American Dancewheels built on inclusion, growing through inspiration [Video]

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A Philadelphia-based nonprofit that teaches adaptive Ballroom and Latin Dance to people with disabilities is celebrating 20 years of passion, inclusion and inspiration.

“Connection is the most important part, because if you don’t have the connection then the person in the chair doesn’t move,” said American DanceWheels Foundation’s Artistic Director, Aubree Marchione.

That connection, the movement, the rhythm; that’s the foundation for dance. Standing is not a requirement. It’s why American DanceWheels has captured audiences across the globe.

It all started 20 years ago in Montgomery County, with Melinda Kremer who founded the non-profit, American Dance Wheels Foundation for the purpose of inclusion.

“My daughter was disabled at 11 and I saw it as an opportunity for her to dance again,” said Kremer.

The wheels really started turning after Kremer introduced this program to kids in Philadelphia schools. Then, it was one of the foundation’s performances at Rowan University that …