.”
Following the Chicago event, Nick is spending a week in Scranton, Pennsylvania, with Quantum Rehab US, a manufacturer of complex power wheelchairs.
His visit includes a tour of the company’s production site, discussions with the research and development team about all-terrain chairs and battery technology, and meetings with the corporate team.
Nick is also visiting Patriots Cove, an outdoor activity centre that provides all-terrain powerchairs to support disabled people and wounded veterans in accessing the outdoors and taking part in a wider range of activities.
Nick added: “I’ve found 33 National Parks across the US providing access to all-terrain powerchairs with joystick control, and that is what I’m trying to achieve through my work in the UK.”
The US trip forms part of Nick’s wider campaign to fund and donate all-terrain powerchairs to outdoor venues and charities, helping to create lasting access for disabled people and wounded veterans.
Through Disabled Adventurer, Nick aims to show how the right equipment, partnerships and investment can remove barriers to outdoor access and give more disabled people the opportunity to experience adventure, independence and freedom outdoors.
Disabled adventurer and accessibility advocate Nick Wilson has called on West Northamptonshire Council to urgently address inaccessible parking payment machines.
