A Sports Wheelchair for Low-Income Countries
By Authier, Erica L.; Pearlman, Jon; Allegretti, Ana L.; Rice, Ian; Cooper, Rory A.; Disability and Rehabilitation, Vol. 29, No. 11, pp. 963-967Publication Date: June 2007
Description of the design of an affordable sports wheelchair that allows individuals in low-income countries to participate in basketball. The wheelchair was designed to be manufactured using tools and materials that are typically available in low-income countries and features removable anti-tippers, adjustable tension backrest, 24” wheels, adjustable dump, variable camber, 4-inch casters, fore-aft axle position, removable bumpers, 16-inch seat width and backrest height, and nylon upholstery, at a cost below $125 without wheels. The wheelchair is versatile enough to be used for a variety of sports and even everyday use, and has been prototyped successfully. Documentation for the design including step-by-step directions, engineering drawings and photographs are available at the Human Engineering Research Laboratories website (http://www.herlpitt.org/intw.htm). Future refinements of the prototype include adaptations for other sports, and standards testing.
Published by: Taylor & Francis, Limited (Website:http://taylorandfrancis.org)
International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (Web Site: http://www.isprm.org )
Link to text: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09638280701240714
