J2000NT Wheelchair Project Thailand IT

The Situation

In 1999, a number of leaders in Thailand – both Thai nationals and expat internationals – agreed that there was a need to help improve the mobility of people with various disabilities, country-wide.

Arising from this a community development organisation was birthed – RICD Wheelchair Project (Wheelchair Project) – under the sponsorship of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, and the supervision of the Thai Department of Mental Health.

The key focus of Wheelchair Project is providing mobility to people in a country where disability support is not well resourced. This allows not only the recipients, but often their entire family, to then pursue educational, work and social activities that previously were simply not possible.

Wheelchair Project doesn’t just provide equipment; by working across Thailand with local community organisations, Wheelchair Project is able to introduce recipients and their families to a range of ongoing support options.

The capacity for Wheelchair Project has been driven by logistics-management software – a purpose built computer program – that has been entirely created (and continues to be enhanced), by a small team of dedicated, specialist volunteers from Australia, Germany & the US.

The ongoing enhancements to the Wheelchair Project software facilitate:

• An increasing number of mobility equipment donations (high-quality second-hand from Germany, Japan & the US, and new, built-to-order from China)
• The mobilisation of greater numbers of Wheelchair Project volunteer staff
• Distributing the donated equipment (through in-person fittings) across almost the whole of Thailand.

In total, approximately 50000 people have now received wheelchairs & mobility aids, and currently approximately 75 people per week now receive wheelchairs & mobility aids, from Wheelchair Project.

Each individual is personally assessed by allied health professionals and fitted with equipment by highly-trained, volunteer Wheelchair Project technicians, to meet their specific needs.

How Can I Assist?

Would you consider contributing to information technology expenses for the work of Wheelchair Project?

Immediate software needs:

• five-year site ‘platform’ licence for the logistics software
• a rare opportunity to purchase at 48% of retail price arose recently
• $3900.00 AUD (approximately) has already been donated
• BALANCE NEEDED $5900.00 AUD (approximately).

Will-need-soon hardware items:

• at least two replacement computers (desktop or laptop) – for the Wheelchair Project admin team
• three new (to Wheelchair Project) iPhones – early 2020’s models and at least one more iPad – to photograph and log wheelchair & mobility equipment distribution to every recipient
• computer peripherals upgrades – replacement screens, mice & keyboards – admin team
• one wide-screen computer monitor - for in-country software development
• APPROXIMATELY $6000.00 AUD (total)
• NOTE: Most equipment is acquired second-hand, and/or through not-for-profit suppliers.

Donations are tax-deductible

We look forward to seeing what further difference the next 25 years of Wheelchair Project will make to the next generation in Thailand.