The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games has a record variety of broadcasters. 160 countries and territories. Viewership figures are expected to top the Tokyo 2020 Games, which were shown in 154 countries and attracted 4.1 billion viewers, half the worldwide population.
The growing popularity of disability sports is a strong tool for empowerment. With 22 sports showcased Summer Paralympic ProgramThe ceremony is a vital step towards motivation 1.3 billion people Around the world that suffer from a major disability.
Along with popular athletics and water-based sports, there are several. Very busy Wheelchair sports, similar to rugby and basketball.
But the sad fact is that many 80 million wheelchairs Consumers worldwide won’t ever have the chance to play these games – mainly due to the associated fee of wheelchairs.
within the UK, Sports wheelchairs Starts at around £500, rising to 1000’s of kilos. With such prohibitive costs, it is maybe not surprising that there are individuals with disabilities. Likely twice Non-joining of a sports or exercise club against individuals with disabilities – Reducing personal fitness And Social benefits Being a part of a sports team.
Innovation for inclusion
My research sought to beat this problem by developing an inexpensive plastic wheelchair for primary school children. The design is lightweight, durable and reasonably priced.
T. Whitehead
Innovations in wheelchair design can provide an economical way into the game. For example, schools usually tend to find a way to have classroom seats within the closet, allowing for wider participation in wheelchair sports.
In addition to reasonably priced entry-level seats, advances in additive manufacturing or 3D printing – a process during which a digital file is used to create a three-dimensional solid object – could also play a task in the long run at the best level of sports competition. will I actually have seen it. Team GB Olympic Track Bikewhich has various 3D printed parts (crank, seatstay bridge and dropout). My research investigates ways during which this technology will be adopted and utilized in the design and manufacture of wheelchairs.
This means you’ll be able to design a particular wheelchair for an athlete, bearing in mind the perfect fit, size, weight and regulation. Then, as an alternative of shipping the wheelchair all over the world, it could be printed on site. Spare parts may also be printed if needed.
To exhibit how this might work, my research team 3D printed a bespoke child's wheelchair from metal. The design optimized using materials while maintaining strength and impact resistance.
T. Whitehead
T. Whitehead
Bespoke wheelchair design could be a game-changer for consumers, not only at the best levels of competition, but in addition for on a regular basis users who often Insufficient chairs To meet their needs. A secondary profit could be a discount in need. Worldwide shipping and the associated carbon footprint.
There is room for technological innovation to enhance the experience of wheelchair sports on the entry level and at the best levels. But beyond chair design, there must be higher access to those games in schools as a part of the curriculum.
New guidance For schools published in March 2024 highlighted examples of colleges where staff be certain that pupils with special education needs and disabilities can participate in PE. For example, purchasing equipment for accessible activities similar to The bowl And Round ball Allowing pupils with disabilities, similar to muscular dystrophy and Down syndrome, to participate at school sports.
There are some excellent examples of colleges, colleges and other providers involved in wheelchair sports. But wouldn't or not it’s great if all children had equal access to sport, with all its advantages?
After watching a wheelchair rugby or basketball match in Paris this summer, children with disabilities should find a way to experience sports for themselves. Inexpensive sports wheelchairs may also help do that.