B093N RICD Wheelchair Project: Andrew Ross

The Situation

For the past thirty years, Andrew Ross has increasingly devoted time to financially & logistically supporting people who serve communities in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions. In 2018, Andrew was asked by a colleague from Chiang Mai, Thailand, to assist with creating software for some Thai-based organisations that were focused on sustainable community development.

Andrew’s work on logistics-management software with one such organisation – wheelchairproject.org – commenced on a very-much-part-time basis, however in mid-2024, changed personal circumstances permitted Andrew to increase his time investment into Wheelchair Project.

The key focus of Wheelchair Project is providing mobility to people in a country where disability support is not well resourced. This allows not only the recipients, but often their entire family, to then pursue educational, work and social activities that previously were simply not possible.

Wheelchair Project doesn’t just provide equipment; by working across Thailand with local community organisations, Wheelchair Project is able to introduce recipients and their families to a range of ongoing support options.

Andrew’s ongoing enhancements to the Wheelchair Project software facilitate:

• An increasing number of mobility equipment donations (high-quality second-hand from Germany, Japan & the US, and new, built-to-order from China)
• The mobilisation of greater numbers of Wheelchair Project volunteer staff
• Distributing the donated equipment (through in-person fittings) across almost the whole of Thailand.

In total, approximately 75 people per week now receive wheelchairs & mobility aids, each personally assessed and fitted with equipment to meet their individual needs.

How Can I Assist Andrew Ross?

Andrew serves with Wheelchair Project in a totally-volunteer capacity, and when not working with Wheelchair Project, Andrew meets his own personal expenses.

Anyone connected with Andrew Ross may wish to assist him with expenses specifically associated with Wheelchair Project. Such assistance will help meet Andrew’s travel, accommodation and other costs associated with visiting Wheelchair Project in Thailand, and facilitate Andrew continuing to donate his time, skills, and energy to disability support and community development. All of Andrew’s expense claims are audited.

As with other Wheelchair Project roles, this expense-support model ensures that donations given for Wheelchair Project directly benefit the communities and initiatives for which they are intended.

Donations are tax-deductible.