Types of wheelchairs offered by ADRF
- Standard type wheelchair
- Active style wheelchairs
- All-terrain wheelchairs (wheelchairs that are suitable for difficult terrain)
- Special wheelchairs
Characteristics of Wheelchair Delivery Service.
ADRF staff assisted by the international experts over the years has provided specialized wheelchair delivery service for individuals in need. This means that the wheelchair delivery service for individuals with disabilities has been accompanied by individualized assessments as well as other support services to adapt this equipment according to the specific needs of the disabled user. The equipment with wheelchairs does not simply mean the delivery of the mobility mean to the beneficiary but it represents a service, the delivery process of which must necessarily undergo through several steps for the beneficiary to finally be equipped with the wheelchair as per his/her physical and health status. Wheelchair delivery service comprises of the following steps: (1) Referral and appointment; (2) Evaluation; (3) Description/design of the wheelchair (choice); (4) Financing and order; (5) Product preparation;(6) Adaptation;(7) User training;(8) Further follow-up, maintenance and repair. The wheelchair delivery service is based on the standards approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) for this service. This organization, in cooperation with other partners, has drafted and approved the guidelines “On the provision of wheelchairs in countries with limited resources” (WHO, 2008). The guide is designed to help all stakeholders responsible for policy-making as well as those responsible for providing wheelchair delivery services to provide a sustainable and quality service for individuals with disabilities. This document, with the approval of the WHO, has been translated and published in Albanian by ADRF.
Beneficiaries of Wheelchair Delivery Service and Referral Mechanism
In addition to people with mobility difficulties at birth, who are regular beneficiaries of wheelchairs, other individuals who need to be equipped with this tool are those who become disabled due to factors such as; diseases, accidents or ageing.
The needs for mobility means, are identified through; interested clients (individuals with disabilities, their families); NGOs working in the disability sector, other organizations working in the community. The main and official source where the ADRF receives continuous information on persons with disabilities in need of wheelchairs is the Regional Offices of the State Social Services throughout the country. ADRF cooperates with these offices both for the identification of needs and for the organization of their distribution to the most vulnerable individuals.