This zine is a chronological visual history of wheeled chairs dating back
to ancient times. Disabled people have existed for as long as humanity,
and for as long as there have been disabled people, we have crafted
tools to make our lives easier. People who are new to being wheelchair
users may not know the distinguished and fascinating history of their
noble steeds. Wheelchairs predate many other wheeled chairs like
bikes, cars or office chairs. They may go back to the invention of the
wheel itself.
Wheelchairs have been used by saints, sages, generals, nobles, kings
and queens for hundreds of years. In the past, wheelchairs have been
for the privileged few, and sadly, that has not changed in modern times.
Some say that with better manufacturing processes and technology,
we can provide wheelchairs for everyone on earth who needs one. But
the truth is that we have been able to do this almost at every stage of
civilisation. Inequality is not a technological problem, but a social one.
Currently....
132 million people need wheelchairs, but only
22 million have access to one.
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