The International Society of Wheelchair Professionals (ISWP) is calling for support following a USAID funding freeze by the Trump administration.
“We need your support,” an ISWP LinkedIn post said on April 15. “Due to changes in U.S. foreign aid funding, our major source of revenue from a grant has been unexpectedly terminated, putting our mission at risk. Now, more than ever, we need our community to come together. Let’s contribute to appropriate wheelchair provision for those who need them most.”
The ISWP said stakeholders could help by renewing their memberships, supporting ISWP wheelchair service Basic Certification, and donating to sustain ISWP programs. In an April 17 social media post, ISWP thanked the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Rehabilitation Science & Technology “for their generous donation.”
The University of Pittsburgh’s Rehabilitation Science & Technology Continuing Education hosted the International Seating Symposium (ISS) last month. Department Chair Jon Pearlman mentioned ISWP’s loss of funding as he welcomed ISS attendees to the opening morning of the conference.
“This is one of the most challenging times for ISWP,” said Executive Director Alex Kamadu in an April 15 social media post. “But let’s be clear: The International Society of Wheelchair Professionals is resilient and will weather the storm! We are calling on our community to support our mission and ultimately improve the quality of lives of #peoplewithdisabilities.”
Founded in 2015, the ISWP’s mission is “to address the global need for appropriate wheelchairs and related services. With over 80 million people worldwide requiring wheelchairs for mobility and function, many still lack access to suitable equipment and support.”
The organization professionalizes wheelchair services on a global scale “by promoting the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on providing manual wheelchairs in less-resourced settings, implementing the WHO Wheelchair Provision Guidelines, advancing training and research initiatives, improving wheelchair design and manufacturing, and coordinating services.”
The ISWP certified 182 wheelchair professionals in Egypt, Kenya, Ukraine and Zimbabwe in the first quarter of 2025.
