Abilities in Motion | Rick Hansen Foundation

Use the Abilities In Motion Elementary toolkit and supplementary resources to increase awareness about the importance of accessibility and inclusion while changing attitudes about the potential of people with disabilities.

Supplemental Resources

Elementary-aged boy using a wheelchair smiling while holding a pencil in a classroom. Cover of "Accessible Classroom" lesson.

Accessible Classroom (Kindergarten)

Students read a book about a child with a disability or discuss pictures of people with disabilities. They consider how accessible their classroom would be for a student with a disability.

Two young boys playing wheelchair basketball. A third boy in a sports wheelchair can be partially seen. The boy closest to the camera is holding a basketball and smiling. Cover image for "We Are Like Snowflakes" lesson.

We Are Like Snowflakes (Kindergarten)

Students complete a T-chart on similarities and differences of snowflakes to learn that each snowflake is unique, just like people. Students compare similarities between children, including those with disabilities.

Close up photo of two students' hands as they work on a tactile wooden puzzle block activity. Cover for "Everyone has Abilities" lesson.

Gr1 Lesson: Everyone Has Abilities

Students identify their own abilities and challenges, read a story about Rick Hansen and discuss how much we can tell (and can’t tell!) about a person just by looking at them.

Two elementary-aged boys sitting together outside looking off view of the camera, as if they are listening to a set of instructions. Cover for "School Inspectors" lesson.

Gr2 Lesson: School Inspectors

Students learn about different types of physical disabilities and the barriers that can make getting around difficult for people with a disability. Students analyze different areas of the school to consider how accessible they are.

Two kids scribble and draw together on a white pad with Grade Two: A Day in Your Shoes text in front.

Gr2 Lesson: A Day in Your Shoes

Students will draw and decorate their own shoes from cardstock or paper, and write a short snippet about themselves. Students learn that we may never fully understand how another person is feeling because we all have differences from one another, but we should always try to understand.

Three elementary-aged children using wheelchairs and powerchairs accompanied by a woman and a man, enjoying a sheltered accessible play area. Cover for "Let's Play: Accessible Playgrounds" lesson.

Gr3 Lesson: Let's Play: Accessible Playgrounds

Students explore ways to make school playgrounds accessible for everyone, including children with disabilities.

Image of a boy and girl sitting and listening intently while in class. Cover for "Assumptions" (grade 3) lesson.

Gr3 Lesson: Assumptions

Students examine their first impressions of different roles people hold in society (for example, Artist, Athlete, Musician). These mindsets are challenged by introducing students to famous people with disabilities who hold these roles.

Graphic of a black background with white curved lines running vertically, depicting soundwaves. Cover for "Echolocation" lesson.

Lesson: Echolocation (Grades 3-4)

In pairs, students take turns to locate their partners. The task is then repeated a second time with multiple pairs locating their partners at the same time. This activity illustrates the impact of background noise on echolocation.

Rick Hansen at an elementary school assembly, greeting and extending his hand out to the first row of seated students. Cover for "What's your T10, 11, and 12?" lesson.

Gr4 Lesson: What's Your T10, 11 and 12

Students learn about spinal cord injuries and their effects, and the ability of persons with disabilities to lead healthy, active and social lives.

Image from the Rick Hansen Man In Motion World Tour of Rick wheeling down a road in front of a mountain, while waving at onlookers off screen. He is joined by a few other wheelers behind him, as well as four cyclists and the Tour motorhome. Cover for "On the Move" lesson.

Gr5 Lesson: On the Move

Students explore how slope and surface affect momentum and distance travelled by moving objects such as toy cars and wheelchairs.

Rick Hansen in his wheelchair, greeting a line of middle-school students that are reaching his hands out to him. A few of the students are taking pictures. Cover for "Accessible or Not?" lesson.

Gr6 Lesson: Accessible or Not?

Students analyze case studies to explore how physical spaces can be made more accessible.

Rick Hansen and a little boy in a stroller pointing at each other and smiling. Cover for "First Impressions and Stereotypes" lesson.

Gr7 Lesson: First Impressions and Stereotypes

Students discuss first impressions and the importance of seeing beyond myths and stereotypes about people with disabilities.

A group of high school students gathered around a paraplegic man using exoskeleton technology to help him stand and walk. Cover for "Assumptions" (grade 8) lesson.

Gr8 Lesson: Assumptions

Students explore the potential of people with disabilities and the importance of focusing on what people can do, not what they can’t do.

A woman in a blue dress and black sweater, using a white cane to walk down a corridor. Cover for "A Day in the Life" lesson.

Gr8 Lesson: A Day in the Life

After students view the video Changing the Conversation About Disability, students journal their day-to-day activities over the course of a week. They consider which activities would be challenging for a person with a disability. Students create a "Day in the Life of" project about a person with a disability.

A big blue circle that says "4. Activities" over a photo of Rick Hansen talking to a young boy at a playground. Both are in wheelchairs.

Activities (K-8)

Activities, which can be used on their own or combined into a circuit as part of a larger event. Most of the activities will require a space larger than your classroom e.g. a gym or outdoor space. Activities provide your students with fun, experiential activities to give them an idea of how people with vision, hearing or physical disabilities overcome challenges and how all of us can help. Any of the activities can be combined with any of the lessons.

Close up photo of a student's hands as they write on a blank sheet of paper. Cover image for "Disability Awareness (K-8) Assessment Tools".

Assessment Tools (K-8)

To be used for in-class activities, homework assignments, and student projects.

Appendices (K-8)

AIM K-8 Toolkit Appendices/Information in this section is referred to throughout the AIM toolkit.

Audiobook: Boy in Motion

Encourage students to believe in themselves, through the inspiring story of Rick Hansen's early years.

Audiobook: Roll On

The remarkable story of Rick Hansen's Man in Motion World Tour—and all the big dreams it inspired.

Cover of illustrated children's book: Rick Hansen 'The boy who loved to move'.

E-Audio Book: The Boy who Loved to Move

Inspire your students with the story of Rick Hansen, the boy who loved to move in this accessible e-audio book. Hard copies available.

E-Book: The Boy who Loved to Move

Inspire your students with the story of Rick Hansen, the boy who loved to move. Hard copies available.

E-book: Boy in Motion

Encourage students to believe in themselves, through the inspiring story of Rick Hansen's early years.

E-book: Roll On

The remarkable story of Rick Hansen's Man in Motion World Tour—and all the big dreams it inspired.

Book cover of Rick Hansen - Canadian Hero

E-book: Canadian Hero

How long would it take to go all the way around the world in a wheelchair? It took Rick Hansen more than two years. Why did he do it? Find out in Rick Hansen: Canadian Hero.

Screenshot from "The Journey" video - an image from the Man In Motion World Tour, where Rick is wheeling wearing a red snow suit. Beside him are a few runners as well as cyclists. In the background is a mountain with snow and evergreen trees.

Video: The Journey

In March 1985, Rick set off from Vancouver to wheel 40,000 kilometres through 34 countries on the Man In Motion World Tour to prove the potential of people with disabilities. His 26-month journey inspired an entire nation to believe anything is possible and moved thousands to make a difference.

Screenshot from "Ambassador Teri Thorson" video - an image of a woman with pink hair in a wheelchair wheeling down a sidewalk alongside her young son, who is using a scooter.

Video: Ambassador Teri Thorson

Meet Teri Thorson, a Rick Hansen Ambassador. Teri worked in the software industry, was a professional dancer and fashion model and liked to live life to the fullest. On her first international vacation to Australia she was involved in a car accident and became a quadriplegic. In this short film Teri talks about her life as a mum with a disability, and her belief that if you have a dream and have the courage to try, anything is possible.

Build an accessible and inclusive future

Supplemental Resources

Want to get a feel for our educational materials? Check out a sample lesson before downloading a full toolkit!

Do you need hard copies of our resources or books?

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Our programs and initiatives work to create an accessible and inclusive world where people with disabilities can live to their full potential.

When Rick set out to wheel around the world in 1985, he had two missions: to raise awareness about the potential of people with disabilities, and to raise funds for Spinal Cord Injury research.

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