The Design Considerations document was created to guide wheelchair designers, manufacturers, providers, users and their caregivers on design considerations for wheelchairs used in adverse environments, especially those encountered in less-resourced areas. The need for this document was identified as a high priority by the Standards Working Group (SWG) of the International Society for Wheelchair Professionals. The SWG noted that the WHO Guidelines on the Provision of Manual Wheelchairs for Less Resourced Settings provided the general guidance for the design and production of appropriate wheelchairs but lacked detailed information stakeholders need to avoid the common pitfalls for designing wheelchairs where resources are limited and conditions are adverse. A subcommittee of the SWG was formed to draft the document, and the SWG and external reviewers provided feedback remotely and during an in-person meeting hosted by UCP Wheels for Humanity in 2016.

Here you can find additional resources regarding wheelchair design:

Wheelchair Design Considerations

ATscale – Wheelchair Product Narrative: A Market Landscape and Strategic Approach to Increasing Access to Wheelchairs and Related Services in Low and Middle-Income Countries

Sustainable and equitable provision of wheelchairs in low- and middle-income countries: an economic assessment of the models for wheelchair provision in Tajikistan

WHO Guidelines on the provision of manual wheelchairs in less-resourced settings