WHO publishes wheelchair guidelines
By HME News Staff
Updated 9:21 AM CDT, Wed June 7, 2023
GENEVA, Switzerland – The World Health Organization has published guidelines to support improved access to wheelchairs. The guidelines are relevant for all countries and apply to all wheelchair users and types of wheelchairs. They emphasize that the best outcomes in wheelchair access occur when wheelchair users have the benefit of wheelchair selection following an individual process of assessment, fitting, training and follow up, provided by appropriately trained personnel. Ultimately, the purpose of the guidelines is to ensure that wheelchair users have timely access through wheelchair services that are people centered and responsive to their needs, the WHO says. Achieving equitable access to appropriate wheelchairs requires an overall strategy that places people at the center, and focuses equal attention on policy, products, provision and personnel as interconnected elements that must come together for a holistic result, it says. The guidelines offer service and system level recommendations and implementation guidance toward optimizing wheelchair service models, delivering wheelchair service activities, ensuring training for all personnel that play a role in wheelchair provision, strengthening systems to monitor and evaluate wheelchair provision, and encouraging a supportive policy environment.
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