The Ms. Wheelchair NC-America Program Is ...

A division of the Ms. Wheelchair America program, Ms. Wheelchair North Carolina-America is a disability advocacy program which seeks to select the most articulate and accomplished spokeswoman to represent persons with disabilities in the state of North Carolina and at the national level. Candidates are judged on their accomplishments since the onset of their disability, their involvement with their respective communities, their ability to relate to the media and the general public, self-perception and self-projection, poise and personal appearance. Ms. Wheelchair NC-America is a symbol of the dignity and productiveness of disabled persons. The selected candidate must communicate both the needs and the accomplishments of the disabled community to the general public, the business community and the government. Ms. Wheelchair North Carolina-America assumes responsibility for the ongoing effort to eliminate stereotypical and physical barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from assuming their rightful place in society.

The Ms. Wheelchair America Program ...

Organized in 1972 by a Columbus, Ohio physician Dr. Philip K. Wood as a forum for the promotion of the achievements, as well as the needs of, people with mobility impairments, Ms. Wheelchair America recognizes the accomplishments of women who utilize wheelchairs for mobility. The non-profit program which consists of the State Coordinators and State Titleholders has grown to include programs in more than 20 states and the District of Columbia. The state programs are staffed and coordinated by volunteers dedicated to increasing public awareness so that all citizens will be afforded the opportunities to lead productive and meaningful lives.

The mission of Ms. Wheelchair America is to provide an opportunity for women of achievement who happen to be wheelchair users to successfully educate and advocate for the more than 52 million Americans living with disabilities. Unlike traditional beauty pageants, Ms. Wheelchair America is not a contest to select the most attractive individual. It is instead a competition based on advocacy, achievement, communication and presentation to select the most accomplished and articulate spokeswoman for persons with disabilities. The selected representative must be able to communicate both the needs and the accomplishments of her constituency  to the general public, the business community and the legislature.

As Ms. Wheelchair America, the national titleholder has numerous duties. These include promoting awareness of the need to eliminate architectural and attitudinal barriers, informing the able-bodied public of the achievements of the millions of people with disabilities across the nation, and assisting with the establishment of programs in all 50 states by promoting Ms. Wheelchair America. During her year long reign, she will have the opportunity to travel, visiting advocacy groups, making public appearances and conducting radio, print ad TV interviews. e commitment and personal example of the titleholder serves to further the mission of Ms. Wheelchair America.

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