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Understanding the Global Challenges to Accessing Appropriate Wheelchairs: Position Paper

Gowran, Rosemary Joan and Bray, Nathan and Goldberg, Mary and Rushton, Paula and Barhouche Abou Saab, Marie and Constantine, David and Ghosh, Ritu and Pearlman, Jonathan (2021) Understanding the Global Challenges to Accessing Appropriate Wheelchairs: Position Paper. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (7). p. 3338. ISSN 1660-4601

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Abstract

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.


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Details

Item Type: Article
Status: Published
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Gowran, Rosemary Joan
Bray, Nathan
Goldberg, Marymgoldberg@pitt.edu
Rushton, Paula
Barhouche Abou Saab, Marie
Constantine, David
Ghosh, Ritu
Pearlman, Jonathanjpearlman@pitt.edu
Date: 24 March 2021
Date Type: Publication
Journal or Publication Title: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume: 18
Number: 7
Publisher: MDPI AG
Page Range: p. 3338
DOI or Unique Handle: 10.3390/ijerph18073338
Schools and Programs: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences > Rehabilitation Science and Technology
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: appropriate wheelchairs, assistive technology, human security, sustainable development
ISSN: 1660-4601
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18073338
Article Type: Commentary
Date Deposited: 27 Jun 2022 18:12
Last Modified: 27 Jun 2022 18:12
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/43121

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