Creating Community Connections
Making Connections: How to Get Involved in Your Community
Getting out and making new connections can be challenging for anyone, but it can be particularly daunting when you’re navigating the world in a wheelchair. Finding local events and groups that share your interests and that are accessible can be difficult - but we’ve got you covered! We are sharing our tips and resources to help you find new ways that you can make connections.
Attend Conferences and Expos
Events like conferences and expos are fantastic ways to make new connections. Whether you go to meet other attendees and form new friendships, connect with vendors and experts to learn about the latest innovations, or just want to discover new resources - conferences are an incredible way to learn more about the wheelchair community!
We love it when we get to attend expos and meet members of the community. While we didn’t have a booth this year, we did have a chance to attend the Abilities Expo in Chicago this June as an attendee. If you are looking for a conference to attend we highly recommend the Abilities Expo - we have had a blast there in past years. Missed the Abilities Expo in Chicago? Don’t worry! The Abilities Expo has shows all across the country.
If you have a conference or expo that you are attending and think that we would be a great vendor for, let us know! We’re always eager to discover new events and find more ways to connect and learn from the community.
Join Local Disability Support Groups
Local disability support & advocacy groups are another excellent resource for making connections. Dedicated to those with disabilities, you know that everyone involved will either be a member of the community or be an advocate for increasing accessibility.
These organizations bring everyone together with the mission of creating a more accessible community. By getting involved, you’ll not only be able to make new connections through the organization itself but through advocating and creating change, can create even more opportunities for new connections throughout all sorts of spaces in your area.
These groups not only facilitate connections with others who have similar experiences but also offer valuable resources. These groups can point you in the direction of accessible events or organizations that you might be interested in, can provide you with information on financial programs that might benefit you, and can keep you informed about updates in your community related to accessibility.
These groups also host, organize, and partner with others to put on accessible activities and events. These events are great for only for making new friends but also for learning new skills. By coming out, you’ll not only be making friends, but you’ll be directing supporting the group and showing that there is not only a want but a need for such events. Plus, when they partner with other local organizations and businesses for such events, you can discover even more organizations involved or supportive of the wheelchair community in your area.
Participate in Local Educational Workshops
Community workshops and classes are wonderful places to learn new skills and meet people. Organizations like the YMCA, the YWCA, and your local library often offer accessible educational workshops and activities. Whether it’s a cooking class, an art workshop, or a tech seminar, these events can be both fun and educational, offering a relaxed environment to meet new people and learn new skills.
These workshops are an incredible way to pick up new hobbies and get involved in new communities based around that hobby. Whether it's board gaming, crafts, music, art, or something else, there are likely groups and communities in your area dedicated to these hobbies. By attending local workshops, you can find new hobbies that you love and quickly get involved with a new group.
Engaging with community-based organizations like the YMCA/YWCA can help you become more involved in your local community, enhancing your sense of belonging. It can be easy to see yourself as separate from your local community if accessibility often keeps you from attending events, but by becoming more involved, you can not only become an advocating voice for your own accessibility in the community but for others as well.
Utilize Online Resources and Forums
The internet is a powerful tool for making connections. Online forums like Reddit and Facebook groups can help you find and connect with other wheelchair users in your local community. Wheelchair-specific groups offer a space to share experiences and advice, while city-specific ones can help you find accessible events and venues in your area.
Platforms like Meetup are also great for finding local events tailored to your interests. You can search by area and interest to find the perfect group for you. If you can’t find one, you can always create and host your own event through Meetup and other users will be able to see it and RSVP.
If you are looking for an online experience more tailored to the disability community, then you’ll want to check out MyHealthTeams. MyHealthTeams is a social media platform focused on building communities for those with chronic conditions, providing a space to share tips and support each other.
Online resources and forums allow you to connect with a global community that understands your experiences, providing much-needed support and solidarity. Sharing practical tips and solutions for everyday challenges can help you manage your daily life more effectively. These platforms are also excellent for discovering local and virtual events tailored to accessibility, ensuring you never miss out on opportunities to socialize and learn.
Get Involved in Adaptive Sports
Adaptive sports are specifically designed to be accessible, making them an excellent way to stay active and meet new people. Whether it’s wheelchair basketball, adaptive swimming, or another sport, these activities offer a sense of community and camaraderie.
Adaptive sports are an incredible way to make new friends, keep active, and stay entertained. Adaptive sports modify sports making them more accessible and perfect for wheelchair users looking for something to do.
There are over 70 different sports to choose from, meaning no matter what your pace is, there’s something for everyone! Whether it’s wheelchair basketball, fencing, golf, or archery - there’s an incredible variety each with changes made to make it fit your needs. Click here to see a full list of sports, to learn more about them and their modifications, and to see what options are available near you.
When you play an adaptive sport - especially a team sport such as sitting Volleyball - you’ll also be getting to know others who are looking for inclusive accessible activities. Not only will you get the chance to make friends, but you’ll be able to share information and resources to discover new accessible activities.
Adaptive sports are an incredible way to keep yourself fit and to find new friends. Find a league near you and get involved! If you are interested in learning even more about adaptive sports, check out our blog on all the benefits of them.
Let's Build New Connections
It can be hard to make new friends, but by getting involved in your local community, you’ll find that there are lots of groups looking to make accessible ways to connect. Whether it is an event, a support group, or an adaptive sport, there are lots of different ways that you can build up your network of friends and supporters.
At FLUX Wheelchairs, we’re committed to helping you lead an independent and fulfilling life. Explore our range of Daily Living Wheelchairs, designed to enhance your mobility and comfort. Check out our collection to find the perfect chair that fits your lifestyle and helps you stay connected with the world around you.