ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the differences between developing countries and those developed countries with which most of the Conference delegates or readers of the proceedings will be familiar. There is little information on the number of disabled people in many developing countries, and there is little need for it except in rare cases where benefits or assistance is provided by the state. Most developing countries have transport systems which are deficient for the needs for all people and for the carriage of goods. Visitors to developing countries are often struck by the sight of disabled people wheeling themselves in homemade carts or on low “skateboards”. Mobility aids are not only in short supply, they are frequently inappropriate in design for the person or the local conditions, and are often relatively very expensive. Some governments supply aids, some only do so in special cases, some do not do so at all.
