THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO PRODUCE A HOME-ACCESSIBLE WHEELCHAIR, SPARING INDIVIDUALS PLACED IN A WHEELCHAIR FOR THE FIRST TIME MUCH OF THE EXPENSE OF MODIFYING THEIR OWN HOMES.

THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO PRODUCE A HOME-ACCESSIBLE WHEELCHAIR, SPARING INDIVIDUALS PLACED IN A WHEELCHAIR FOR THE FIRST TIME MUCH OF THE EXPENSE OF MODIFYING THEIR OWN HOMES. A 21-INCH-WIDE, POWERED, STAIR-CLIMBING WHEELCHAIR ABLE TO TURN AROUND IN A 36" HALLWAY WILL BE DEVELOPED. TESTS INSURING SAFE OPERATION AND STABILITY FOR PASSENGERS WEIGHING UP TO 250 POUNDS AT REASONABLE BODY POSITIONS AND NEGOTIATING STAIR ANGLES UP TO 42 DEGREES AND STAIR RISER HEIGHTS UP TO 9" WILL BE PERFORMED. THE DESIGN WILL BE MATURED ADEQUATELY IN PHASE I TO INSURE THAT THE CONCEPT CANBE PRODUCED AND TO DEFINE ITS CAPABILITIES. LOCAL WHEELCHAIR USERS WILL BE INVITED TO REVIEW THE CHAIR AND ITSOPERATION IN PHASES I AND II TO INSURE ITS MARKETABILITY. PROTOTYPE ENGINEERING WILL BE COMPLETED IN PHASE II AND A SINGLE UNIT WILL BE FABRICATED. PHASE II WILL INCLUDE APPROPRIATENESS TESTING BY A REHABILITATION HOSPITAL AND ENGINEERING TESTS. CHAIR MANUFACTURE AND DISTRIBUTION WILL BEGIN IN EXTENDED PHASE II STAGES.