Motivation Australia

Motivation Australia is a not for profit disability and development organisation that works in partnership with local organisations to enhance the quality of life of people with mobility disabilities in the Asia Pacific region.

Collaborating with WHO on training package

Friday, 21 May 2010 11:49

It is well documented that people with a disability are amongst the poorest of the poor - a situation which is compounded by the absence of appropriate wheelchairs. An appropriate wheelchair offers the disabled user greater health; increases survival rates; and provides greater opportunities for access and inclusion in community and economic life. Access to appropriate wheelchairs and the local staff trained to provide them are the two main challenges for wheelchair provision in countries with less resources.

Motivation Australia is proud to be collaborating with the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the development of a global training package aimed at teaching local staff the skills they need to provide wheelchairs.

Island perspective: wheelchair provision in Kiribati

Monday, 29 March 2010 11:11

KI_WMbeneficiary_article You are never far from the Pacific Ocean in Kiribati (pronounced Kiribas). In places the capital, South Tarawa, is only as wide as the road you're standing on (which also happens to be the only road).

Kiribati is a Micronesian nation consisting of 32 coral atolls and one island, spread over an enormous area of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Kiribati is listed as one of the Least Developed Countries by the UN. It's a fragile environment; unable to sustain much diversity of food (which leads to widespread diabetes) and extremely low lying making it one of the first nations likely to disappear when sea levels rise due to climate change.

Communication and transport are both problematic and can cause significant delays. It's also a particularly difficult environment in which to be a wheelchair user; rough and sandy ground, no accessible buildings, salt water corrosion and torrential downpours.

Motivation Australia Gifts!

Friday, 13 November 2009 11:29

Zebra Motivation Australia has a range of beautiful African inspired posters, from original artwork by paraplegic artist Filbert Mlay.

We also have available the first Motivation Cook Book - which includes more than 30 recipes gathered by Motivation staff from around the Globe. Motivation Australia has contributed to the Cook Book with some authentic Australian recipes including the iconic pavlova!

Download the order form.

Solomon Islands: Access to Mobility

Friday, 21 May 2010 11:38

SI_access_mobility_article The Solomon Islands are situated North East of Australia and made up of nearly 1,000 islands spread across thousands of kilometres of Ocean. The UN ranks the Solomon Islands on its list of Least Developed Nations. There are approximately 5,000 people who need a wheelchair in the Solomon Islands, most living in rural areas with limited access to roads. The remoteness and isolation of each island community makes the establishment of rehabilitation services for people with a disability very challenging.

In 2009 Motivation Australia established a pilot wheelchair service in the capital Honiara. In 2010 Motivation Australia will continue our successful partnership with the Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Unit of the National Rehabilitation Hospital to extend wheelchair services to five provinces. Our partners would also like to increase the focus on gender equity and explore the reasons why more men have been able to access the pilot service than women.

Building Capacity in Thailand

Friday, 26 March 2010 11:16

Motivati Rural_Home_Visit_for_Website on Australia and the Sirindhorn National Medical Rehabilitation Centre (SNMRC) are working together to enhance wheelchair provision in Thailand.

In September 2009 and February 2010, Motivation Australia ran short courses in wheelchair provision for clinical and technial staff at SNMRC. The first course focused on providing staff with skills in wheelchair assessment, prescription, assembly, fitting and providing wheelchair users with instruction in wheelchair mobility and general health care. The second course took the staff skills further, enabling them to address the needs of children and adults who require supportive seating.

Sports wheelchair a winner!

Wednesday, 19 August 2009 13:01

WM4SP_basketball_article The popular new Worldmade sports wheelchair is creating a storm in the world of wheelchair sports. Within a few months of the product being launched hundreds have already been purchased by organisations globally to promote wheelchair sports in developing countries.

Motivation Australia is supplying the wheelchair in Australia. The generic sports chair is designed for basketball and tennis but could be used for other sports as well. The product is intended for use by grassroots sports clubs to rapidly increase the number of participants in wheelchair sports. Wheelchair sports is a crucial part of peer group training.

For enquires about purchasing the Worldmade sports wheelchair, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Download the WM sports wheelchair brochure (585kb)

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