Wheelchair dancing has been practised for over 27 years in different parts of the world, but it started to feature on the Malta scene in 1999. Later, the Malta Wheelchair Dancesport Association was set up in 2001 with the aim of teaching people in wheelchairs to dance in a similar format to non-disabled people.

There are two forms of dance for competitive purposes: the Combi where one partner is in a wheelchair and one is non-disabled, and the Duo, where two persons are in wheelchairs.

The dances practised are: Latin American – Cha Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive, and the Standard category – Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot and Quickstep.

For competition purposes, there are two classifications of disability which are graded by trained classifiers. There are also different stages, with dancers starting at beginner level and able to reach championship grade.

Chairperson Pippa Roberts said that her goal was to ensure integration at a maximum level, so she kept dances in line with those for the non-disabled. Participants, therefore, also practised line dancing and solo dancing, which can be used socially.

Wheelchair dancing holds many benefits for participants, as may be evidenced by the looks of satisfaction on the dancers’ faces. The wheelchair user can express the feeling of dance which has nothing to do with the use of the person’s legs. Through the wheelchair and the use of arms and other parts of the body, movement is made in the same way as with non-disabled people. Moreover, participation on a social level helps a person gain confidence and enjoy connecting with other people.

Wheelchair dancing is a sport and art that promotes social integration, whereby the non-disabled person may get to know the wheelchair user as a person rather than as somebody with a disability.

Vodafone Malta Foundation Chairperson Gemma Mifsud Bonnici praised the Malta Dancesport Association’s enthusiasm. She said that such events helped to eliminate many misconceptions about the abilities of wheelchair users and had the added advantage of encouraging new friendships.