1.3 Statistical Report
- India has about 20 million people with disabilities, of which 11 million are victims of locomotive disability.
- 1046 per 100000 people in the rural areas and 901 per 100000 people in the urban population.
Table 1: Classification, Growth Rate and Cost of Wheelchairs
| Type of Wheelchair | Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Manual Wheelchair | 10% by 2015 | Rs. 3500 |
| Motorized Wheelchair | 5% by 2015 | Rs. 2,00,000 – Rs. 8,00,000 |
Currently in India both manual wheelchairs and motorized wheelchairs are sold. Manual wheelchairs are mainly used by low income group disabled persons. These are also used by institutions like hospitals, airports, railways stations etc. to transport elderly and locomotion disabled people. The starting cost of a manual wheelchair is around Rs.3500. Low cost, and adaptability to Indian terrain are the main reasons for preference of manual wheelchairs.
Motorized wheelchairs involve automation, primarily in terms of mobility. Thus they are electrically powered. However, the usage is limited due to high costs. An automated wheelchair can cost anywhere between Rs.2 Lakhs to Rs.8 Lakhs. Poor access and lack of awareness in India also limit the usage. Also, Indian terrain is not suitable for automated wheelchairs and there may be chances of accidents due to bumps, collisions etc. The market for these wheelchairs largely remains a metro or Tier-I market and it will take time before these automated wheelchairs find their way into rural parts of India. Customization is the key to usability of automated wheelchairs by the patients. However, there are few organizations which are engaged in customization in India.
Table 2: Current electric powered wheelchair usage and trends
| Current electric powered wheelchair usage and trending | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightweight Indoor Use | Indoor Use and Light Outdoor Use | Active Indoor and Outdoor Use | Electric Powered Scooter | Bariatric | Standing | PAPAW | Specialized Seating | |
| Current Number | 50,000 | 100,000 | 100,000 | 350,000 | 10,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 | 50,000 |
| Trend | Level | Slow Growth | Moderate Growth | Moderate Growth | Rapid Growth | Slow Growth | Rapid Growth | Rapid Growth |
The various types of electric powered wheelchairs mentioned in the above table are discussed in detail as follows:
- Lightweight Indoor Use - Electric powered wheelchairs designed for primarily for indoor use (e.g., home, assisted living facility). The growth trend is level, and the current number is approximately 50,000 wheelchairs
- Indoor Use and Light Outdoor Use - Electric powered wheelchair designed for both indoor and outdoor use in ADA environments in good weather. This category shows slow growth and the current number of lightweight wheelchairs is 1,00,000.
- Active Indoor and Outdoor Use - Electric powered wheelchair designed for daily use in both indoor and outdoor environments in all kinds of weather. Such wheelchairs show moderate growth and the current number is 1,00,000.
- Electric Powered Scooter - Three or four wheeled tiller steered electric powered vehicle with a captains style seat intended to provide mobility to an individual with a disability. This kind shows moderate growth and the current number is 3,50,000
- Bariatric - An electric powered wheelchair intended to be used by individuals with a body mass in excess of 250 pounds. The current number is only 10,000 but this type of wheelchair shows a very rapid growth.
- Standing - An electric powered wheelchair that holds the occupant in the standing position. The growth trend is slow and the current number is 5,000.
- PAPAW – Expanded as Pushrim Activated Power Assisted Wheelchair, the current number is only 5000 but this type of wheelchair shows a very rapid growth.
- Specialized Seating - An electric powered wheelchair that includes power seat functions. This type shows rapid growth and the current number is 50,000.