CLEVELAND — On December 4, the University Circle Police Department will host what they believe is the first self-defense class in the country designed specifically for people with disabilities.
“There’s never been one really specifically designed just for people that have disabilities,” Chief Thomas Wetzel said. “This could be someone that’s in a wheelchair. This could be someone with a cane, limited mobilities, could be just a broken arm, anything that has caused some kind of compromise for them where they may feel more vulnerable.”
The 90-minute class will teach participants how to use everyday items as defensive tools. Simple objects like canes, umbrellas, even keys and pens can become weapons in an emergency.
“We want people to understand something as simple as a cane can actually be a weapon,” Wetzel explained during a demonstration. “Because if they’re under serious threat and they have to defend themselves, it immediately becomes something that they can use as a tool.”
Officers will also demonstrate non-lethal options like tasers and pepper spray, which can create crucial distance from an attacker.
“If someone is coming in to attack him, they don’t have to be right on top of them,” Wetzel said, demonstrating a civilian taser. “This is a tool that can give you up to almost 21 feet of distance.”
But the class goes beyond just physical defense. Officers will teach situational awareness, recognizing red flags, and how to secure homes and vehicles.
“We want to teach them about awareness as well. Just general awareness,” Wetzel said. “We want them to have a heightened sense of awareness, not only advanced skills or some skills that they may pick up, but we also want them walking out of there just that more in tune to their surroundings.”
Lisa Nelson, who has endured 34 brain surgeries due to a rare disease called Pseudotumor Cerebri, understands exactly why this class is needed.
“It’s gonna be helpful because a lot of people I know are disabled and they have trouble getting around,” Nelson said. “And today, now you gotta be careful. People take advantage of disabled and this will help them defend themselves.”
For Nelson and others in the disability community, the class addresses something deeper than just physical safety.
“Being disabled or having disabilities, sometimes you don’t have that confidence to defend yourself or even ask for help to defend yourself,” she said. “And he’s teaching people how to do that and it’s great.”
That confidence is exactly what Chief Wetzel hopes participants will walk away with.
“We don’t want them walking out fearful,” Wetzel said. “We believe they’re gonna walk out a lot more confident feeling like, hey, I can definitely manage this and I can defend myself.”
Wetzel says people with disabilities have been a “neglected group” when it comes to self-defense training, something he’s witnessed throughout his career.
“I know they have been because I’ve seen it myself throughout my life in law enforcement,” he said. “Particularly when we do these outreaches, this is a neglected group and we wanna fix that.”
The department is already planning to expand the program to include senior citizens.
The free self-defense class will be held Dec. 4 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the University Circle Inc. community room on Magnolia. Light refreshments will be provided.
The class is open to anyone with physical disabilities who wants to learn how to better protect themselves. To register, contact University Circle Police Department.
Chief Wetzel hopes other departments across the country will follow their lead.
“We really hope to be a model for other agencies,” he said. “Here’s how you connect with those you serve. Here’s how you can make a difference in your community. Here’s how you really build bridges of trust.”
