Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Abstract:
Paraplegics, that is, persons with deformity beginning from the perineum down to the feet, constitute a significant percentage (8.2%) of the Nigeria population but, as it were, their welfare is at present being given very little attention in the ordinary conduct of affairs of the nation. Again, because a great majority of these individuals are from lowly background, coupled with the fact that they are eternally under morbid conviction of human suffering, they are seen as social misfits and by that token they ironically attract bare pity, but very little compassion from the various publics. Holding this in mind, the study points the way to the needs for the application of paraplegic-centricity, modulor design concept in developing mobility aid that can secure maximum harmony, comfort and utility. Accordingly, and in consideration of their pitiful condition, this study, in consonance with the great attention being paid to their conditions elsewhere in advanced nations, was set afoot to design and develop a monocoque?never a wheel chair, but a modular automotive on three wheels?that can address their mobility challenges, and in particular afford them the great opportunity of accessing points of service provision such as educational facilities, craft centres, hospitals, shopping centres and recreational centres. The study also provides standard design of hallways, walkways, sidewalks, handrails that can be adopted in order to facilitate the use of monocoques and wheel chairs in built up environment. The monocoque developed has been tested and, in all modesty, has proved to be a triumph of good engineering and very smart performance. With the monocoque, a whole new world of enterprise culture opens up for the paraplegics in Nigeria, and developing nations in general

Keywords: paraplegic-centricity, postural angle, municipality, monocoque, repetitive strain injury [RSI]

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