Sustainable solutions for wheelchair and seating assistive technology provision: Presenting a cosmopolitan narrative with rich pictures

In the wheelchair and seating assistive technology (WSAT) literature, sustainability concepts are beginning to emerge in relation to appropriate provision from design to follow up and management involving key stakeholder perspectives. A qualitative research design utilising a soft systems methodological framework which included organisational ethnography and critical participatory action research was chosen to study this complex system. The research process overall involved participant observation, individual interviews and a series of collaborative workshops. The process was made up of four main pillars. Pillar 2 as an example sought to understand stakeholder perspectives individually and collectively. This paper presents the first of a series of workshops which created rich pictures of wheelchair and seating provision representing collective experiences. Findings identified the complexity of the system and key areas for development to improve the flow of the overall provision. Specific concerns that were reported to exist related to individual and nationwide organisational roles, responsibilities and regulation which appeared to influence the disproportionate rhythm of the wheelchair and seating provision system. A better understanding is required to set the provision of WSAT for prioritisation at a public and policy level both nationally and internationally.