WheelMate™ wins the heart of users and gets international recognition

WheelMate, a Coloplast service that helps wheelchair users find accessible toilets and parking, was recently awarded a shared first place and a Finalist Certificate in the Global Awards, an international advertisement competition.

On 6 December 2012, Coloplast’s WheelMate service won a shared first place for “Communication to the Consumer - Social Commitment” in the category “Mobile Media” and received a Finalist Certificate at the Global Awards in New York.

WheelMate enables people to find and share information about wheelchair friendly toilets and accessible parking spaces. It’s available as a free smartphone app for iPhone and Android and also has a webpage.
“We developed WheelMate as a service for people who rely on accessible toilets every day, but who often have a very difficult time finding them when out and about, says Kevin J. Robinson, Vice President of Coloplast Continence Care. 
“We are very proud of the recognition from the Global Awards. Still, the real measure of success is the strong recognition we are getting from the users. WheelMate really helps them to plan their trips outside of home and get on with living – and that is the best compliment we can get.”

 

User involvement a key ingredient

WheelMate is an example of how new technology can make a big difference by addressing the specific needs of people.
“We strive to make life easier for people with intimate healthcare issues, in every way we can. So, in addition to our innovative products, we also offer services that address their needs. That’s why we’ve developed this app for the wheelchair community, for them to create and develop their own database of accessible toilets and parking,” Kevin J. Robinson.
More than 7,600 people have downloaded the WheelMate app and the service now contains over 31,000 accessible toilet and parking locations globally.

 

BACKGROUND

 

WheelMate™

The number of accessible toilets and parking spaces per country (approximate numbers; 11 December 2012):

• Austria 7,200
• UK: 6,400
• Germany: 3,400
• Belgium: 3,400
• USA: 3,300
• Spain: 2,600

All people who need to use handicap toilets can use WheelMate ­­– no matter what disability they may have. Also healthcare professionals, personal helpers or family may find it helpful. It’s available in all countries, so you share information wherever you are.

Coloplast worked together with the advertisement agency Advance to develop WheelMate.

 

The Global Awards

The Global Awards are the only advertising awards dedicated to excellence in healthcare communications on an international basis. The competition receives entries from healthcare corporations, hospitals and education groups as well as from advertising agencies, design studios and production companies.