Our Mission

Our Purpose

"Every person deserves the right to stand — physically, socially, and in the world."

The Right to Stand was founded on the belief that the ability to stand upright is not a luxury — it is a human right. We exist to close the financial gap between what standing wheelchair technology can do and what people living with mobility impairments can actually afford.

What Drives Us

Three Core Pillars

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Funding the Gap

Standard insurance typically covers a basic power wheelchair — but not the standing functionality upgrade. We fund that difference, making standing chairs accessible to people who would otherwise never have one.

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Fostering Independence

Independence isn't just about getting around — it's about cooking at your own counter, looking someone in the eye, and living on your terms. Standing functionality makes all of that possible.

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Inclusive Advocacy

We advocate for policy change, insurance reform, and inclusive environments — so that one day, the technology that changes lives is recognized as essential, not optional.

The Technology

What a Standing Wheelchair Actually Does

A standing power wheelchair is equipped with a motorized tilt and lift system that raises the user from a seated position to fully upright — allowing them to stand at counter height, reach shelves, make eye contact, and engage with the world as a standing person.

Insurance typically covers the base power wheelchair. The Right to Stand covers the standing functionality upgrade — the critical piece that most families simply cannot afford on their own.

The medical and psychological benefits of regular standing are profound and well-documented. For someone with a spinal cord injury, this technology isn't a nice-to-have — it is a health intervention.

Improves circulation and cardiovascular health
Reduces dangerous pressure sores and skin breakdown
Strengthens bones and significantly slows osteoporosis
Improves digestion and respiratory function
Restores eye-level interaction and social connection
Dramatically improves psychological wellbeing and confidence

Person using a standing power wheelchair at kitchen counter

Standing wheelchair in use — enabling independence at home

How It Works

How We Fund Standing Chairs

Individual Applies

A person with a mobility impairment applies to The Right to Stand, sharing their story, medical situation, and financial need.

We Assess the Gap

We work with the individual and their provider to determine what insurance will cover and what standing functionality upgrade costs remain out of pocket.

We Fund the Difference

Using donor contributions, we cover the remaining cost of the standing upgrade — getting the device into their hands as quickly as possible.

The Numbers

The Scale of the Need

5.4M Americans

living with paralysis in the United States, according to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.

$15–30K Upgrade Cost

is the typical out-of-pocket cost for standing wheelchair functionality — almost never covered by insurance.

$0 Out of Pocket

is what recipients pay when The Right to Stand steps in. We cover the gap, entirely funded by community donations.

Our Community

Who We Serve

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Spinal Cord Injury Survivors

Individuals living with cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spinal cord injuries who use power wheelchairs and qualify for standing technology.

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Families & Caregivers

The families navigating the financial reality of mobility impairment deserve support and community too. We're here for all of you.

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Other Mobility Conditions

Beyond SCI — those living with MS, ALS, cerebral palsy, and other conditions that limit mobility and could benefit from standing technology.

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Advocates & Allies

Anyone committed to a more accessible, inclusive world — your voice, your donations, and your advocacy make this mission possible.