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Shona McDonald

Leveraging live impact data Shona McDonald's work drives disability focused social change through innovative solutions that transform personal experiences and provide opportunities, choices, and access for all.
ShonaquipSE use the design, manufacture and sale of rural appropriate products together with Early Childhood Development programs and community based outreach clinic services to build more inclusive and equitable societies for over 1 billion people in the world who experience barriers to inclusion due to disability. ShonaquipSE is the only ISO 13485, FDA and CE certified wheelchair manufacturing company in Africa and directly assist over 20000 clients pa.

Negative attitudes towards disability from friends, family, and the medical profession, following the birth of one of her daughters inspired her to create effective mobility and accessible health care and educational solutions which have not only changed perceptions and the landscape of disability inclusion across the region but are informing global standards and delivery practice models.

As a self-taught entrepreneur, she is using a multiple hybrid structure to systemically influence disability policy and practice, advocating for rights and strengthening referral pathways and support systems for people with disabilities. She is an Endeavor Entrepreneur, Ashoka Fellow, RESNA Fellow, and technical advisor to WHO, USAID and CHAI.

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Shonaquip
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Model
Hybrid Social Enterprise
Sectors
Education; Sustainable Development
Headquarters
South Africa
Areas of Impact
Africa, Eswatini, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho

Shonaquip

Shonaquip offers an innovative approach in addressing the unique mobility needs of wheelchair users. It offers devices that fit the unique needs of the individuals and provides support services and training for wheelchair users and their caregivers, family members and healthcare workers.

Shonaquip provides community-based clinical services and training workshops on proper wheelchair fitting and the importance of postural support to therapists and associated professionals across South Africa's nine provinces, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland and Namibia. Through partnerships with governments, civil society, universities and the private sector, Shonaquip plays a leading role in improving the quality of life for people with mobility disabilities, in particular children, through enhanced services and the provision of customized, environmentally appropriate equipment. For example, its Madiba Buggy (in honour of Nelson Mandela’s traditional name) was the first South African posture support wheelchair for children affected by cerebral palsy. It can be used on uneven terrain such as sand, rocks and hilly areas, and is now being redesigned to be more cost efficient and exportable.

Some 60% of Shonaquip's income is generated from government business, with 25% coming from private clients and medical insurers, and 15% from humanitarian agencies and NGOs. It works closely with government, civil society and the private sector to improve the lives of children with mobility disabilities. Its community-based programmes have a holistic approach and focus on building longstanding capacity for communities to sustain inclusive societies. It partners with communities to deliver training, community outreach, clinical assessment, fitting and review services. Its capacity building programmes, training and other support services empower children with mobility challenges, their families, caregivers and communities.

It works at all levels, from individuals, care facilities and schools to government hospitals. It supplements these programmes with social work and clinical services. Its award winning, occupational therapy-designed, inclusive early childhood development (ECD) skills training programme is often the initial introduction to its work and is globally unique in combining both occupational therapy and ECD insights appropriate for caregivers in low-resource communities. In addition to community-based training and advocacy, it partners with governments to develop referral pathways for families.

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