The Sport of Wheelchair Dancing
Grows in Popularity Worldwide

Wheelchair dancing is continuing to grow in popularity around the globe and is now recognized as an official international paralympic sport.

In more than 40 countries, people of all ages and physical abilities participate in dance activities with their manual or power mobility chairs. There are four ways in which to dance:

1. Combi-dance: Integrates an able-bodied individual with a disabled dancer and allows couples to participate in dances such as waltz, tango, Viennese waltz, slowfox, and quickstep, as well as Latin American dances, such as samba, cha-cha, rumba, paso doble, and jive.

2. Duo-dance: Features two wheelchair dancers gracing the dance fool together

3. Group-dance: Includes wheelchair users and able-bodied individuals dancing in synchronized formation, as well as participating with free-style movement to the music.

4. Single dance: Describes solo performances when a wheelchair user dances alone.

Wheelchair users have said they feel more inspired and confident from regular dance involvement.

In addition, some suggest that dancing has enabled them to require less physical therapy because of the exercise they get during practice and performances.

These rules outline the floor size, dance forms, music temp and duration, number of couples who may compete, and costumes.

Several rounds of competition are conducted based on the particular event and dance performances are evaluated by five to seven expert judges.

Here are two YouTube videos that show examples of dancing competitions:

Following are additional resources for more information on disabled dance programs and opportunities.

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