14-05-2025
Smiths Hill High principal returns after cycling crash leaves him with quadriplegia
When David Deitz crashed his road bike in a cycling event at Wollongong in 2023, the Smiths Hill High School principal had not long won a national masters championship.
The accident was life-changing and left him with quadriplegia.
Two years after the crash, he has returned to full duties at his school.
"That's what work provides for a lot of people … it allows them to live fulfilling lives."
While he requires a high level of care around the home, Mr Deitz has slipped back into his role at the school after a few alterations to his office.
He has an automatic sliding door, an adjustable desk and uses voice-activated software to read and write emails.
"To reconnect with the purpose I see and the role I have at the school and be part of a school community doing great things with young people."
While Mr Deitz's school has been accommodating, he said the nearby business precinct was largely inaccessible.
The strips of old shops almost all have a step at the entrance, which prevents a wheelchair from rolling inside.
Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day and while its focus is to improve digital accessibility for people with a disability, Mr Deitz is calling for businesses to make some small but important physical changes.
He said a small and cheap temporary ramp was often enough to open up a shop to a wheelchair user.
"It doesn't need to be made of concrete or be expensive — sometimes there are very simple solutions that can be put in place quite easily."
Mr Deitz has called on businesses to be proactive and identify accessibility issues at their premises before people ask.
"I want them to improve accessibility to businesses and public transport to allow people like myself to have the same opportunities as other people do," he said.
