Starting Your Own CRWM

Interested in hosting your own event or developing an organization like CRWM?

  • Below is a 5-stage process for conducting your own CRWM event (pre COVID-19) with a basic overview of each stage. An at-home version of CRWM has been added in consideration of safety guidelines following COVID-19. Both programs provide unique experiences that promote inclusion and accessibility. Follow these easy steps- it’s worth the effort!
  • If you would like access to our procedure manual that provides a comprehensive approach, please reach out to us on our contact page. Find additional information with frequently asked questions. We also have an in-depth procedures manual that is available upon request. These resources offer insight on how to create and sustain a Come Roll With Me organization in your community. Still have questions? Contact us!

Standard Version of CRWM

  1. Find a Local DME Company
    • Identify a local DME (durable medical equipment) company who will allow use of 5-6 generally sized manual wheelchairs with at least one custom manual wheelchair (MWC), if possible.
  2. Introduction with a Wheelchair User
    • Find a guest speaker. This person is typically a wheelchair user who will meet you at the facility (see #3) and be present throughout your event. Their role is to provide first-hand account of their life as a wheelchair user, engage with participants, and answer questions participant’s might have throughout the event. Prior to the event, it is important to inform guest speakers that their time commitment will generally involve being present for 2-3 hours.
    • Prompt CRWM leaders and volunteers to engage with participants throughout the experience. This includes conversing with wheelchair users that are present, asking questions, and sharing thoughts about the experience.
  3. Find a Facility
    • Identify a local establishment where participants can actively engage in wheelchair use for 1.5-2 hours. This can include, but is not limited to, the library, mall, stores, places that have various surfaces, tight spaces/open spaces, public restrooms, water fountains, elevators, or any activities that can be done from the wheelchair). A familiar place previously visited by the children can create an experience through a different lens.
    • Interior/exterior exploration: Exploration of the interior and exterior is very important for the participants to get a full experience. Exterior exploration includes parking lots, sidewalks, entrances, and other surrounding areas that may be applicable.
  4. Find a Restaurant
    • Identify a restaurant to go to following the main activity. Consider that there will be potentially 5-7 kids in wheelchairs, parents, and volunteers. Places typically visited include, but are not limited to, Moe’s Southwest, Newks, Jason’s Deli, Food Courts, etc. For the experience, it is best practice to order food, get food to a table, throw food away, and access a bathroom as independently as possible utilizing the wheelchair.
  5. Have a Discussion
    • Discussions involve CRWM leaders and volunteers prompting participants with questions following the experience and debriefing what participants learned from their CRWM experience.
    • Challenge participants to do some homework that encourages them to think reflectively on their experience and explore take-aways they want to share with their peers or family members. These assignments can be written, drawn, video, etc. We encourage those that participate in this homework to submit their assignments back to CRWM for sharing.
  6. Return wheelchairs
    • At the completion of the event, return the wheelchairs to the storage facility or DME company location. 

At-Home Version of CRWM

  • In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for a differing version of Come Roll With Me was created. This version adheres to CDC safety guidelines while keeping the CRWM participants and team members safe. This version has proven to offer new, valuable experiences and realizations for participants.  

Differences

  • Implementation
    • This model is limited by the number of available wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are provided to participants for use over a 1 to 2 day period. In this model, one family with 2-3 children meets with a CRWM team member to receive thoroughly cleaned wheelchairs. 
    • Family members are shown how to fold, transport, and safely use wheelchairs. 
    • The expectations are provided to the family as they are when doing a traditional in-person event at a public location. They are asked to take photos and videos and note any insights during their time with the wheelchairs. 
    • Use is key! The family is asked to use them as much as possible in/around their home and anytime they visit public places.
    • When their experience is over, a CRWM team member will meet with them to retrieve the wheelchairs and get a synopsis of their event. The wheelchairs are then thoroughly cleaned and stored for future use. 
  • Debriefing
    • A CRWM Team Member identifies a willing wheelchair user to do a video call (via Zoom or any other video call platform) with the family and team within 2 weeks from the conclusion of the experience for an opportunity of reflection.
    • The wheelchair user, if they are willing, will show their home and vehicle with any relevant accessibility adaptations and participate in the discussion by telling their experience as a wheelchair user and answer questions brought forward by the participants. 
    • The same discussion points are implemented here as with the traditional process.
  • Post-event projects are requested to identify the impact on each participant, and with permission, post a summary on social media.