By Marc Krizack (krizack@sfsu.edu)

When we hear the term "the developing world", what usually comes to mind are Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and Latin America.And when we consider inexpensive and readily available materials for wheelchair production in these environments we think of mild steel, wood, and bamboo.

One part of the developing world often overlooked is the South Pacific. For more than 10 years, one New Zealander, boat builder Rob Buchanan, has been designing wheelchairs for distribution to disabled persons in the South Pacific Islands.

Serving the South Pacific

In 1991, Buchanan founded a non-profit organization, Mobility Equipment for the Needs of the Disabled, or MEND.Buchanan's designs take advantage of the ready availability of fibreglass, which is used in the boat building industry throughout the South Pacific.For about $250, Buchanan can produce a wheelchair with a one-piece molded fibreglass body.Even the wheels can be molded from fibreglass to reduce the dependence on imported parts.The fibreglass body will not rust in the salt water and rain, so it is ideal for outdoor recreational use as well. The price compares favorably to that of other wheelchairs in developing counties, which range from $100 to $500, according to Buchanan.So far, the fibreglass design has only been made in quantity in the Solomon Islands as part of a project Buchanan helped set up. More than 120 were made at the hospital there."That material (fibreglass) is understood there and is tough," says Buchanan. "We made the wheels also in molds and used solid rubber tires which reduced repairs. Castors are made of stainless steel with solid tire wheels and nylon bushes (bushings)."

Buchanan has also designed a plastic "Sealander" wheelchair using rotational molding.This process uses a metal mold into which plastic polyethylene powder is poured and then cooked at 270 degrees centigrade (518 degrees farenheit) for 25 minutes.This design is low-cost and capable of mass production of a tough wheelchair that can be used in harsh outdoor conditions. With nylon bushings instead of ball-bearings in the wheels and castors, the Sealander can be immersed in salt water without damage or rust...a big problem in the Pacific Islands. Buchanan has produced about 40 plastic Sealanders since 1997.

Sideview of molded plastic Sealander wheelchair from New Zeland

Side view of molded plastic Sealander wheelchair from New Zealand. Chair produced by Mobility Products.

Back view of Sealander wheelchair with its one-piece molded plastic frame. Notice the single-tine caster monofork.

Aluminum Chairs

Buchanan's other efforts include a number of special aluminum designs using 3 or 4 wheels. These designs are suitable for beach or shower and toilet use. They include a manually powered aluminum beach wheelchair which has been favorably received in New Zealand.Buchanan uses 14" (35.56cm) and 10"(25.4cm) wheelbarrow wheels on the beach model wheelchair and 24" (60.96cm) and 8" (20.32cm) castors on the self-propelled design-- using either closed sealed bearings or nylon bushings.The wheels can be fitted with either solid or pneumatic tires.All the alumium designs can fold while the plastic Sealander is a rigid body.

Aluminum has the advantage over steel of being rust-proof, but can sometimes be difficult to repair because it requires a special type of welding equipment often not available in small villages. Buchanan has also recently designed a prototype steel 3-wheeler which was produced in the hospital workshop in the Solomon Islands for local villagers.

Project in India

MEND's activities have expanding beyond New Zealand and the South Pacific. Buchanan is just now starting a project in India to produce tricycle wheelchairs. The tricycles use 20" (50.8cm) BMX wheels and are made for children. According to Buchanan, most assistive mobility equipment in India is produced in adult sizes only.

Although no one wheelchair design can serve everyone's mobility needs, fibreglass and molded plastic are welcome additions to the stable of low cost materials upon which wheelchair designers can draw.They are easily cleaned and very rugged when properly designed.

Buchanan makes this assessment of his designs. "I think my chairs are a cheap outdoor alternative that saves damage to their expensive model in New Zealand.In the Pacific, they are probably the only design that can be pushed up hills and across streams. [Unfortunately], trying to fit all sizes with one mold is no answer as several sizes are needed."

Buchanan feels that his chairs are filling a much-needed gap in outdoor equipment.He has received inquiries from as far away as the US from people who can't seem to find a cheap wheelchair that can get them into the ocean or the shower."I haven't really pushed my product much," says Buchanan, "but I would like to license my design technology to any group or manufacturer around the world."

MEND is also planning to construct a 65-foot shallow draft ketch which will be able to enter the many lagoons of the South Pacific Islands in order to moor close to villages. According to Buchanan, "the vessel will be a floating resource base with on-board workshop, surgery and accommodation for 14." For more information or to contact MEND: http://www.voyager.co.nz/~mend/

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