The World Health Organization estimates that 65 million people or 1% of the population need a wheelchair. 20 million is a conservative estimate of the number of people in the developing world who need a good wheelchair and do not have one. [World Health Organization Wheelchair Guidelines, 2008] Whirlwind defines a “good wheelchair” as safe, durable, locally repairable, and highly useable for the rider.
Whirlwind Wheelchair International is a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities in the developing world while promoting sustainable local economic development in the process. Whirlwind works to make it possible for every person in the developing world who needs a wheelchair to obtain one that will lead to maximum personal independence and integration into society. By giving wheelchair riders a central role in all aspects of design development Whirlwind ensures that chairs are appropriate for rider’s real lives in their real environments. For thirty years in over 40 countries Whirlwind has focused on producing durable, low-cost, and highly functional wheelchairs. These chairs give riders the reliable and functional mobility they need to reach their full potential. Whirlwind’s active adult wheelchair design, the RoughRider is used by 25,000 riders traveling over every terrain imaginable from muddy village paths to rough pot-holed urban streets.
In partnership with wheelchair buyers, Whirlwind provided 3,000 RoughRiders in 2008 and 3,500 in 2009. These chairs were produced through a network of regional, quality-certified manufacturers, which currently can produce 12,000 RoughRiders per year. Small wheelchair shops across the developing world produced many more Whirlwind chairs under a public domain licensing program. In Guatemala, Whirlwind partners with The Transitions Foundation.
Whirlwind’s main goals are to:
- Provide volume wheelchair buyers with excellent wheelchairs
- Improve wheelchair designs and production methods
- Promote international wheelchair standards and testing
- Support the Independent Living Movement
To learn more about Whirlwind Wheelchair International, please visit their website.
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