The development of wheelchair rugby in South Africa has been hindered by high import costs and unavailability of the sports equipment. Therefore many are prevented to play the sport, which is unfortunate as wheelchair rugby allows persons with disability to participate in a competitive sports environment with teammates that may or may not have a disability.
The Product Development Technology Station (PDTS) aimed to empower wheelchair rugby and the development of the sport in the country by developing a low cost solution for the African environment.
Therefore the station developed a proof of concept to determine the viability of the project and to apply for further funding. Once funding was sourced, commercial ready prototypes for three standard sizes were produced. For each of the sizes manufacturing jigs were conceptualised, designed and manufactured.
A major focus of the project was that persons with disability can manufacture the rugby wheelchairs. This was achieved by producing an assistive manufacturing process, jigs and fixtures.
Persons with disability were also trained in the manufacturing of the wheelchairs and a sample production run was manufactured at the PDTS. Occupational therapists assisted in the development of the manufacturing process to ensure that it was appropriate for persons with disability. Design elements were incorporated such as jigs that turn and tilt around the person in the wheelchair and not the person around the jig.