From navigating stairs, to wheelies and 360 degree manoeuvres, wheelchair training groups are giving new and long-time users the techniques to make life a little bit easier.

Wheelchair Skills Training groups, organised by specialist wheelchair and seating assessment service Seating to Go, are designed to teach wheelchair users how to confidently and independently operate their manual or powered chair.

Maioro Barton is using his life-long experience of wheelchair use to empower others to do the same. Photo: Maioro Barton.

Maioro Barton is one of the experienced mentors, and has been taking the Tauranga workshops in Greerton.

Born with spina bifida, Maioro had two vertebrae sticking out of his back and was paralysed from the waist down.

At age eight, he underwent an operation to fix his spine, preventing the development of scoliosis, but has been in a wheelchair for nearly all of his life.

The inspirational figure has never let his disability hold him back and is a double Waikato and NZ representative for athletics in shotput, discus, javelin, as well as a wheelchair basketball player for the Waikato.

'It's a really rewarding job,” the Cambridge resident tells of the three-day programme, the last of which is being held in Greerton this Wednesday, June 24.

The final day focuses on using the skills participants have learnt and applying them to real-life situations.

'Everyone is at a different level of ability with their chair and with various disabilities,” says Maioro.

'Some people only need a day to update their skills, but if they're new to a wheelchair, we recommend they come for all three sessions.

'Sessions focus on being able to manoeuvre your wheelchair in small spaces, 360s, pulling wheelies, be able to stay up in a wheelie, and also some life skills such as opening up doors, picking stuff off the ground and going up ramps.”

Maioro has been a mentor for three years, taking workshops in the Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Lakes regions.

He says the skills are life-changing for some participants and it's an amazing feeling to be able to use his experience to help them.

'I met a lady couple years ago who'd been in a wheelchair for 36 years and had never tried a wheelie, and in another session I met a girl who wanted to know how to get down the steps so she didn't have to go so far to cross the road to get to the park near her house.”

To sign up for future workshops, see www.seatingtogo.co.nz, and click on News and Vacancies.