An Assist For Those With A Disability In Uganda

A design in wiki sticks allows it to be "seen" by Alfred.

We're off to Uganda, the Amaru District of northern Uganda. After looking around awhile, we realize that the primary type of transportation is by motorbike. But that can limit those who are living with some type of disability.

That was the realization of Breanna Schuyler, a Peace Corps volunteer in the area. She had gotten to know Alfred Okello better (he was a former student) and they were discussing ways in which people with disabilities could become more independent and empowered. Alfred happens to be blind and he explained some of the difficulties with local transportation. In order to make longer trips, a person like Alfred has to walk or hire transportation via motorbike or car at considerable cost.



As Ms. Schuyler got to thinking about it while she was out on her bike, she realized that someone like Alfred has the physical ability to utilize a bike, but needs guidance about where to go safely. After getting together with Daniel Odoch, the head of the Special Needs Department, the twosome came up with a design, which they made with wiki sticks, so the blind students could "see" it. It involves converting a regular bicycle into a tandem bike, and adding a cart, so various items could be transported, too.

Alfred, who was a mechanic before he lost his vision, worked with a mechanic at the bike shop, who happened to be deaf. They were able to build the first prototype, which turned out to be a little wobbly. The second prototype corrected that issue and was sturdier. Word started spreading around, exciting the community, especially those with disabilities. With some support from various organizations, funds were starting to come in to make more of the bikes. The bikes cost $350 to make, but the ability to move around the area, with someone to navigate, is priceless. since both the navigator and the disabled person can provide physical power for the bike.

A regular bike is broken down before its remake.

Although these particular bikes were designed to provide assistance to blind people, Breanna has the hope that a similar idea can spread to others with disabilities. She carried the hope that "other communities will follow our example and build their own, modified specifically to their needs."

Spreading the word about tandem bike transport.

Thanks to information from this article on Adventures as a Science Teacher in Northern Uganda: http://malakwang.blogspot.com/2014/04/tandem-bike-project-part-i-conception.html; and this article from Pollination Project: http://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/brianna-schuyler-alfred-okello-tandem-bikes/.

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