INTERNATIONAL WHEELCHAIR DAY

Not every wheelchair is appropriate for the user; environment, functionality, and the user's posture must be taken into consideration to judge if a wheelchair is appropriate for the user. These are some of the key takeaways from the Wheelchair Stakeholders Meeting that was held in commemoration of International Wheelchair Day on March 1st. This marked the first meeting of the ‘Jenga jamii jumuishi’ project, which is being implemented by Kyaro assistive technology and Tai Tanzania, supported by the U.S. Embassy. Kyaro Assistive Tech is based in Arusha, and unlike most imported options, they focus on making devices that will last a long time and are locally made specifically to meet the needs of the users. Tai Tanzania uses storytelling to air the story of the importance of appropriate wheelchairs through the Najiamini 2 animation. The meeting took place at the Sibusiso Foundation. Wheelchair stakeholders from different walks of life were in attendance, as were representatives from the Ministry of Health, CCBRT, Shonaquip Social Enterprise, and representatives from other organizations in the same course. The program started off with an overview of appropriate wheelchairs. The discussion moved on to look into the sustainability of wheelchair services in Tanzania. Representatives from CCBRT and Shonaquip Social Enterprise also took the time to share their experience with appropriate wheelchairs. We also had the opportunity to watch success stories of wheelchair users who are now comfortable going on with their daily activities after getting appropriate wheelchairs from Kyaro assistive technology. Thereafter, we moved on to watch the Najiami short film animation, a multiple award-winning animation that shows the story of Mira, highlighting that ‘disability is not in ability!’. We then previewed Najiamini 2, which tells the story of why it is important for users to have appropriate wheelchairs a short film animation that will be premiering in April. The event was summed up by breakout sessions where all the stakeholders shared their concerns and recommendations, and the guest of honour and the representative from the government closed the meeting by sharing feedback and future plans by the government in alignment with the issues and recommendations raised by the stakeholders.