Wheelchair Market Shaping

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What was the recommendation made by the community regarding wheelchairs in Less Resourced Settings (LRS)?

The community recommended that more rigorous standards be developed for wheelchairs in LRS.

What document was developed and published by ISWP to guide product design for wheelchairs in adverse conditions?

Design Considerations for Wheelchairs Used in Adverse Conditions

What is the purpose of the ISOPlus developed by ISWP?

The ISOPlus is used to test casters, rolling resistance, and corrosion for adverse conditions.

Why has the acceptance and adoption of guidelines for LRS products been limited?

Different interpretations of minimum quality standards have led to a spectrum of products with varying degrees of quality considerations. Signup and view all the answers

Which organization has developed its own Product Assessment Tool for wheelchairs?

Motivation has developed its own Product Assessment Tool in collaboration with Humanity and Inclusion (HI) and APDK. Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of having different quality standards for wheelchairs in LRS?

It limits the visibility to suppliers on what is appropriate for LRS. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor considered when wheelchairs are tendered for at the country or regional level?

Cost Signup and view all the answers

What challenge arises from the fragmentation of procurement and distribution across different ministries?

No single ministry having complete oversight on procurement and provision Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of different ministries having differing levels of infrastructure or human resources to deliver and maintain wheelchairs?

Some ministries lack the supply chain or logistics capacity to effectively deliver products appropriately Signup and view all the answers

Why do primary global manufacturers have limited interest in LMIC markets?

Low and erratic funding and demand, reliance on a poorly developed distributor network, and need to develop products with specific design features for use in LRS Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of different ministries having differing mandates on the population served?

Some populations are left behind Signup and view all the answers

What role do NGOs play in filling the gap in wheelchair provision in LMICs?

Design, produce, and provide wheelchairs that are appropriate for use in LRS Signup and view all the answers

Where is the majority of lower-cost wheelchair assembly taking place, and where are high-end wheelchairs commonly assembled?

Most assembly of lower-cost wheelchairs happens in China, while more expensive, high-end products are commonly assembled in Europe or North America. Signup and view all the answers

What approach have numerous NGOs and FBOs developed for assembling wheelchairs in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs)?

Localized assembly of wheelchairs in LMICs. Signup and view all the answers

What is one way that FWM achieves maximum efficiency in shipping logistics?

By boxing components separately, which represents maximum efficiency in shipping logistics. Signup and view all the answers

What are two downsides of the FWM model?

<ol> <li>Assembly cost at the factory may or may not be significantly reduced, and 2) mass assembly of many wheelchairs requires immediate distribution of many wheelchairs or significant local warehouse capacity.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of high-volume production in the FWM model?

It helps keep the cost of the product to a minimum. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the product after it is locally assembled?

The local dealer profiles the wheelchair to the patient, and the patient provides feedback if adjustments are required. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of ATscale, the Global Partnership for AT, and by when does it aim to achieve this goal?

To catalyse action to ensure that 500 million more people globally are reached with life-changing AT by 2030. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two primary approaches to market shaping, as outlined in Figure 1, and what do they involve?

The two primary approaches are demand-side engagement and supply-side engagement. Demand-side engagement involves working with governments, DPOs, CSOs, and others to build and consolidate demand, enhance coordination, and strengthen procurement processes. Supply-side engagement involves working with manufacturers and suppliers to enhance competition, reduce production costs, and improve quality standards. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of ATscale's unified strategy for achieving its goal of increasing access to Assistive Technology?

The unified strategy enables global stakeholders to develop an enabling environment for access to AT and shape markets to overcome supply- and demand-side barriers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of ATscale's interventions in terms of priority products, and what is the purpose of this prioritization?

ATscale has prioritized five priority products to identify interventions needed to overcome supply- and demand-side barriers. The purpose of this prioritization is to address the most critical gaps in the market and ensure that the most impactful products are available to those who need them. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of governments, DPOs, CSOs, and others in demand-side engagement, and what are the expected outcomes of this engagement?

These stakeholders work with ATscale to build and consolidate demand, enhance coordination, and strengthen procurement processes, with the expected outcomes of improved financing and service delivery, and accelerated entry and uptake of new and better products. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of improving financing and service delivery in the context of ATscale's goal of increasing access to Assistive Technology?

Improving financing and service delivery is critical to ensuring that people with disabilities and older adults have access to the Assistive Technology they need to live independently and participate fully in their communities. Signup and view all the answers

What are the consequences of purchasing transport-type wheelchairs for long-term users, and how do they impact the public system?

The consequences of purchasing transport-type wheelchairs for long-term users are that lower quality chairs have a short life span and can increase long-term costs to the public system. Signup and view all the answers

Why do many people who need a wheelchair struggle to afford even low-cost options, and what are the implications for out-of-pocket payments?

Many people who need a wheelchair struggle to afford even low-cost options because they are priced above their ability to pay, resulting in limited or non-existent out-of-pocket payments, especially among the poorest. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of requiring small user contributions from wheelchair recipients, and what are the potential benefits of this approach?

The purpose of requiring small user contributions is to gain user buy-in to the maintenance of the product and to increase user engagement. Signup and view all the answers

What is the current state of consensus on preferred product classes and quality standards for wheelchairs in LRS environments?

There is limited consensus on a range of preferred product classes and no commonly accepted objective measure of what is an appropriate wheelchair. Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of NGOs and FBOs designing and manufacturing their own range of wheelchairs, and how does it relate to financing, procurement, and product design?

The impact of NGOs and FBOs designing and manufacturing their own range of wheelchairs is that it contributes to fragmentation in financing, procurement, and product design. Signup and view all the answers

What are the limitations of existing tools developed to assess the quality of wheelchairs, and why is their acceptance and adoption limited?

Some organisations have developed tools to assess quality, but acceptance and adoption are limited. Signup and view all the answers