Whirlwind Wheelchair International

Travelers Program

Through the Travelers Program, individuals in the USA can purchase Whirlwind products in small volumes and take them as airline baggage on trips to the developing world.  Most of Whirlwind's partners buy large volumes of wheelchairs and distribute them through rehabilitation hospitals and other local partners.  If you are planning to visit a person who needs a rugged wheelchair in the developing world, this program is you.

Success Story

"While working with Slum Women's Initiative for Development in Uganda I met a very bright young teenager named Jayla, but because of her disability and the rural dirt roads that become impassable during the rainy season, she rarely left her grandmother's hut. After telling my husband about Jalya, with the idea that we would sponsor her for her school fees, my husband mentioned a unique organization named Whirlwind that had developed the RoughRider wheelchair for people just like Jalya. When I returned to Uganda the following summer, my husband and I carried two RoughRiders as our excess baggage-one for Jalya and one for a mother of two we were connected to through the Whirlwind network. Delivering the chairs was a fantastic success and we're delighted that Jalya's able to maneuver around her new school much easier in her RoughRider. Whirlwind was incredibly helpful pre-trip as she needed to be "assessed" for the chair several time zones away. They needed to be shipped to the East Coast ahead of my move to Uganda with a very slim turn around time. The folks at Whirlwind went above and beyond to educate us about the wheelchair and to answer our queries once in Uganda. Since that time we've continued to be in touch as we are so grateful to Whirlwind for their very hands on approach that made the RoughRider transporting incredibly efficient."

~ Raina Clark-Gaun, Development Worker

Jalya transferring to her new chair.

Jalya transferring to her new chair.

The Process

You can order the RoughRider using this website and it will be delivered to your home before you travel.  Because our non-profit mission is to serve wheelchair riders in the developing world, we offer a price discount and information resources so that you can do your best to make sure that the chair fits the user and is appropriate for his or her needs.

1. Review this page and make sure this program is right for you.
2. Fill out the Travellers Program Form. You will receive a response email right away.
3. Download and email the Wheelchair Rider Assessment Form to someone who can assess the user.
4. Email Whirlwind a letter of support on your non-profit organization's letterhead. This letter will verify that you are planning to donate the chair in the developing world.  Sample Letter Here.
5. Using the response email, send the complete Wheelchair User Assessment From to Whirlwind. Please CC the person who did the assessment.
6. Whirlwind will double check the fitting prescription and email you a price discount code.
7. Purchase your RoughRider online - don't forget to use your discount code.
8. The RoughRider will arrive in a few weeks.

Pricing Info

Discount pricing is only available to travelers who are working with non-profit organizations.  Please submit a letter of support by email.  After Whirlwind receives your letter of support and the Wheelchair Rider Assessment Form is complete, you will receive a special discount coupon code.  You will use this code when you make your online purchase in order to receive the special price.

You can order the RoughRider using this website and it will be delivered to your home before you travel.  Because our non-profit mission is to serve wheelchair riders in the developing world, we offer a price discount and information resources so that you can do your best to make sure that the chair fits the user and is appropriate for his or her needs.

After Sale Service

The following product descriptions are available for riders and buyers:

If you have any additional questions, please fill out the Travelers Program Form.  If you need help with a previous order, please contact Whirlwind using the travel program email you already received.


Become An Advocate For Whirlwind Riders Around The World!

      • Looking to help someone in need in the developing world?
      • Currently using or previously used assistive technology?
      • Passionate about increasing access and wellbeing for wheelchair riders?

Then become a Whirlwind Advocate!

Whirlwind Advocates understand that a person who needs a wheelchair needs the right wheelchair.  The rugged, durable, safe and adjustable RoughRider can be this wheelchair.  As an advocate you can contribute to the process and provide quality assistive technology to those with similar disabilities in developing countries.  Become a Whirlwind Advocate HERE.

To get started, please fill out our Volunteer Form and so that we'll know you are interested.  We'll get back to you quickly and help you turn your good intentions into the change you want to see in the world.  Please take a few minutes to look through the fundraising opportunities which are listed below.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container background_color="" background_image="" background_parallax="none" enable_mobile="no" parallax_speed="0.3" background_repeat="no-repeat" background_position="left top" video_url="" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_webm="" video_mp4="" video_ogv="" video_preview_image="" overlay_color="" video_mute="yes" video_loop="yes" fade="no" border_size="0px" border_color="" border_style="" padding_top="20" padding_bottom="20" padding_left="0" padding_right="0" hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" hide_on_mobile="no" menu_anchor="" class="" id=""][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_2" layout="1_2" last="no" spacing="yes" center_content="no" hide_on_mobile="no" background_color="" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" background_position="left top" hover_type="none" link="" border_position="all" border_size="0px" border_color="" border_style="" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" animation_type="" animation_direction="" animation_speed="0.1" animation_offset="" class="" id="" min_height=""][fusion_title size="3" content_align="left" style_type="default" sep_color="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" class="" id=""]What you can do[/fusion_title][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type="1_2" layout="1_2" last="yes" spacing="yes" center_content="no" hide_on_mobile="no" background_color="" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" background_position="left top" hover_type="none" link="" border_position="all" border_size="0px" border_color="" border_style="" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" animation_type="" animation_direction="" animation_speed="0.1" animation_offset="" class="" id="" min_height=""][fusion_title size="3" content_align="left" style_type="default" sep_color="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" class="" id=""]Fundraising Opportunities[/fusion_title][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type="1_2" layout="1_2" last="no" spacing="yes" center_content="no" hide_on_mobile="no" background_color="" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" background_position="left top" hover_type="none" link="" border_position="all" border_size="0px" border_color="" border_style="" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" animation_type="" animation_direction="" animation_speed="0.1" animation_offset="" class="" id="" min_height=""][fusion_tabs design="clean" layout="horizontal" justified="yes" backgroundcolor="" inactivecolor="#8bc352" bordercolor="" class="" id=""][fusion_tab title="Raise Funds" icon=""]Raise funds to support Whirlwind's ongoing design and quality control efforts. We are constantly developing new products, improving existing designs, and helping build the local infrastructures. Contact us for more information here.

Raise funds to buy wheelchairs.  Either rely on us to decide where the chairs should be distributed or choose a specific country or organization. Contact us for more information here.[/fusion_tab][fusion_tab title="Sell Wheelchairs" icon=""]Help sell the Whirlwind RoughRider® in the U.S.  The RoughRider® is FDA approved for sale in the U.S., and all revenue goes to supporting Whirlwind’s non-profit mission in the developing world.[/fusion_tab][/fusion_tabs][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type="1_2" layout="1_2" last="yes" spacing="yes" center_content="no" hide_on_mobile="no" background_color="" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" background_position="left top" hover_type="none" link="" border_position="all" border_size="0px" border_color="" border_style="" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" animation_type="" animation_direction="" animation_speed="0.1" animation_offset="" class="" id="" min_height=""][fusion_tabs design="clean" layout="horizontal" justified="yes" backgroundcolor="" inactivecolor="#8bc352" bordercolor="" class="" id=""][fusion_tab title="Present" icon=""]Make presentations to local charitable and philanthropic organization with Whirlwind provided promotional materials.[/fusion_tab][fusion_tab title="Host" icon=""]Host neighborhood house party fundraisers.[/fusion_tab][fusion_tab title="Donate" icon=""]Donate here and tell your friends and family members to do the same.[/fusion_tab][fusion_tab title="Buy" icon=""]Buy a RoughRider for your personal outdoor use.[/fusion_tab][fusion_tab title="Demonstrate" icon=""]Demonstrate how you use the RoughRider® to fellow users.[/fusion_tab][fusion_tab title="Promote" icon=""]Promote the RoughRider® to organizations that attract wheelchair riders through sports and recreation.
Take a photo or video using your RoughRider and send it to us.  We'd love to see your action shots.[/fusion_tab][/fusion_tabs][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="yes" overflow="visible"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" last="yes" spacing="yes" center_content="no" hide_on_mobile="no" background_color="" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" background_position="left top" hover_type="none" link="" border_position="all" border_size="0px" border_color="" border_style="solid" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" animation_type="0" animation_direction="down" animation_speed="0.1" animation_offset="" class="" id="" min_height=""][fusion_title size="1" content_align="left" style_type="default" sep_color="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" class="notoppadding" id=""]Whirlwind Quality Assurance Program[/fusion_title][fusion_text]Quality of design and manufacturing are extremely important to wheelchair users. A wheelchair breakdown is a serious problem that can leave its rider stranded far from home or unable to return to work or school until the chair is repaired. Not only do most wheelchair riders not have the money to buy their chairs, but the can not even afford to pay for repairs. To achieve our goal of full inclusion and social participation for wheelchair riders, we are very careful to make certain that the chairs are free of manufacturing defects which would interrupt or cut short the benefit of the wheelchair for the user.

Whirlwind's quality assurance program has three check levels. Check Level A is done on every chair. It includes tests like roll testing for distance and straightness, checking the function of each feature like the wheel locks and the foot rests for the ability to hold full body weight, checking that bolts arer tightened to spec, checking for sharp edges, and checking for the tension of the spokes. Chairs must pass these tests and failures indicate to manufacturers that deeper problems exist which are then resolved. Check Level B is a batch test done on one of 100 chairs or one per batch for smaller batches. After assembly all the important angels and lengths are measured like seat angle, back angle, seat height, distance between wheels, toe in/out, caster barrel angle, etc. Then a chair is torn down into pieces and each component is measure to ensure it is within specifications. This is a very close inspection that looks at everything from the quality of the upholstery stitching to the spacing between welds.

Manufacturers submit their quality reports to Whirlwind with each order so that they can receive support from the Whirlwind technical team as needed. Whirlwind also uses various methods of gathering samples from manufacturers so that we can double check that reports are consistent with our observations of randomly chosen units.

Check Level C is done at Whirlwind HQ. This test is verification that the design the factory is building matches our intended design. In manufacturing, there is always an impulse to cut costs by using cheaper materials which will not meet the intended performance requirements. Check Level C includes testing of paint, all materials, and ISO tests like the double drum test to 400,000 revolutions, two times the ISO standard.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]