Hand Pumps for Persons with Disabilities for WASH

GlobalGiving supports a variety of projects aimed at improving Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) for marginalized communities around the world, including persons with disabilities. One such project concept could involve the design and installation of hand pumps that are accessible for persons with disabilities.

Objective:

To ensure that persons with disabilities (PWD) have equal access to safe and clean water sources by installing specially designed, accessible hand pumps in rural communities. This project will improve the quality of life for persons with mobility impairments by providing them with accessible water points for daily use, while promoting health and hygiene in the community.

Key Goals:

1. Increase Access to Safe Water: Provide reliable and safe water sources that are accessible to individuals with physical disabilities.
2. Improve Hygiene and Sanitation: Ensure persons with disabilities can maintain proper hygiene, reducing the risk of waterborne diseases.
3. Empower Persons with Disabilities: Enhance independence for individuals with disabilities by reducing the physical barriers they face in accessing water.
4. Raise Awareness: Increase community awareness around inclusive WASH practices, ensuring that everyone in the community has equal access to essential services.

Activities:

1. Design and Adaptation of Hand Pumps:

   • Work with engineers to create ergonomic, user-friendly hand pumps that can be easily operated by individuals with physical disabilities, including features such as lever extensions, lower installation height, and durable handles.
   • Adapt existing hand pumps to make them more accessible, such as ensuring they are wheelchair-friendly and can be operated from a seated position.
   • NDF seeks your kind attention for this project as well

Access to clean water is a fundamental human right, yet individuals with disabilities often face significant barriers in accessing this vital resource. This project aimed to install accessible hand pumps tailored for persons with disabilities in underserved communities, enhancing their quality of life and promoting inclusivity in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices.

Objectives

• Increase Access to Clean Water: Install hand pumps designed for ease of use by persons with disabilities.
• Promote Inclusivity: Engage the community in understanding and supporting the needs of individuals with disabilities.
• Enhance Health Outcomes: Improve water quality and availability, reducing waterborne diseases.

Project Activities

Needs Assessment

A thorough needs assessment was conducted in the targeted communities to identify specific requirements and challenges faced by persons with disabilities in accessing water.

Design and Development

Collaborating with engineers and disability experts, we designed hand pumps that accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility aids, ensuring ease of use.

Installation

Total Hand Pumps Installed: [13]
Pumps were strategically located near community centers and residences of persons with disabilities to maximize accessibility.

Community Training

Workshops were held to educate community members about the importance of inclusivity and how to operate and maintain the new hand pumps.