Manual Wheelchairs - World Health Organization

4.1 Introduction
Purpose and outputs
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The purpose of the training guidelines is to develop the skills and knowledge of personnel involved
in wheelchair provision.
Implementation of the training guidelines will contribute to:
• an increase in the number of personnel trained in wheelchair provision;
• an improvement in the competences of wheelchair provision personnel;
• greater recognition for personnel trained and practising in the field of wheelchair provision;
• greater integration of wheelchair provision within rehabilitation services; and
• increased collaboration among those involved in the development, implementation and
maintenance of wheelchair provision training programmes.
Strategies
Effective wheelchair provision requires that personnel have the appropriate knowledge and skills.
The following provides some strategies to assist in developing training opportunities and initiatives
(1). The United Nations Standard Rules concerning “personnel training” indicate that countries are
responsible for ensuring the adequate training of personnel, at all levels, involved in planning and
providing programmes and services for people with disabilities (2). This is confirmed in Article 4 of
the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (3).
Identifying candidates for training
Existing health or rehabilitation personnel could be easily trained for wheelchair provision. Possible
candidates for training usually are: community health care workers, community-based rehabilitation
workers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, prosthetists, orthotists, local craftsmen and
technicians. Users comprise another group of potential candidates: although they may lack
professional training, users already have a fundamental understanding of their needs and may be
highly motivated. Studies indicate that wheelchair skills training for manual wheelchair users is
efficacious, safe and practical (4).
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