Current state of mobility technology provision in less-resourced countries.
This article reviews mobility technology in less-resourced countries, with reference to people with disabilities in several locations, and describes technology provision to date. It also discusses a recent collaborative study between a United States University and an Indian spinal injuries hospital of Indian wheelchair users' community participation, satisfaction, and wheelchair skills. The data suggest that individuals who received technology from the hospital's assistive technology department experienced increased community participation and improved wheelchair skills. This evidence may have already enabled the hospital to improve Indian governmental policies toward people with disabilities, and it is hoped that future research will benefit other people similarly.
Jefferds
Alexandra N
AN
Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, 7180 Highland Drive, Building 4, 2nd Floor, 151R1-H, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA.
Beyene
Nahom M
NM
Upadhyay
Nekram
N
Shoker
Puneet
P
Pearlman
Jonathan L
JL
Cooper
Rory A
RA
Wee
Joy
J
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D003906:Developing Countries; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000191:economics*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012656:Self-Help Devices / Q000191:economics*; D014910:Wheelchairs / Q000191:economics