Free Wheelchair Mission & Invacare

Free Wheelchair Mission and Invacare
From left to right: Geoff Purtill, President and CEO of Invacare; Elgad, a wheelchair recipient from the Dominican Republic; and Nuka Hart, CEO of Free Wheelchair Mission.

Partnering to provide mobility to people in need

There are 80 million people worldwide who need a wheelchair, and too many of them live in under-resourced nations where access to this essential mobility aid is out of reach. As a result, they suffer from isolation and limited opportunities. Invacare is committed to changing this reality, which is why we have partnered with Free Wheelchair Mission to support these individuals.

At Invacare, our primary mission is to improve the quality of life and "Make Life's Experiences Possible" for people with mobility challenges. But being a leader in our industry is not just about generating revenue, it’s also about taking social responsibility and making a meaningful impact. That’s why we are proud to support Free Wheelchair Mission in helping those most in need around the world.

Free Wheelchair Mission is a humanitarian non-profit organization that designs and manufactures wheelchairs at no charge for people with disabilities living in under-resourced nations. Since its founding in 2001, the organization has distributed more than 1.5 million wheelchairs, with a goal to provide three million by 2035. At Invacare, we are eager to support this ambitious mission in every way we can.

As part of our collaboration with Free Wheelchair Mission, Invacare leverages its expertise and resources to enhance their efforts in key areas. We share knowledge in product development to ensure that wheelchairs are not only accessible but also safe and durable. Our experience with wheelchair health and safety standards helps Free Wheelchair Mission improve the quality of the wheelchairs they distribute.

Over the past few years, Invacare has worked closely with Free Wheelchair Mission to develop their new GEN 4 JOY wheelchair. Foldable and available in more sizes, this cost-effective wheelchair helps bring the gift of mobility to more people, giving them greater independence, dignity, and a full life. The GEN 4 JOY wheelchair has also been recognised for its innovation, receiving a Silver Anthem Award 2025. This milestone reflects the hard work and cooperation behind our partnership and demonstrates the tangible impact of combining expertise with humanitarian vision.

In addition to product development, since 2024, Invacare has been raising funds through the Move for Mobility initiative. This annual global fundraiser invites Invacare employees and partners worldwide to get moving during the month of May, raising awareness and funds for people in developing countries who lack access to a wheelchair. The initiative has been recognised with multiple awards:

  • 2024 Anthem Awards Community Voice

  • 2024 Anthem Awards Gold

  • 2024 Web Award in Medical Standard of Excellence and Non-Profit Standard of Excellence categories

Watch the video to find out more about our partnership.

To learn more about Free Wheelchair Mission and how you can help, visit: www.freewheelchairmission.org

 

Free Wheelchair Mission and Invacare