Veterans & Community: Job & Resource Fair
Leave a reply
Tag Archives: Technology
The History of the Wheelchair
From its early inception to modern design, the world of wheelchairs and mobility solutions has rolled through a very interesting evolution.
We live in a day and age where technology has forged the reality of power chairs, smart chairs and beyond, but history tells us the first known wheelchair, then known as the invalids chair, has developed into an extremely useful resource for people with disAbilities and has fostered a simultaneous campaign to raise awareness and understanding for its users.
The Early Days
It’s predicted that the very first renditions of the wheelchair rolled out in China, though Phillip II of Spain is largely attributed to its mainstream acceptance. Spanish inventors designed the chair for Phillip II, who was suffering from Gout.
No surprise that royalty got its own renditions.
As for the commonwealth, mobility solutions were largely the responsibility of the families and servants of the loved one with a disAbility or up to the individual with the disAbility, themselves. German watchmaker and paraplegic, Stephan Farfler was one such individual who designed a personal solution in 1665. Farfler engineered a hand cranked tricycle — called the manumotive carriage — which is said to have also inspired modern day bicycles.
Bath Chairs and Beyond
In 1783, Englishmen John Dawson invented another three wheeled rendition which he so creatively named the Bath Chair, after the town of Bath, England. The contraption appeared somewhat reminiscent of old-fashioned bathtubs and could be drawn by animals or pushed by hand.
By the late 1800s however, the clunky Bath Chairs were due for a revisit and patents started surfacing for chairs that utilized two larger wheels in the back and smaller casters in front to achieve maneuverability and better comfort for its users. Rubber wheels and pushrims were also added for self-propulsion and independent use.
Wheelchairs as We Know Them
At the turn of the 20th century, wheelchairs began to take the shape of our common perceptions, largely influenced by their need for wounded soldiers and veterans, ripples of the early modern warfare. During these years of conflict, the world experienced an influx in amputations and battle wounds that sparked a growing need for mobility solutions.
In 1916, British inventors were already designing early power chairs and in 1932, Harry Jennings engineered the world’s first folding wheelchair out of tubular steel.
Following the Second World War, Canadian inventor, George Klein, pioneered the world’s first electric power chair to enable veterans returning from battle.
Nowadays technology has empowered wheelchair conversion vans, electric lifts for people with disAbilities, prototype exoskeletons and beyond. From its humble beginnings to modern marvels, the history of wheelchairs has made a grand impact on the world around us.
The Connected Wheelchair
While most of the population is busy gawking about the new gadgets released by Apple, Intel in partnership with the award-winning theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking quietly presented something that can be dubbed as the Next-Big-Thing: the connected wheelchair.
Intel showcased the connected wheelchair in its annual Development Conference which was held in San Francisco. In the press release, Intel gave details about the concept of the new wheelchair design.
The concept of the connected wheelchair was intelligently designed by a team of Intel’s engineering interns through the company’s Collaborators Program. The connected wheelchair is currently being developed and improved by Intel’s Internet of Things department. The creation of this equipment is intended to transform standard and conventional wheelchairs into data driven, connected devices or machines.
Here are some of the amazing and intelligent features of the connected wheelchair:
- The wheelchair is able to absorb or acquire essential biometric information from the user. – The equipment is capable of gathering biometric data or measuring the health of the user. It can measure the vital signs such as heart rate, body temperature and blood pressure. The biometric measurements are then displayed on touch screens that are attached to the wheelchair.
- The wheelchair is designed to take mechanical information from the machine itself that can be analyzed. – The data acquired can be used in addition to the biometric information gathered. The data taken about the wheelchair are also essential to know the status of the machine as well.
- The connected wheelchair comes with an app. – The app that is in synced with the connected machine allows users to quickly and efficiently map, evaluate and rate the accessibility of different areas and new locations.
With these wonderful features, users can monitor important information about their health, the status of the equipment, and the accessibility of an area or place they are going to visit. Through knowing such vital information, there will be significant improvement in the user’s day to day living.
Internationally acclaimed physicist Stephen Hawking, whose life story will be told in the upcoming biopic drama “The Theory of Everything”, has worked with Intel experts and engineers for more than ten years already and he said that the connected wheelchair is a wonderful invention and an ideal example of how technology can greatly help people with disabilities and physical limitations.
To Hawking, medicine cannot cure his condition, therefore he relies on technology to make his daily activities attainable. Hawking showcases the connected wheelchair and the things the equipment is capable of doing in an Intel video.
Many might be in awe of the new iPhones and gadgets introduced by Apple. But more will be amazed of Intel’s new connected wheelchair that will not just help Hawking but people across the globe.
Rhode Island Technology, Assistive Financial Aid & Disability Programs
Living an independent life is a part of Rhode Island’s history. RI was the first of the 13 original colonies to declare independence and the last to ratify the U.S. Constitution. State programs exist to help people with disabilities to be more independent through transportation, assistive technology and becoming involved in their communities.
Assistive Technology Access Partnership
The ATAP is a statewide partnership of organizations with an Assistive Technology focus. They provide a range of services including training, public awareness, demonstrations and loans.
Ocean State Center for Independent Living
The OSCIL advocates for an individual’s right to live independently by offering services , information and peer support.
Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities
Located at Rhode Island College, the center assist individuals to live a productive and independent life within their community. They also offer assistive technology equipment, tools and services.
TechACCESS of Rhode Island
Provides information about Assistive Technology and how these devices and services can improve or maintain the capabilities of a person with disabilities.
Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council
Council members and staff work to develop programs and work with agencies to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities.
Easter Seals Rhode Island
Provides programs and services for children and adults with disabilities, their families and their communities.