Wheelchair: Top Priorities for Managing Risks

Wheelchairs and Accessibility: Navigating Demand, Challenges, and Solutions

For people with disabilities, wheelchairs are something more than mobility aids—they are essential to gaining and maintaining independence and self-reliance and to everyday societal involvement. Unfortunately, supplies of wheelchairs tend to fall short of the increasing demand, resulting in supply issues for both manufacturers and consumers. 

Demand Is Increasing, Yet Accessibility Gaps Remain

The demand for wheelchairs in North America has been increasing rapidly. In the U.S. and Canada, demand outstrips supply more than threefold, leaving many people in need of the appropriate mobility solution. Further compounding the demand is the aging population, many of whom need to be active in their daily routines. Experts say the need for new wheelchairs internationally is in the millions, and by 2021, North America alone was expected to need up to 6 million new units. 

Unfortunately, many people need to spend most, if not all, of their household income to purchase even a basic, used, or adapted wheelchair. Some people need to make real sacrifices or even borrow money to purchase used wheelchairs in order to secure the mobility they need.

Challenges Beyond Cost 

Affordability issues aren’t the only challenges to the use of public transport. While public transport comes with multiple wheel chair accessible ramps and lifts, many private establishments do not bother to install “accessibility” upgrades. Simple $2000 ramps to allow patrons to use wheelchairs would open up opportunities to include wheelchair users in grocery shopping, dining, or visiting businesses. Finally, performing simple errands can turn physically exhausting and time-consuming when the places to visit are poorly designed or overcrowded. 

Challenges do not stop with users. Playgrounds, public parks, and other facilities are designed to accommodate wheelchairs, but the provision of durable, adaptable, and affordable wheelchairs is still lacking. This takes advanced planning in the use of emerging materials and design innovation, and with the current supply challenges, bold strategic investments in production and efficient manufacturing practices become necessary. 

Looking Ahead 

The challenges are many, but the potential opportunities are far greater. Attention to the challenges of overcoming barriers to the use of powered wheelchairs and the use of lightweight manual designs shows the rapid societal and policy proactive investments to address the challenges concerning the use of wheelchairs.

For individuals and families, gaining mobility means finding the right options, looking for accessible alternatives, and pushing for environments that offer full inclusion. “Heart and soul of independence” describes the wheelchair, and the affordability, supply, and accessibility issues surrounding it are problems that need to be solved to ensure this independence is attainable for all who need it.