Ms. Wheelchair California FAQ

Ms. Wheelchair America and Ms. Wheelchair California Pageants are competitions designed to select the most accomplished and articulate spokeswoman for the millions of Americans with disabilities. The selected representative must be able to communicate both the needs and the accomplishments of her constituency to the general public, the business community and the legislature.

As Ms. Wheelchair California, her duties are numerous. Each year she has the opportunity to travel, make public appearances, and conduct radio, print, and television interviews in the fulfillment of her responsibilities. These include promoting awareness of the need to eliminate architectural and attitudinal barriers, educating Californians on disability issues, and informing the public of the achievements of people with disabilities across our great state.

How do I become a contestant?

The first step is to make sure that you meet all of the requirements for entering the Ms. Wheelchair California competition. You must:

  • be between the ages of 21 and 60
  • utilize a wheelchair for 100% of your daily mobility
  • be a U.S. citizen
  • have resided in the state of California in the six months prior to the pageant
  • serve as the state titleholder at the annual Ms. Wheelchair America Pageant

Next you must fill out the application and locate sponsors for your $300 entry fee. Please contact Ruthee Goldkorn, Executive Director, for an application.

What does my entry fee pay for?

The monies that you collect go towards the expenses of the one day pageant: application fee, judges fees, and expenses to put on the pageant.

Does the winner receive a scholarship or prizes?

The winner receives their crown and sash, entry fees for the national pageant, and a beautiful prize package including jewelry, makeup, and much, much more!

What happens during the one-day pageant?

The contestants and their companions arrive on the day of the pageant. In front of the judges, each contestant will be given the opportunity to give a 2 minute speech introducing themselves and their accomplishments. Judges will then spend some time reviewing your resumes, application, and essay. From there, individual judging sessions begin. The crowning is done soon thereafter. Friends, family, and co-workers are encouraged to attend and cheer you on!

If I am crowned, what can I expect from my year as Ms. Wheelchair California?

The reigning Ms. Wheelchair California is expected to make at least one public appearance a month and is asked to visit all of the major cities in California. Events that she attends could include activities and conferences within the disability community, meetings with state and local officials, school visits, and other mainstreamed outreach opportunities across the state. Ms. Wheelchair California will attend the week long national pageant held annually at the end of August. She will participate in fundraising efforts to support her reign, report her activities to the board of directors, and be willing to participate in any media interviews.

What are the judging criteria during the pageant?

Along with the review of their applications and accomplishments since the onsets of their disabilities, the contestants will be judged in three official judging sessions:

  • One-on-one interviews
  • Onstage interviews
  • Onstage platform speech

The Ms. Wheelchair California Pageant does not take outward appearance into account. The Board of Directors is seeking a winner who radiates beauty and poise because of her accomplishments, speaking skills, and personality.

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