Disability Technology & News

Wheelchairs for Afghanistan

This is a video which documents a project conducted by the Center for International Rehabilitation (CIR). CIR helped designed and distributed wheelchairs known as CIR/Whirlwind to Afghanistan disabled so that they can be independent and interact with others in society. The majorities of Afghanistan disabled are poor and live in bungalow perched either high in the hills or in towns with rough unpaved terrain and thus are imprison in their homes. The CIR/Whirlwind seeks to break this barrier as it is designed to be lightweight, durable, and easy to maneuver by the person. Importantly, the wheelchair is economically feasible to maintain and affordable; repairs & parts can be found at a local bicycle shop.

One interesting fact I learned from the video is that, Afghanistan has a Ministry of “Martyrs and Disabled”. Ironic how the two are related in this part of the region.

Here is Whirlwind website.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGvSsuorovc]

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