Whirlwind Women of Whirlwind Wheelchair International

Summary: Whirlwind Women seeks to support women and girls with disabilities in the design, production, and repair of Whirlwind Wheelchairs. Whirlwinds are low-cost wheelchairs designed for use in the rugged conditions of developing countries where fewer than 5% of people needing wheelchairs have them. Our goal is to enable women with disabilities to take an active role in making themselves and others more mobile.

Project Description: Whirlwind Women is currently working with two women-run Whirlwind shops in East Africa. Each of these shops is producing and marketing Whirlwinds for people in their local communities. Approximately 20 million people with disabilities need durable folding locally made wheelchairs worldwide; women and girls with disabilities are usually lowest on the list on the rare occasions when such wheelchairs are available. Although women with disabilities have particular needs in mobility devices (such as caring for children), they are rarely consulted in the design process.

Empowerment of disabled women and girls: Whirlwind Women is run by and inclusive of disabled women involved in wheelchair production. We work with women with disabilities to start Whirlwind wheelchair shops. We collaborate with them on the ongoing technical, organizational and marketing aspects. Funds permitting, we provide ongoing production and repair training.

Annual budget: Our current budget is approximately $100,000 but may expand in fiscal year 99-'00

Project duration: As a volunteer organization -since June 1995; as a staffed organization-since October 1997

Main funding challenge: Whirlwind Women is an emerging organization with an unusual mission. As such, we do not necessarily fit in traditional funding categories of Health or Rehabilitation or International or Human Rights or Women although we are involved with each of these subject areas. Starting up workshops and traveling to provide support are expensive; it is difficult to raise money for capacity-building (staff) expenses in addition to project budgets.

Contact information:
Jenny Kern, Program Director
Mail: San Francisco State University
School of Engineering
1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132
Telephone: 415-338-6277
Fax: 415-338-1290
Email: whirl@sfsu.edu
Website: http://whirlwind.sfsu.edu