Evaluation of CIR-Whirlwind Wheelchair and Service Provision in Afghanistan
By Armstrong, William; Reisinger, Kim D.; Smith, William K.; Disability and Rehabilitation, Vol. 29, No. 11, pp. 935-948Publication Date: June 2007
Review of the design and development led by the Center for International Rehabilitation (CIR) of a wheelchair for Afghanistan. The wheelchair, an adult-size manual wheelchair built to withstand rugged terrain, was designed by Whirlwind Wheelchair International, manufactured in India and packaged as kits for assembly in Afghanistan. Local practitioners in Kabul were trained on user assessment, fitting and training, and wheelchair assembly, maintenance and repair. One hundred participants with previous experience of independently propelling a manual wheelchair participated in a four-month study which included initial wheelchair fitting and training and follow-up at 3 and 10 weeks. Participants also received user’s manuals and repair kits. The wheelchair was rated favorably overall by the participants. Adjustments made to the wheelchairs during the study were typical for maintaining or improving their fit or function. With the exception of brake handles, the need for repair or replacement of components was minimal. CIR plans to follow up the study by interviewing the participants at 9 and 15 months from the date they received their wheelchairs.
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/101080/09638280701240615
