FORT MYERS, Florida—Merits Health Products has announced the restart of production and global distribution of the Motivation wheelchair product range, restoring access to mobility solutions relied upon by rehabilitation providers, humanitarian organizations and adaptive sports programs around the world.
In March 2026, Merits Health Products—Motivation’s exclusive manufacturing partner for the past 25 years—reached an agreement to resume production and ensure continued global access to the product line.
“It’s a natural fit for Merits,” said Jonathan Cheng, president of Merits Health Products Co., LTD. “Our ambition is always to create best-in-class products with optimal functionality for the people who rely on them and the services that support them. The Motivation brand aligns perfectly with that mission.”
For more than three decades, Motivation Charitable Trust has worked toward advancing appropriate wheelchair provision for people living in low-resource regions. The organization helped shape global best practices by consulting with the World Health Organization (WHO) on wheelchair provision guidelines, designing durable wheelchairs capable of navigating rough terrain and developing entry-level sports wheelchairs that expand access to adaptive athletics.
Over the past decade, Motivation intentionally decentralized its operations, shifting resources and leadership closer to the communities it serves. Regional teams in Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, India and neighboring countries now lead much of the work in areas where access to appropriate wheelchairs can be as low as 10%.
However, increasing financial pressures, including reductions in international aid funding and challenging fundraising conditions—led to the closure of Motivation’s UK operations in late 2025. While Motivation’s programs in Africa and Asia continue, the closure halted production and supply of the organization’s wheelchairs, seating systems, trikes, sports equipment and replacement parts used by aid organizations and rehabilitation providers worldwide.