Based on the fundamental belief that dance is an expression of the human spirit best shared by people of all abilities, the Dancing Wheels Company and School stands as one of the premier arts and disabilities organizations in the United States. Founded in Cleveland in 1980 by Mary Verdi Fletcher, the first professional wheelchair dancer in the nation, this pioneering, physically integrated company unites the talents of dancers both with and without disabilities. Born with spina bifida, Verdi Fletcher envisioned a world where individuals with disabilities had full and equal access to the performing arts. This once unimaginable concept has since revolutionized the traditional definition of a dancer and expanded the boundaries of contemporary dance.

Over the decades, the inspirational mission of Dancing Wheels has touched more than six and a half million people globally through live performances, school assemblies, residencies, and workshops. The organization grew significantly with the opening of the School of Dancing Wheels in 1990, establishing a world class training center for dancers, choreographers, and educators, alongside a groundbreaking decade long partnership with the Cleveland Ballet. Now operating under Professional Flair, Inc., the company travels the globe advocating for disability awareness while entertaining up to fifty thousand people each year. Boasting a rich repertoire of over ninety works from nationally esteemed choreographers, the company continues to break down barriers, celebrate accessibility, and demonstrate the universal power of artistic movement.

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