Understanding the Global Challenges to Accessing Appropriate Wheelchairs: Position Paper

Rosemary Joan Gowran, Nathan Bray, Mary Goldberg, Paula Rushton, Marie Barhouche Abou Saab, David Constantine, Ritu Ghosh and Jonathan Pearlman
Additional contact information
Rosemary Joan Gowran: School of Allied Health, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, Health Research Institute, Health Implementation Science and Technology (HIST), University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
Nathan Bray: School of Health Sciences, Bangor University, Gwynedd LL57 2EF, UK
Mary Goldberg: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences & Technology, University of Pittsburgh & International Society of Wheelchair Professionals, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA
Paula Rushton: École de Réadaptation, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
Marie Barhouche Abou Saab: Unité des Aides Technique, SESOBEL, Ain El Rihani, Lebanon
David Constantine: MBE, Founder Director, Motivation UK/International, Bristol BS3 4EG, UK
Ritu Ghosh: Mobility India, Rehabilitation Research and Training Centre, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bengaluru 560078, India
Jonathan Pearlman: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences & Technology, University of Pittsburgh & International Society of Wheelchair Professionals, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 7, 1-14

Abstract: Introduction: Appropriate wheelchairs are often essential for the health and wellbeing of people with mobility impairments to enhance fundamental freedoms and equal opportunity. To date, provision has mainly focused on just delivering the wheelchair instead of following an evidence-based wheelchair service delivery process. In addition, many governments have not committed to a national wheelchair provision policy. Approach: To prepare this position paper, a systemic development model, founded on the sustainable human security paradigm, was employed to explore the global challenges to accessing appropriate wheelchairs. Positions: I: Consideration of key perspectives of wheelchair provision across the life course is essential to meet the needs to children, adults, older people and their families; II: Comprehensive wheelchair service delivery processes and a competent workforce are essential to ensure appropriate wheelchair service provision; III: Evaluations on wheelchair product quality development, performance and procurement standards are key as wheelchair product quality is generally poor; IV: Understanding the economic landscape when providing wheelchairs is critical. Wheelchair funding systems vary across jurisdictions; V: Establishing wheelchair provision policy is a key priority, as specific policy is limited globally. Conclusion: The vision is to take positive action to develop appropriate and sustainable wheelchair service provision systems globally, for me, for you, for us.

Keywords: appropriate wheelchairs; assistive technology; human security; sustainable development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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