Expanding Access to Training: Hybrid training course for trainers to increase the provision of appropriate manual wheelchair services in the Dominican Republic

Since 2012, the WHO has published a series of open-access training packages to support the capacity building of wheelchair personnel and services around the world. These training packages are intended to be delivered in-person by experienced trainers. As an alternative training approach, in 2016, ISWP developed a hybrid course based on the WHO Wheelchair Service Training Package – Basic Level. It was pilot tested in 4 countries, and based on the positive feedback, ISWP developed several other online courses. The hybrid methodology uses a combination of self-paced online modules, live video conference meetings, and in-person sessions. It reduces the in-person training requirement, making it easier to scale and more adaptable to different training environments such as conferences and continuing education programs at universities. The hybrid training of trainers’ course in the Dominican Republic consisted of both synchronous (e.g., instantaneous exchange of information, webinars & live Q&A chats) and asynchronous activities (e.g., information sharing that is not live or instantaneous, email exchanges, discussion board & training modules). In week 1, participants engaged in an orientation session, completed the first half of the online modules and also attended recitations with the facilitators which were held online by video conference. In week 2, participants continued to complete the second half of the online modules and participated in another recitation. The online content was presented in such a way that each participant had to dedicate between 4-6 hours of individual study each week, including participation in a 90-minute video conference for recitations. In the final week, the in-person content was taught over two days virtually by the facilitators.