Winter Wheelchair

Winter Wheelchair - open-source assistive technology concept by the Alberta community

About this project

The team created a means for Dana’s wheelchair to roll into and fasten Dana's wheelchair to a ski or toboggan apparatus and allow whoever is pushing Dana to take her all over the freshly laid snow. The idea is to create a toboggan or ski'd platform that fastens directly to her wheelchair, so as to not encumber whoever is pushing her to relocate her, and allow the team to head out into the snow together. The team designed and made a frame to fit with Dana's current wheelchair. This frame has very wide snowboard ends underneath each of the front wheels of the wheelchair to compress and glide over snow, and two wide-treaded bicycle tires per side of her wheelchair, allowing more surface area for contact and traction. The idea is that whoever is with Dana will be able to easily roll the wheelchair into this frame, and be able to navigate some snowy terrain with minimal issues.

The challenge

Dana loves being outside, especially during the winter. This is difficult for her family, as Calgary will get heavy and deep snow falls overnight or within a few hours.

Who it helps

Dana is a 3 year old girl. She has Rett Syndrome.

Project details

The build files for Winter Wheelchair are free to download from this page - open source, shared by TOM: Tikkun Olam Makers.

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