Pictured L-R: Kylie Shae (WHO), Chapal Khasnabis (WHO), Claude Tardif (ISPO), David Constantine (ISPO), Alex Kamadu (ISWP), Silvana Contepomi (AATA) and Mariette Deist (ISPO)
The World Health Organization (WHO), the International Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) and the International Society of Wheelchair Providers (ISWP) did a soft launch of WHO Wheelchair Provision Guidelines at the ISPO World Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico on April 24, 2023. Wheelchairs are one of the most commonly used mobility devices, and have the potential to enhance individual’s health, independence, productivity and quality of life. However, many people are denied access due to a lack of services and/or have poor outcomes due to their needs not being matched to the best wheelchair solution for them.
These Guidelines build on lessons learned from the 2008 WHO Wheelchair Guidelines on the Provision of Manual Wheelchairs in Less Resourced Settings and have drawn on the growing body of knowledge of best practice in wheelchair provision. This will provide evidence-based recommendations and best practice guidance to support countries in developing or improving essential wheelchair services. The Guidelines aim to ensure wheelchair users everywhere have the opportunity for timely access to, and support to use, an appropriate wheelchair through wheelchair services that are people-centered and responsive to individual needs and goals. The final version of the Guidelines will be available by the end of this month.
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