Seating and

postural support for people with disabilities

The United Nations Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities

States should ensure the development and supply of support services, including assistive devices for persons with disabilities, to assist them to increase their level of independence in their daily living and to exercise their rights. (Rule 4, UN, 1993)

“According to the needs of people with disabilities”

The wheelchair is one of the most commonly used assistive devices for mobility for disabled people

For many people, an appropriate, well-designed and well-fitted wheelchairis the first step towards inclusion and participation in society.

Many

kind of wheelchair

The WHO Guidelines on Wheelchairs aims for greater access to appropriate wheelchairs by assisting Governments to developproper systems for wheelchair provision thereby fulfilling their obligation toimplement Article 20 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

When is a wheelchair appropriate [i]?

1 : meets the user’s needs and environmental conditions,

[i] Guidelines on the provision of manual wheelchairs in less resourced settings WHO 2008

2: provides proper fit and postural support

Inappropriate seat

[i] Guidelines on the provision of manual wheelchairs in less resourced settings WHO 2008

appropriate seat

3: is safe and durable

[i] Guidelines on the provision of manual wheelchairs in less resourced settings WHO 2008

4: is available and can be accessed, maintained and sustained in the country at the most economical and affordable price.

[i] Guidelines on the provision of manual wheelchairs in less resourced settings WHO 2008

When the need is not met, people with disabilities are isolated and do not have access to the same opportunities as others within their own communities.

We need to ensure that the device is appropriate

for the user who receives it and that itwill not cause additional healthcomplications, pain and suffering oradditional expense to the governmenthealth services

X

X

Early intervention is of the utmost importance

and the most effective way to prevent disabilities

Long term health management potential of assistive devices

Over 2 yearsScoliosis managedin special w/c back

support system

Long term health management potential of assistive devices

Over 4 yearsPostural deformities + contractures, facilitate

normal growth

Professional wheelchair service

Professional ServicesAll devices are provided through responsible, sustainable wheelchair services which can offer:1. assessment

Professional services

2. Fitting

Professional services:

3. Reviews 4. Repairs and replacement

5. training, follow-up and maintenance is of the utmost

importance

The wrong wheelchair can cause discomfort, pain, deformities, pressure sores and other

secondary health complications.

Special seating

Special seating

Special seating

Special seating

Special seating

Special seating