Our Mission
Learn about our work with open-source accessible, modular designs
Our Key Goals
Our mission empowers individuals with mobility challenges by providing fully
accessible, customizable, open-source designs for durable medical equipment (DME).
Control and Power
to the People
Users and technicians have the right to repair without unnecessary constraints or corporate interference.
Protect and Support
the Creators
Provide creators with a platform to showcase their designs and discuss with like-minded individuals.
Our Core Principles
At The Mobility Independence Foundation (The MIF), we believe that freedom of movement is a human right.
Complete Access to Design Files
Every user should have full access to the design files, schematics, and instructional guides necessary to build, maintain, and customize their equipment. This openness promotes autonomy for users and ensures access to technology that meets the demands of each individual’s lifestyle.
Defend from
Corporate Exploitation
Corporate entities have long monopolized the DME industry, making equipment costly and inaccessible for many users. The MIF is committed to resisting corporate monopolization of open designs and preventing large companies from profiting off of community-led innovation without compensation. Contributions to our designs by for-profit organizations should align with our mission of accessibility, fairness, and empowerment for all users. We love to partner with manufacturers to help bring these designs to life.
Ensure User Privacy & Protection
Privacy is non-negotiable. All designs must prioritize user safety and respect privacy. Devices designed through The MIF contain no hidden data-collection mechanisms or telemetric devices without transparent, user-initiated consent.
Build to Empower
Our set of principles for hardware design holding designers and developers accountable to people reliant on their creations, all while respecting the original creators’ rights to distribute, share, and continually improve these designs.
The primary goal is to put control directly in the hands of mobility device users, enabling users and technicians to adapt, repair, and improve their equipment as they see fit, without unnecessary constraints or corporate interference.
The secondary goal is to support and protect the engineers and innovators who contribute to our mission. While we strive for universal access to open-source DME, we also respect the rights of creators to ensure their contributions remain available, accessible, and attributed.
All submissions for hardware designs should meet the following requirements
Open-Source
Release under the (open-source license), meaning disabled individuals may utilize, modify, and/or adapt designs for personal use.
Drawings
Detailed instructions; Schematics and technical drawings; 2D and 3D files; Digital models
Technical Assistance
If any components require assembly or fabrication by an experienced technician, provide detailed instructions for researching and contacting technical experts, hobby shops, and maker’s spaces.
Proof of Concept
Showcase how an individual with reasonable assistance would successfully use the design and achieve the product in a reasonable and practical manner.
Inventory
Parts manual with complete inventory of the design including:
All hardware (nuts, bolts, screws, springs, etc.); Part numbers; Description of relevant specifications; Purchase availability; Prices per unit.
Customization
All designs must contain easily alterable, swappable, upgradeable features, and components; provided the original design does not adequately fit the user’s needs.
Readability
Step-by-step guides in simple English
Assume individuals have no technical knowledge or expertise throughout the entire process.