Wheelchair Foundation
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2008-06-13T10:48:04Z
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[[Image:Wheelchair Foundation Logo.gif|thumbnail|right|Wheelchair Foundation Logo]]
The '''Wheelchair Foundation''' (WF) is a [[non-profit organization]] founded in June 2000 by real estate developer [[Ken Behring]], and based in [[Blackhawk, California]]. The foundation partners with donors (individuals, groups and companies) to provide [[wheelchair]]s to people who need them but can not afford them, mostly in [[developing nation]]s. As of November 2007, WF has delivered over 645,000 wheelchairs to people in need in 150 nations.
The foundation partners with various [[service organization]]s, including [[Rotary International|Rotary Clubs]], the [[Knights of Columbus]] and [[Sister Cities International]], to raise the funds for the wheelchairs, to staff wheelchair distributions, and to deliver the wheelchairs around the world.
The WF International Board of Advisors includes a number of current and former heads of state and celebrities, including co-chairs [[Juan Carlos I of Spain|Juan Carlos]] and [[Queen Sophia of Spain|Sophia]] of [[Spain]], as well as [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] and [[Nelson Mandela]].
There is considerable criticism of the work of the Wheelchair Foundation, never acknowledged by Behring and his aides, that donations of wheelchairs in low-income countries have very substantial disadvantages. The one-size fits-all philiosphy denies the need to idnividually fit wheelchairs to the recipients, and the practice of delivering wheelchairs in large numbers, without understanding the wheelchair production activities - often infant - within a country, can have a devastating effect on developing indigenous capacity and sustainability.
The [[Blackhawk Museum]], also founded by Behring, houses a 3,000 square foot showcasing the Wheelchair Foundation's work around the world.
==External links==
*[http://www.wheelchairfoundation.org/ Wheelchair Foundation official website]
[[Category:Organizations established in 2000]]
[[Category:Charities based in the United States]]
[[Category:Non-profit organizations based in California]]
[[Category:Wheelchair organizations]]
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