Published on April 09, 2024
The City of Merriam received a gift to help those who use a wheelchair and want to swim at the Merriam Community Center.
The University of Kansas Department of Occupational Therapy Education offers swimming and water safety classes at the Merriam Community Center for children and adults who are on the autism spectrum.
The University of Kansas received a grant and, due to the community partnership, asked what accessible product the Merriam Community Center could use to help its patrons.
Community center staff asked for an aqua wheelchair. The waterproof wheelchair helps people enter and exit the pool if they can’t use a chairlift or need to stay in a wheelchair while in the water.
“We’re so excited they donated this ADA-approved wheelchair,” Aquatics Supervisor Cole Surber said. “It’ll help so many people with disabilities enter and exit the pool safely.”
Surber said the wheelchair is also great for use in locker rooms, showers, and other areas in the indoor and outdoor aquatic facility.
The aqua wheelchair retails between $1,200-$2,000.