Wheelchair Users In Uk (United Kingdom) - Assignment Example

Market Research: Wheelchair Wheelchair users are obviously different people from the normal ones so definitely their needs and demands andliving style is bit different then those of normal ones. It is very important to take special care for disabled person because they can not rely on their own. WHEELCHAIR USERS IN UK (United Kingdom) We can not make an accurate guess about the statistics of wheelchair users in any country. We can just make a rough estimate of it. This can be done by conducting surveys at public level, surveys of companies like insurance companies, disabled person charity groups etc. According to one survey the estimated number of wheelchair users is as follows. Survey held by (National Prosthetic & Wheelchair Services Report=20 (1993-1996). 1.5 % total population 20,000 new users each year 28% users under 60 72% users over 60 This is the statistics which tells us that about 1.5% of the total population of UK are disabled persons who uses wheelchair. And almost near about 20,000 new users each year. Almost 28 % of the disabled people are under 60 who use wheelchair and other 72% are above 60 mostly old aged persons are included in this category. HOW THE WHEELCAHIR USER MOVE TOWARDS TOILET: It is very difficult for the wheelchair user to move towards toilet because the normal toilet seat is almost 8' lower then the seat of wheelchair. For this purpose they need any assistance to sit properly on the toilet to use it .Due to the height difference it becomes difficult for the disabled person to move their body weights up wards when transferring between the toilet and the wheelchair. But unfortunately any such equipment has not been yet designed in care of disabled people. It is complicated procedure for the wheelchair users to sit on the toilet and get back to their wheelchair. THE PRODUCT AVAILABLE IN MARKET FOR WHEELCAHIR USERS: It is well said that 'Need is the mother of invention" The main product which is available in market is Patient Transfer Device (senior design project by STEVENS) It was specially designed on demand of Dennis Finnegan (former football player) a disabled person. The design of this equipment is based on the basic requirements or needs of the wheelchair user. This product has been launched after searching market and the team found that there was no such equipment had yet been developed which could satisfy the needs of its target consumers. So STEVENS took the initiative and designed this product in care of disabled wheelchair users. COMPANIES WHICH PRODUCE TOILETS FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS: There are very few companies which are providing special designed toilets for wheelchair users. It is Niche so that's why companies ignore such area as it doesn't promise much profit. The main companies which produce toilets for handicaps are ENWARE AUSTRALIA Pty Limited ESL PRESSALIT CARE The products which are offered by ENWARE in this category are: Care kit Toilet seats Toilet support arms Toilet pan in fills The products which are offered by ESL PRESSALIT CARE are: Disabled toilet seats Disabled toilet facilities MARKET FOR THIS EQUIPMENT: The market for this equipment is very vast. Basically there are very few companies in this business as it is niche marketing. But still there is a huge demand and market for such equipment. The main target market could be Hospitals Orphanage Individuals living alone Businesses Restrooms Schools and colleges All the handicapped would prefer this equipment because there are a very few companies producing this equipment and are selling their products at high prices as there is a monopoly in the market. So there is a big market for my design as the need and demand is also very high. VOICE OF CUSTOMER: STEVENS's team conducted an interview of the disabled person named Dennis Finnegan. His friend Dan Henry searched a lot in the market for such equipment which could carry Finnegan easily on the toilet as it was really difficult for him to transfer himself onto the toilet seat. But there was no such reliable design in the market then he contacted Stevens's institute of technology in this regard and they decided to design such product which could fulfil his needs and would be based on his requirements. Finnegan has requested an eternally fixed device that he can use to lift and lower him by the 8" that detach the two seating surfaces he must transfer between. In addition, fittings, like sink, interfere with his transfer onto the toilet. He preferred to have equipment whose design would be based keeping in view these basic needs. Firstly the device should support weight of the patient and It should be parentally installed. Rotates toilet seat, smoothly, between facing forward and facing at 45 degree angle for patient to get on/off. It should be reliable and durable. Easily reachable Power Supply. Easy to clean Could be easily maintained affordable So these were those few demands and needs for the customer regarding this equipment. Work cited Enware Australia Pty Limited: http://www.enware.com.au/Home/default.aspx ESL PRESSALIT CARE PLC POTTS MARSH INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, EASTBOURNE ROAD, PEVENSEY WESTHAM, EAST SUSSEX BN24 : http://www.bpindex.co.uk National Prosthetic & Wheelchair Services Report=20 (1993-1996). STEVEN Institute of technology: http://itsrv112.soe.stevens-tech.edu/fileadmin/me/senior_design/2005/group03/intro.html Patient cantered guides, question answers and experiences shared: http://www.patientcenters.com/ Universal toilet concept; http://dvice.com/archives/2007/09/universal_toilet_concept_could.php IEEE xplore: http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/Xplore/login.jspurl=/iel5/9794/30880/01431943.pdfarnumber=1431943 Read More