Abstract
Personal, Public, Political Discourse Illuminating Context Specific Experiences Enabling and Depriving Individuals as Wheelchair Users in the Republic of Ireland: Appropriate Wheelchairs a GlobalChallenge
Technology and Disability, Vol.31(Supplement 1), pp.S25-S26
International Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe (AAATE):Global Challenges in Assistive Technology Research, Policy & Practice, 15th (Bologna, Italy, 27-Aug-2019–30-Aug-2019)
2019
Abstract
Background: Providing an appropriate wheelchair is complex and challenging due to diversity of people, places, provision processes, personnel, procurement and the existence of relevant policies. An inappropriate wheelchair can impact severely on a person’s health and wellbeing. The importance of developing sustainable wheelchair services continues to be undervalued. This paper illuminates the perspectives and experiences of wheelchair users in Ireland, reflecting personal, public and political discourse since the introduction of the WHO guidelines on the provision of manual wheelchairs in less resourced settings in 2008.
Method: Mixed methods were used: National online survey using SurveyMonkeyTM, exploring wheelchair service user’s experiences and level of satisfaction with wheelchair and seating provision in the Republic of Ireland. Individual semi-structure interviews exploring wheelchair service user’s personal perspectives. Scoping review exploring the public and political discourse on wheelchair provision in the Republic of Ireland from 2008–2018.
Key results: Survey results (n = 273) show high weightings of satisfaction across the service delivery process, yet 38% of respondents (n = 105, 38.5%) did not feel their wheelchair meet their needs. Results indicate ad hoc waiting times and funding streams, with a lack of uniformity at each stage of the process. Over 30% of respondents reported receiving little or no ed-ucation and training skills. Follow up within the first six months of receiving their wheelchair product was limited (21% n = 48, of respondents n = 228); with only 41% (n = 95) needing wheelchair repairs satisfied with this service. Individual interviews (n = 18) reflect similar disparity. The importance and embodied nature of the wheelchair was clear, with poorly
prescribed wheelchairs affecting a person’s life, their physical (pressure injuries), mental (vulnerability and underlying fear) and social (engaging in the community) health. The experience of service delivery was influenced both positively and negatively by a person’s relationship with personnel, including occupational therapists and sales/ vendor representatives, disputing the client centered nature of interactions and outcomes. The provision system was hard to navigate with a continuous fight to get the right wheelchair and follow up services to support this. The Scoping review indicates a challenged wheelchair service within the public and political domain, highlighted in scientific published (n = 3), unpublished (n = 2) papers, questions to Minister of Health (n =22) and newspaper articles (n = 21). Four themes emerged: personal lived experience of wheelchair users and their families, with stories relating to children predominant; political discourse reporting constraints within the system and a call for national policy; provision system processes were poor, with wait times having an overwhelming effect on individuals; and place highlights inconstancies across the country, with Dublin, Cork and Limerick reported on most frequently.
Conclusion: The significance of a wheelchair in person’s life cannot be denied, yet there is a lack of clear transparent pathways, protocols and policy for wheelchair service provision to meet individual needs. Disparity exists throughout the wheelchair provision process, with many clients left waiting or fighting for their wheelchair. This work strengthens the call for a national review of wheelchair services in Ireland, with government commitment towards sustainable development as a matter of urgency.
Details
- Title
- Personal, Public, Political Discourse Illuminating Context Specific Experiences Enabling and Depriving Individuals as Wheelchair Users in the Republic of Ireland: Appropriate Wheelchairs a GlobalChallenge
- Authors
- Rosie J Gowran (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Sport Sciences - LegacyAmanda Clifford (Author) - University of LimerickKsenia Cheban (Author) - University of LimerickAmy Darcy (Author) - University of LimerickAndrea Gallagher (Author) - University of Limerick
- Contributors
- Lorenzo Desideri (Editor) - AIAS BolognaLuc de Witte (Editor) - University of SheffieldRabih Chattat (Editor) - University of BolognaEvert-Jan Hoogerwerf (Editor) - AIAS Bologna
- Publication details
- Technology and Disability, Vol.31(Supplement 1), pp.S25-S26
- Conference details
- International Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe (AAATE):Global Challenges in Assistive Technology Research, Policy & Practice, 15th (Bologna, Italy, 27-Aug-2019–30-Aug-2019)
- Publisher
- IOS Press
- Date published
- 2019
- DOI
- 10.3233/TAD-190004
- ISSN
- 1055-4181; 1878-643X; 1055-4181
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99513786902621
- Output Type
- Abstract
Metrics
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