Wheels for Humanity: Wheelchair Accessibility Spotlight

Image source http://www.ucpwfh.org/

Over the past few years, great strides have been made in research funding, community resources and wheelchair accessibility for those who have physical handicaps, especially across North America.

Though mobility impairment can make certain aspects of life difficult, it is encouraging to see that times are changing and consideration is growing! Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for many developing nations.

Mobility Options in Third World Countries

Third world countries might not only lack the means to provide handicapped people mobility options, but factors such as war, disease and natural disasters might also increase the frequency of it. Many people in these countries may never get help either because they cannot afford it or because it simply is not available.

In these places where a wheelchair is considered a luxury few can afford, physically handicapped people have to rely on family members or friends to carry them.

Improving Quality of Life for the Physically Disabled

This lack of freedom and independence is heartbreaking, so organizations like “Wheels for Humanity” step in and make a difference by improving the quality of life!  Wheels for Humanity is a non-profit humanitarian organization based in California that refurbishes donated wheelchairs and sends them overseas to communities where such mobility options are hard to get hold of.

The wheelchairs are given to both adults and children whose needs are the greatest. Wheels for Humanity works closely with volunteer health care professionals and international health care organizations to connect with the handicap community and provide each person the sort of wheelchair that would best fit their requirements.

Since it start in 1996, Wheels for Humanity [http://www.ucpwfh.org/] has provided wheelchairs for over 50,000 mobility impaired people in 68 developing nations. This organization and the generous supporters who have donated wheelchairs and resources are great examples of people changing the world. We all have people like that in our lives, whether they are operating on an international scale or the live in your home with you!

During Share Your Story September, tell us about them! We’d love to hear your story and see if there is any way we can help meet your needs!