Manual Wheelchairs - World Health Organization

Barriers to participation of users include negative
attitudes held by the public, the users’ families and
sometimes the users themselves. An effective way of
overcoming attitudinal barriers is for users to become
more visible, demonstrating to family, friends and
the broader public that they can participate in social
activities (see Fig. 5.3.). Through direct experience,
users and those around them learn the full extent
of a user’s abilities. Users have the same rights and
opportunities as others to have a family. In fact, a
wheelchair makes family life easier and less stressful
for a person with disability and his or her family.
Governments are encouraged to assist users in
accessing wheelchairs and services that allow them
to function as independently as possible. Users and
their families also need to receive the social benefits
to which they are entitled.
5.5.5 Infrastructure
polIcy and plannIng I 125
Barrier-free environments create opportunities for users to exercise their rights, opportunities and
freedoms, to become productive members of the family and to fulfil their duties to their family and
community. The success and optimization of wheelchair provision in any country largely depend on
the environment: a barrier-free environment will benefit not only wheelchair users but also others,
especially older people. Basic aspects of the infrastructure that need to be accessible include:
• buildings, i.e. housing and public buildings providing, for example, health services, education,
employment, banking, government services and other public services;
• public transport, such as buses, trains and ferries;
• roads, streets and footpaths;
• food, water and sanitation facilities such as open-air restaurants and markets, water taps, tube
wells and toilets; and
• facilities for culture and recreation, for example stadiums, cinemas, theatres, parks, public halls
and community centres.
It is recommended that experts on wheelchair accessibility, for example users with adequate
knowledge, be represented on local, regional and national committees that determine planning
and construction. Universal design, including wheelchair access, could be included as a requirement
in university programmes for civil engineering, architecture, urban planning and design.
Box 5.8. Access for all in Sri Lanka
Fig. 5.3. Active participation
In Sri lanka, a consortium of disability organizations was formed to support a campaign to promote the inclusion and
participation of all people with disabilities in tsunami relief, reconstruction and development work. The Access for
all campaign asks for the inclusion of people with disabilities when rebuilding the nation. This means rebuilding an
accessible nation: making all public buildings, transport, places of employment, services and infrastructure accessible
to all. It also means including people with disabilities in plans for the nation.
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