Lego enthusiast constructs wheelchair ramps in Hong Kong - Elderly Woman in Hong Kong Constructs Slides for Rolling Toys
The creative use of Lego bricks to build wheelchair ramps by 67-year-old Rita Ebel, better known as the "Lego Grandma," is set to make a significant impact in Hong Kong. Ebel's innovative design is part of an initiative by the non-governmental organization "Wheel for Oneness" (WFO), which is organising an international conference on inclusion at the Hong Kong Baptist University from July 11 to 12 [1][2].
Ebel, who has been wheelchair-bound since a car accident in 1994, handcrafts the individual pieces for the ramps in her store in Hanau city centre. Her ramps have already been installed in various cities across Europe, France, and potentially Italy, Austria, and Spain [1].
The Lego ramp in Hong Kong, set to be the widest in the world at 30 meters, will be 10 centimeters high. The record attempt will take place during the international conference on inclusion, and Ebel will be accompanied by her granddaughter [1][2]. After the record attempt, the ramp will be dismantled, and the Lego blocks will be donated as material for custom-made ramps for local businesses and catering establishments.
The WFO members in Hong Kong have built various sample ramps and mobilised students for the upcoming record attempt. The colourful ramps have already proven to make high steps more accessible for people in wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers in cities across the globe [1].
The Lego ramps in Hong Kong are part of an expansion of the concept to China. The WFO presented the idea for a record attempt, and Ebel was invited as an honorary guest. The international conference on inclusion in Hong Kong is being organised by the WFO and will take place at the Hong Kong Baptist University from July 11 to 12 [1][2].
Ebel expressed her excitement about the record attempt, which will be unofficial and not supervised by the Guinness Book of Records. The ramps based on Ebel's idea are being introduced in Hong Kong to make buildings more accessible for wheelchair users, marking a significant step towards promoting inclusivity in the city.
Sources: [1] https://www.wfo.de/en/ [2] https://www.rbb24.de/nachrichten/rbb-kultur/rbb-kulturzeit/lego-rampe-fuer-rollstuhlbenutzer-in-hongkong-100.html
In the context of the Lego ramp initiative by "Wheel for Oneness" (WFO) in Hong Kong, it's worth noting that vocational training programs could be implemented to teach adults with disabilities the skills necessary to construct these ramps, thereby promoting employment opportunities in the health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise sectors. Furthermore, the scientific findings in the field of ergonomics and disability studies could be utilized to improve the design of these ramps, ensuring they are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing, aligning with the community policy of inclusivity and accessibility.
