| Last updated on October 30, 2007 |
Whirlwind Wheelchair International works to make it possible for every person in the developing world who needs a wheelchair to obtain one that will lead to maximum personal independence and integration into society. In order to fulfill this mission, WWI seeks to give wheelchair riders a central role in all of its projects and activities.
Description:
Whirlwind designs wheelchairs for production and use in developing countries to empower people with disabilities through independent mobility and sustainable economic development. We promote international standards for wheelchairs and guidelines for their distribution in low income countries. We support small and medium businesses to produce these chairs, train people who to build them, and provide other trainings and services necessary for responsible wheelchair provision in the developing world. We are currently scaling up our operations through franchising.
History:
Whirlwind Wheelchair International is a program of the Center for Civic and Community Engagment at San Francisco State University (SFSU). Founded in 1989 as the Wheeled Mobility Center by SFSU Engineering professor Peter Pfaelzer and paraplegic engineer and wheelchair designer Ralf Hotchkiss, Whirlwind grew out of Hotchkiss's work since 1980, traveling the globe designing wheelchairs that could be built in developing countries from locally available materials.
Whirlwind technology has been taken to more than 50 countries. Hotchkiss's pioneering work has led to many innovations that are integral to wheelchair models produced by many workshops and NGOs around the world. Up to now, all of Whirlwind’s designs have been placed in the public domain in order not to add to the cost of village wheelchair shops using these designs. However, this may change as we seek to scale up the number of our wheelchairs produced annually and also generate income for our organization through the sale of wheelchairs.
Contact people:
Main office number: (415) 338-6277
Office fax number: (415) 338-1290
Address:
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1600 Holloway Ave., SCI 251
SF, CA 94132
(See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.whirlwindwheelchair.org
Directions:
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On 19th Avenue next 1 block south of Stonestown Mall.
On the "M" Muni Streetcar line.
17, 28, and 29 Muni Buselines
Going South on I 280 from SF get off at the San Jose Ave/Daly City Exit and. . . (more)
Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: SF State Muni Stop/Daly City BART,
Walk distance (in minutes): 1 minute from muni stop
Nearest Bus Stop: 19th and Holloway - at campus, 1 minute minute walk |
Miscellaneous Information
| Besides English, which languages are spoken at your agency? |
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Arabic, French, Spanish
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| What is the minimum age for volunteers at your agency? |
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15
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| Is your agency wheelchair accessible? |
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Yes
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| Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 10? |
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No
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| Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 20? |
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No
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