A wheelchair is one of the most commonly used assistive
devices for enhancing the personal mobility of people with
disabilities. An estimated 1% of the world's population, or
just over 65 million people, need a wheelchair.*
Wheelchair users
come from a variety of backgrounds. Providing appropriate
wheelchairs that are fit for the purpose not only enhances mobility
but begins a process of opening up a world of education, work and
social life. In most developing countries access to quality &
appropriate wheelchairs is affected due to:
Limited or
insufficient production of wheelchairs
Wheelchairs
are distributed without appropriate assessment of the need
What is an appropriate wheelchair?
An appropriate
wheelchair is one that meets the users –
Needs and
environmental conditions
Provides
proper fit and postural support
Is safe and
durable
Is available
in the country
Can be
obtained and maintained and services sustained in the country at
the most economical and affordable price
Hence each
individual wheelchair user has to be prescribed and fit with a
wheelchair for their needs. A wheelchair prescription defines the
specifications of a chair according to an individual's particular
needs.
To help
rehabilitation professionals properly address the needs of persons
who require a wheelchair, Mobility India conducts the “Fit for Life
-Wheelchair Prescription Course in partnership with Motivation, a U.K.-based
organization.
We
were trained in prescribing and assembling wheelchairs in
addition to prosthetic and therapy training courses. We learnt
about transfer techniques, care and maintenance of wheelchair
and wheelchairs for slopes and uneven regions. After the
training we
have fitted 13 wheelchairs for people in remote villages. All of
them are using their wheelchairs and feel that mobility has
improved.
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We
were trained in prescribing and assembling wheelchairs in
addition to prosthetic and therapy training courses. We learnt
about transfer techniques, care and maintenance of wheelchair
and wheelchairs for slopes and uneven regions. After the
training we
have fitted 13 wheelchairs for people in remote villages. All of
them are using their wheelchairs and feel that mobility has
improved.