small talks: talks by students, for students <style type="text/css">  </style> </head> <body> <center>  <a href="http://dmse.mit.edu/"><img border=0 src="course3.jpg"></a> <a href="http://web.mit.edu/gso/faq/studentlifefee.html"><img border=0 src="gso.jpg"></a>  <a href="index.shtml"><b><font size=7><font color=black>small</font>TALKS</font><b></a> <a href="http://mtlweb.mit.edu/researchgroups/mems/"><img border=0 src="memsatmit.jpg"></a> <a href="http://rleweb.mit.edu/"><img border=0 src="rle.jpg"></a> <br> ♦ <i>talks by students, for students</i> ♦<br> Wednesdays, 4pm, 6-104<br> <a href="sponsors.shtml">sponsors</a><br> <a href="about.shtml">about small talks</a> </center> <p> 11.08.2006: Amos Winter (MechE)<br> <i>Wheelchair design for developing countries</i><br> <h4>Abstract:</h4> According to USAID, 20 million people in developing countries require wheelchairs, and UNDP estimates below 1% of their need is being met in Africa. In these countries, lack of mobility can have detrimental social effects such as negating the opportunity to gain an education or have employment. In this seminar I will discuss the social, economical, and technical issues that affect wheelchair availability. I will present the work I have done, and the opportunities open to others at MIT, to make strides towards providing appropriately designed mobility technology to the developing world. Included will be a preview of a course I am teaching this spring, in which students will collaborate with community partners in Africa and experts in the US to improve currently made mobility products, and then have the opportunity during summer fellowships to implement technology from the class into African wheelchair workshops. <p><p> <center> <small>Questions? Comments? Would you like to give a small talk?<br> [small-talks at mike india tango dot edu]<br> Oh, and sign up for our <a href="http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/small-talks-announce">announce list</a>! :)</small> </center> </body> </html>