The Mobility Independence Foundation Inc

We will deliver community based individualized mobility equipment solutions that are open source and easily repaired. Our experts in disability issues, mechanical engineering, advanced welding techniques, design, and software are working hard on our first product line. This modernized, fully customizable, and modular power wheelchair design will meet the needs of those in urban, suburban, and rural lifestyles alike. We're here to bring real solutions to real problems affecting real people today. With your support you can join us in becoming part of the solution and a part of the movement.
Project 1: currently underway, is a remote team of experts from various backgrounds who are testing and disseminating concepts and technologies with which to produce the above-described power wheelchair designs. This process includes developing ever-ready information resources for building, maintaining, and repairing the design.
Project 2: once designs are finalized and parts sourcing secured, will be to identify individuals in need of the equipment and build teams around them to both build and customize the equipment to the individual's specific needs. We will conduct outreach to existing institutions such as universities and other local organizations to build these teams around users of the equipment who will be left with a network of more local and timely resources for repairs or future modifications.
Project 3: increasing availability, we will then seek manufacturers to lease designs to for proliferation. While they'll be allowed to profit, the lease will require the donation of equipment directed by The Mobility Independence Foundation Inc. Others may choose to follow a not-for-profit model where all profits are invested in the businesses stated goals and we will negotiate their contracts as necessary to proliferate the user centric designs we create.
Project 4: beginning during initial outreach to universities and other organizations, we will seek those looking to solve similar mobility equipment issues and offer them an avenue similar to projects 1-3 listed above. As our growth and number of products continue to increase, we believe this can become a self- sustaining model for meeting specialized needs around the world.

The mars rover Opportunity lasted over 14 years on the surface of an unforgiving planet surface without direct human maintenance. Tesla recently demonstrated that their electric tractor trailer can haul 80,000 pounds of freight over 500 miles in a single day. Many who utilize a power wheelchair for mobility cannot get down the block to their own local Post Office. We must do better.

We will address at least part of 4 sustainable development goals listed by the UN.

Our designs, which will be readily available for use by private individuals and organizations at a global level, will increase good health and wellbeing in the underserved disability community. From bedsore prevention to increasing mental health through access to an individuals community and socialization, those needing our designs will benefit from an improved life situation enabling a purpose driven and community integrated life.

By releasing open source and leasing capabilities of our designs we will address the Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure goals listed in SDG number 9. Our designs and business model will build resilient economic infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation by utilizing educational programs and technologies from existing industries in new ways. With a focus on product longevity and environmentally friendly power sources our designs should bolster an already growing market for ecologically friendly products that can be manufactured nearly anywhere.

Inequality of income and lifestyle(SDG number 10) are huge issues in the disability community, especially in rural areas world wide. Our product designs will increase a user's ability to find and maintain employment, including self employment, in areas where this can be extremely difficult. It is our intention that a certain segment of those using our designs will inevitably become a part of the production and design process. This will enable development of user-generated design features and user-generated businesses for small scale production in rural communities fostering an overall increase in inclusion, lifestyle, income and access for all users.

Throw away culture is a problem and today in the US most power wheelchairs do not last 5 years before replacement. It was recently reported that over 50% of power wheelchairs in the US alone suffer mechanical breakdown within 6 months from delivery. While founded on October 14th, 2022, we have taken the initiative to conduct Research And Development for the previous 12 months and already we can demonstrate that we can increase lifespan of a power wheelchair from 5 to 10 or even 30 years while utilizing readily available parts and materials that are more repairable, more recyclable, and more reusable. This leads to our concept being more responsible on many levels with regard to the environment, industrial sustainability, and human value.

For the last year we have been working with active members of the disability community as we conduct research and development. We are ready to start building our prototypes.