(Here we offer a full translation of the content of our web page. This post is provisional, but will serve until such time as we can offer a complete reproduction of each page layout in English.)

Welcome!

We are Autonomía, Libertad en Movimiento (ALEM), a civil association created in February of 2005 with the goal of creating projects and programs which could provide employment and training for people with disabilities. This goal has been accomplished through the planning, design, installation and operation of a workshop for bicycles, tricycles and specialized wheelchairs.

We invite you to explore our website here and hope you will learn more about our history, work, services and our team.

Our Vision

-  That the state of Morelos be an inclusive community

-  That people with a disability and their social networks be recognized and valued for their gifts and talents, rather than their weaknesses and disabilities

-  That there be spaces in which we could encounter, know, and relate to one another without having to mask and hide what is imperfect or incomplete in us; recognizing that we need the other to complement ourselves, with each complement working differently in everyone; discovering that ‘difference’ is only a word and not a feeling borne from our human essence; within a structure that gives the right to education and dignified employment to people with a disability

Our Mission

-  To INFLUENCE the social representation of people with a disability

-  To INFLUENCE the workplace, creating spaces for comprehensive education

-  To CREATE vocational, technical, and informal educational training programs for people with and without a disability

-  To PROMOTE, GENERATE, and ARTICULATE comprehensive public policies with respect to the reality in which disabled people live, which are borne from the recognition of their diversity as subjects and actors in their own destiny; which respond to their needs, creating incentives to better their quality of life and civic participation

-  To FOSTER a culture of diversity, social inclusion and meaningful work

Our Services

At ALEM we also have the opportunity to engage in work which is not directly related to the creation/reparation of specialized bicycles, tricycles and wheelchairs. There are three major areas in which we offer our services:

WELDING

In the welding department, we work with an aluminum micro-fiber welder. Examples of items for which we have done welding: wrought-iron garden benches, shelving units for workshops, hand-rails for showers and bathrooms, among other particular work on wheelchairs and bicycles.

UPHOLSTERY

We sew products related to our wheelchairs (seats, backs, cushions, etc.) but our upholstery department has also produced spa masks, reusable shopping bags, and general needlework.

PAINTING

In this department, we do all of our own painting for wheelchairs. We also offer painting for automobiles & their parts, shelving units, benches, railings, and any other item for which a customer desires our wide selection of paint colors and styles.

Our Products

Daily-use wheelchair

Specifications for our daily-use wheelchair

-  Tubular structure 1” diameter, 20-caliber

-  Reclinable back

-  Finishing with electrostatic paint in a variety of colors (subject to availability)

-  Pneumatic rear wheels 24” by 1 3/8”

-  Aluminum rims

-  Steel body

-  Central axis of 3/4” with push system

-  Drive ring of 5/8”, 20-caliber, painted

-  Forward wheels 4” in diameter with double-bearing rotation and direction

-  Removable footrest with oval tubular structure

-  Supporting, independent armrest with safety-catch

-  Upholstery on back & seat, color at customer’s preference (subject to availability)

-  Approximate sale price (before tax): $3,500 pesos

Physically-active wheelchair

Specifications for our physically-active wheelchairs

-  Tubular structure 3/4” in diameter, 20-caliber

-  Finishing with electrostatic paint in a variety of colors (subject to availability)

-  Pneumatic rear wheels 24” by 1 3/8”

-  Steel body

-  Central axis of 3/4” with push system

-  Drive ring of 5/8”, 20-caliber, painted

-  Forward wheels 4” in diameter with double-bearing rotation and direction

-  Adjustable footrest with oval tubular structure

-  Retractable rear wheel

-  Vesture with vanguard design in a variety of colors

-  Seat cushion 5 cm. thick, with Velcro bands

-  Optional: Axes at diverse inclines, $500 pesos extra

-  Optional: Protective coat, $500 pesos extra

-  Approximate sale price (before tax): $4,000 pesos

Additional options

-  Aluminum-tube structure at 1”, 18-caliber

-  Chrome drive ring

-  4” forward wheels

-  Protective flap

-  Complete protective coat

-  Tires for wood floors

Aerodynamic Tricycle (foot-propelled)

Specifications for our aerodynamic tricycle:

-  Two 24” rims

-  Two 24” tires

-  Two push frames

-  Rear tire and rim of 20”

-  Upholstery of seat & back, variety of colors and designs

-  Electrostatic paint, variety of colors

-  1” steel tubing

-  1.5” steel tubing

-  Set of pedals

-  Approximate sale price (before tax): $4,000 pesos

Photos

Photos of our team & our workshop

Photos of our activities and events

Meet our team, get to know their work and see the various departments of our workshop.

ALEM and Social Service

In the three years of its existence, ALEM has had the pleasure of working with three volunteers – one each year – from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). What is the purpose of this exchange? For the church, the intention is to send young people who are committed to social service and justice out into the world, placing them with countries, peoples, and projects where they can understand their reality, way of life and what animates their most profound commitments. For ALEM, it gives us the chance to see a different reality and way of life. It allows us to share our reality, our lives, and our culture from our own perspective. We consider this exchange to be enormously important on an institutional level as well: not only do we learn from the person who is sharing their time with us but we are able to show and share our world with them, strengthening us mutually through this dynamic of knowledge and social empowerment.

Volunteers:

Peter Severson – 2009-2010. Peter is our current volunteer.

Alisha Ohlert – 2008-2009. Alisha was with us from August 2008 to July of 2009.

Jacob Anderson – 2007-2008. When Jacob did his social service with us, ALEM was just coming together as a project. He was with us through many highs and lows, which are part of growing as a group. His interaction with the group was always friendly and in solidarity. With him, we first began to collect information on the life stories of our members. We thank him for having been part of this experience!

Bulletins and newsletters

Here we offer our previous bulletins and newsletters for your reading pleasure.

Other posts

February 2010

Our February was quite busy. Thanks to our patrons and friends, we have been able to do the following activities:

Feb. 4th: Presentation of the theatrical work “La discapacidad no es como la pintan” in Tlaltitenango, Morelos

Feb. 11th: Thirty children from an elementary school in Jiutepec, Morelos visit the workshop.

Feb. 19th: Presentation of the theatrical work “La discapacidad no es como la pintan” in the main square of Cuautla, Morelos, at the request of the city council. A joint venture by the Instituto de Cultura, DIF Morelos and ALEM.

Feb. 25th: Composting workshop with Juan Luna Pacheco, director of Tierra Fértil, A.C. in Jiutepec, Morelos.

Feb. 26th: Presentation of the theatrical work “La discapacidad no es como la pintan” in the Señor del Pueblo church, Cuautla, Morelos.

March 2010

In March, we have been involved in the following activities:

Mar. 2nd: Twenty university students from Loyalist College in Belleville, Ontario, Canada visit the workshop.

Mar. 7th: ALEM ran an informational stand in Jiutepec, Morelos for a celebration surrounding International Women’s Day.

Mar. 18th: Entrepreneurial workshop with the Association of Mexican Women in Business of Morelos and FILOS XXI; Tecnológica FIRA, Tezoyuca, Morelos

April – June 2010

April – May: ALEM values the participation of its members in the work of other organizations and places. For example, one of our members, Alex, has participated in workshop on “Entrepreneurial Business” at UTEZ (Universidad Tecnológica Emiliano Zapata) and another, Roselia, participated in a series of workshops on baking and confections.

May 21st: A member of our team, Liliana, participated in a workshop entitled “How to turn adversity into opportunity,” coordinated by Lic. Raquel Levinsea.

May 24th: The team participated in a workshop given by DIF Morelos.

June 16th: The team participated in a presentation entitled “Democracy in the Family,” addressing topics such as family violence, the diversity of family structures and the dynamics of marriage and parenting. Workshop led by Hugo Rocha.

Coming up – July 1st: A group of university students from Augsburg College (in the U.S. state of Minnesota) will visit the workshop.