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For many individuals, a wheelchair is not just a tool for transportation, it is their primary seat, their office, their relaxation space, and their interface with the world. When a person spends the majority of their waking hours in a seated position, conventional wheelchairs often fail to provide the necessary support for long-term health and comfort. This is where the tilt-in-space wheelchair becomes a transformative solution. By allowing the entire seating system to reorie

In a world increasingly interconnected, it’s a sad reality that access to essential products often remains uneven, particularly when it comes to medical devices. For millions of people living in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), the journey towards independence and participation can be hampered not just by a lack of resources, but by a stark global disparity in the quality and availability of assistive technology. We’ve all seen it: a company sells a premium product in

In honor of World Assistive Technology Day, we shine a light on two passionate changemakers whose vision and commitment are redefining what is possible for people with disabilities across the globe. A Vision Rooted in Purpose For Keoke King and Dave Calver, co-founders of Participant Assistive Products, assistive technology isn’t just a product category, it’s a personal mission. It’s a way to ensure dignity, independence, and inclusion for people who have been left out for f

The cost of inaccessibility is more than just money. It’s the missed opportunities, the isolation, the pain, and the loss of dignity that comes from being without a wheelchair when you truly need one. For millions of people around the world, especially in low- and middle-income countries, the simple fact of not having a wheelchair affects every part of life, from health to education, from family relationships to economic independence. In this article, we will take a closer lo

When choosing a wheelchair, it’s tempting to think that any model will do the job. After all, they all provide mobility, right? But in reality, selecting the wrong wheelchair, especially for outdoor use, can significantly reduce your independence, safety, and quality of life. Many people unknowingly purchase chairs that aren’t built for outdoor terrain, leading to frustration, discomfort, and even injury. Let’s break down why using an indoor (or transport) wheelchair outside

When it comes to wheelchair design and the comfort of those who use them, the footrest is often an overlooked but crucial element. For persons with disabilities, particularly children, the footrest plays a significant role in ensuring both comfort and long-term health. Whether you are using a wheelchair temporarily or permanently, the footrest is vital in preventing a wide range of complications and promoting overall well-being. When this part of the wheelchair does not fit p

Wheelchair innovations around the world are changing people’s lives. And, this is exciting to see. Recent advancements in wheelchair design are improving mobility and independence and also changing how society perceives persons with disabilities. Wheelchairs are innovative inventions to help persons with disabilities regain independence and mobility access. Research organizations are developing advanced technologies that will change how wheelchairs are utilized. As a result,

For more than forty years, Erik Kondo has dedicated himself to improving personal mobility for himself and for others using manual wheelchairs. His journey began in 1984 when he became a wheelchair user, igniting a lifelong commitment to advocate for innovative and adaptable wheelchair solutions. Through his experience, Kondo has championed an important mission: wheelchairs should not be seen merely as medical equipment but as essential tools for enabling independence and mob

This initiative is a systemic disruption of the Assistive Technology (AT) market which will allow a leap forward in the quality of care available to children and adults. By leveraging the harmonized logistics of the European Single Market and the digital scalability of AI-driven clinical support, we are bridging the wide gap between cheap disposable AT, like pharmacy crutches, and shockingly high cost AT procured by wealthy governments. Participant, a Benefit Corporation, is

For anyone, a visit to see the doctor can be overwhelming. All the information is a real challenge to remember. On top of that, imagine the visit is for your child who has a rare disease, needs frequent and complicated care, and the doctor is quite far away. These are just some of the challenges that children and caregivers face with Cerebral Palsy and other mobility limiting disabilities. On top of that, if the child is provided a wheelchair, the maintenance can become a hea