Wheelchairs for Haiti

posted on Feb 09 by Stacy in the Advocacy, Disability News category

Ralf Hotchkiss, co-designer of Whirlwind Wheelchair International, has traveled the world setting up workshops and training workers to make low-cost durable wheelchairs out of locally-available materials.  Hotchkiss recognizes that giving U.S. made wheelchairs is not only impractical and unworkable, they are too expensive, are not built for the terrain of third world countries, and parts are not available making repairs impossible.   

Whirlwind Wheelchair International grew out of Hotchkiss work. It is a program of the Center for Civic and Community Engagement at San Francisco State University (SFSU). Founded in 1989 as the Wheeled Mobility Center by SFSU Engineering professor Peter Pfaelzer and paraplegic engineer and wheelchair designer Ralf Hotchkiss.  Rowan University sociologist Jay Chaskes has partnered with Whirlwind Wheelchair International to raise funds to send wheelchairs to Haiti. The chairs weigh 40 pounds and cost $220.00.  They are made to handle Haiti’s rough terrain.  The chairs are being made in developing countries, and are easy to repair, come in adult and pediatric sizes, and can be adjusted to fit different body types. “The chairs are very simple, but strong,” says Chaskes, “One of the beautiful things about the chair parts is that they can be fixed anywhere. The parts, such as standard ball bearings, can be found anywhere.”

Chaskes got the idea for “Wheelchairs for Haiti” after listening to a radio broadcast about the number of earthquake victims who have suffered spinal cord injuries and amputations.

The Whit Wheelchairs for Haiti: “a gift like no other” Rowan Universitys College Paper : The Whit