Wheelchair Alliance Innovation SIG brings sector together to drive positive change
The Wheelchair Alliance, an organisation which champions the needs of wheelchair users across the UK, has held the latest meeting of its Special Interest Group (SIG) for Innovation at the Etac Group offices in Hartlebury, bringing stakeholders together to explore how innovation can help improve wheelchair provision.
For the first time, the Innovation SIG brought together representatives from across manufacturing, the NHS, charities, retail and service providers, with further organisations already committed to joining future meetings.
Attendees took part in a wide-ranging discussion about innovation, including what it means for the wheelchair sector, the barriers that can slow progress, and the opportunities to make innovative products, processes, training and ideas more widely understood, adopted and implemented.
The group also explored potential projects that could bring greater focus and momentum to this work, with the aim of turning shared ambition into practical action for wheelchair users, services and the wider sector.
The Wheelchair Alliance said the level of enthusiasm shown by those attending both in person and online demonstrated a strong appetite for collaboration and positive change.
While there is still significant work to be done, the organisation described the meeting as an important step forward for wheelchair provision and a reflection of the Alliance’s wider purpose: acting as a conduit for the sector, bringing people together, focusing attention on key issues and opportunities, and helping to drive lasting positive change.
More information about the Wheelchair Alliance’s Special Interest Group for Innovation is available here
The Wheelchair Alliance also launched the Wheelchair Alliance Academy, an online hub designed to bring together trusted information, practical tools and expert resources for wheelchair users, commissioners and providers.
