Malden School Committee accepts grant‑funded all‑terrain wheelchair for students

The Malden School Committee voted unanimously on Dec. 8 to accept a donated GRIT Freedom all‑terrain youth wheelchair secured through a Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation grant.

Amanda Bellas, chair of the Malden Disability Commission, and Maria (who led the application) described the chair as an all‑terrain, transportable device designed to enable youth with mobility needs to participate in outdoor activities (snow, mud, grass, mulch). Maria said the commission will initially house the chair at Beebe School and that the chair can be disassembled to fit in most vehicles.

Joe Levine, head of the Recreation Department, said the city’s recreation programming plans to incorporate the chair into some activities. A student representative asked if more chairs are available and whether loans would cost anything; the committee was told there is one chair and that loans will be free.

The motion to accept the donation was made by a committee member and seconded by Mr. McCarthy; after a roll call the chair announced the motion carried unanimously.