International Society of Wheelchair Professionals

Here's some statistics regarding wheelchair provision! 🌏 80 million people are potentially in need of a wheelchair to assist with mobility (World Health Organization, 2023) 🏡65 million who need a wheelchair live in low and middle income countries (ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, 2024) 👨🏾🦼➡️65-95% of people who need a wheelchair don’t have access to one (ATscale,2024) 👳🏼♀️ By 2050, the world’s population of people aged 60 years and older will double (WHO,2024) What can we do? ISWP is committed to increasing our dialogue amongst our network to: 👩🦳🧑🦳Support discussions around the ageing population and wheelchair provision 🧑🏾🦽➡️Improve our wheelchair provision training packages 🌍Work collaboratively with various stakeholders to support appropriate wheelchair provision, improve local quality production and sustainability and ensure accessibility. #Wheelchairs #WheelchairProvision #DisabilityAdvocacy#ActivelyAgeing #AgeingActively

🎬New Film! #UnlockTheEveryday Times Square Takeover 🎉 📌 This 45 second film shows 📍Times Square on 23 September 2024 as campaigners came together to call on decision-makers, gathered in New York for the #UnitedNations General Assembly, hashtag#UNGA79, to prioritize policies that will improve the lives of hundreds of millions of people, including those with disabilities, chronic health conditions, physical impairments, and older people around the world. 💥 Huge billboards in Times Square unveiled a giant eye test, believed to be the largest ever displayed. The eye test transformed into a powerful message: “Need Glasses? one billion people around the world do today”, highlighting one of several life-transforming assistive products campaigners are calling for better access to #AssistiveTechnology! Currently, more than 2.5 billion people need one or more assistive product, such as wheelchairs, prostheses, glasses, hearing aids and digital devices, worldwide – expected to rise to 3.5 billion by 2050 if policymakers continue to neglect the issue and choose not to increase investment. It is low-middle income countries that shoulder the highest burden, with only 10% of people in low-income countries able to access the products they need, leading to hundreds of millions of people today effectively ‘locked-out’ of education and the workforce. 🎞️🔍 Watch the short recap video and catch the power of #UnlockTheEveryday message, broadcasted on the world’s biggest stage, #TimesSquare, NY! 📚 Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/dW3pVRwr 🎥 Watch accessible versions of the short recap with English, Spanish and French audio description on #UnlockTheEveryday Youtube: https://ow.ly/jYON50TT7ai #UnlockTheEveryday #SummitOfTheFuture #UNGA79

🚨 New Research Alert! 🚨 Don't miss out on this insightful publication: "Exploring the Utilization of Assistive Technology in Clinical Settings" 📑. Discover how assistive technology is revolutionizing healthcare and improving patient outcomes. 🌟 Learn how better access and innovation in AT can transform care for individuals with disabilities. 🌍💡 Read more: https://lnkd.in/gyj6j6YH #AssistiveTechnology #HealthcareInnovation #PatientCare #Research #DisabilitySupport #MDPI #ISWP

🚨 Exciting News! 🚨 Justin Jesudas, ISWP board member, will be representing ISWP and present about the organisation at the #CreaTeConference2024, happening October 18-19 in Bengaluru, India. The title of Justin's presentation is "Access to Empowerment: Workforce Development in Global Wheelchair Service Provisioning". Stay tuned for valuable insights on advancing global wheelchair services! 🌍♿️ #CreaTE2024 #WheelchairProvision #WorkforceDevelopment #Empowerment #ISWP

People are living longer due to advancements in #healthcare, leading to a significant increase in the older population. The UN's report (2023) "Leaving No One Behind in an Ageing World" projects that by 2050, over 1.6 billion people will be aged 65 or older. The International Society of Wheelchair Professionals is committed towards driving change to achieve the best mobility outcomes for the aged. I'm delighted to be presenting 'Wheelchair Seating for Enhancing Elderly Care' at the Home Care and Rehabilitation Exhibition in Japan next week. I'm glad to include a photo of my late Grandmother in my presentation, highlighting her experience as an occasional wheelchair user in her later years. https://lnkd.in/drYYw_Zm

My cup is full with a deep sense of respect for Japanese culture, especially towards the aged. According to the WHO, by 2050, the world’s population of people aged 60 years and older will double (2.1 billion). The number of persons aged 80 years or older is expected to triple between 2020 and 2050 to reach 426 million. 🙏 A heartfelt thanks to the International Home Care and Rehabilitation Exhibition (H.C.R) organisers as well as to everyone we had the pleasure of meeting. It was a huge privilege to be involved in the opening ceremony and present on seating for the aged. It was also a good opportunity to discuss the World Health Organization #WheelchairProvisionGuidelines. Take away points: ✅ Globally the number of people living longer will increase and we need to understand the growing #AssistiveTechnology needs of the ageing population better. ✅ Innovation is important but must be easy to use - How/should we integrate AI into powered mobility for the aged? ✅ The advancements in technology should be made more accessible to #PWDs in #LMICs reducing inequality globally. We NEED to do better. ✅ More wheelchair assessment, prescription & skills training (Including certification) through regional seating symposia is required. The visit would not have been complete without enjoying the delicious sushi! International Society of Wheelchair Professionals #WheelchairProvision #Innovation #AssistiveTechnology

🌍 Join Us at the International Home Care & Rehabilitation Exhibition (HCR) 2024! 🌍 Discover the latest innovations in home care, assistive technology, and rehabilitation at the HCR Seminar, happening from October 2-4 in Tokyo, Japan! 🇯🇵 This event brings together industry leaders, professionals, and innovators to showcase cutting-edge solutions that improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities and the elderly. From insightful seminars to product exhibitions, it's a must-attend event for anyone passionate about accessibility and independence. Alex Kamadu and Krithika Kandavel will be presenting on the topic, "Wheelchair Seating for Enhancing Elderly Care" on Oct 4 at 1:00 pm Tokyo time. 🔗 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gVuGjpqa #HCR2024 #Rehabilitation #AssistiveTechnology #Accessibility #Inclusion #HealthcareInnovation #DisabilityAwareness

ISWP is proud to announce that we are now full members of GAATO - The Global Alliance of Assistive Technology Organizations! Another great opportunity to strengthen our partnerships globally. ISWP looks forward to working alongside GAATO and its members to further the provision of quality assistive products and rehabilitation services globally and to continue raising awareness specifically for wheelchair professionals and wheelchair users. #AssistiveTechnology #DisabilityInclusion #SDGs #Wheelchairs

Congratulations to ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology and their #UnlockTheEveryday campaign in Times Square this week. Fantastic to see #AssistiveTechnoloy on the big screen and the momentum globally in working towards access for all those who need AT. #UnlockTheEveryday #UNGA79 #UNSustainableDevelopmentPlatform

Did you know that only 10% of people in low-income countries can access the assistive technology they need, compared to 90% in high-income countries? @UnlockTheEveryday is campaigning for equal access to assistive technology, for everyone, everywhere. On 23 September ATscale took over Times Square to call on policy makers to put assistive technology on the agenda. Everyone, everywhere has the right to access the assistive technology they need. #UnlockTheEveryday #UNGA #SummitOfTheFuture