Description
Immobility adversely affects the lives of the disabled in Tanzania by limiting their opportunity to attend school, work, and participate in the community. A small fraction of those in need of a mobility aid actually have access to one; the few with access to standard wheelchairs find them exhausting to push on rough terrain, which is characteristic of rural communities. Hand-powered tricycles on the other hand, are easier to propel, but are too large for use in the home.
The folding tricycle attachment prototype in its stowed away state
The goal of this project is to produce a low-cost, foldable, stowable tricycle attachment for standard wheelchairs. A folding design will enable the owner to stow his or her wheelchair on public buses and in taxis, thereby enabling travel to urban regions.
Being a part of GHDI is one of my most cherished and rewarding engineering experiences thus far. I was able to authentically engage with a community as well as the fields of healthcare, design, and engineering. The experience has continued to impact my decisions today.
What to Know About The Global Health Design Initiative
Program History
GHDI has been working with stakeholders for more than eight years to identify and address global health design challenges. Learn more about our history and core values.
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Project Outcomes
Since inception, we have worked on projects in maternal health, family planning, minimally invasive surgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and more. Explore our past and current projects.
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