A ‘Shop for Making Aids’
Run by Disabled Villagers
57CHAPTER
533
In PART 2 of this book we talked about the value of village-based rehabilitation centers
run by local disabled village workers.
One important feature of such a center is a simple but adequately equipped shop for
making basic orthopedic equipment and rehabilitation aids at low cost. The shop also
gives disabled persons a chance to learn useful skills, to earn some money, and to be
good examples for other disabled children and their families.
There is no formula for how big the shop should be or what it should include. Often it
is best to start small but to leave room for growth.
Disabled villagers
at work in shop—
PROJIMO, Mexico.
A ‘rehab shop’ might include areas and equipment for any or all of the following
activities:
• plaster casting for
correcting contractures
and club feet
• brace (caliper) making
using metal, plastic,
or both
• woodworking—for
making crutches,
walkers, lying and
standing frames,
special seating,
wooden wheelchairs
• welding and metalwork
for making and repairing
wheelchairs and other
metal aids
• leatherwork for
making brace straps,
adaptations for shoes
and sandals, and knee
pieces
• sewing (with
machine if possible)
for wheelchair seats,
straps, special
clothes, and other
articles
• artificial limb
making—for making
simple bamboo or
leather limbs and
perhaps more complex
ones of wood,
aluminum, or resin
• game and toy making
(or this can be done in
a separate ‘children’s
workshop’. See
Chapter 49).