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Wheels and Bones

Wheels & Bones is a free educational game about wheelchair repair and seating. Martin, a kind zombie, runs a repair workshop in a fantasy town with the help of Barty, a ghost who “watched the masters do it”. Inspect the chair, find the cause, pick the right tool and fix real faults: flat tires, caster flutter, wheel locks, spokes, bearings, cushions, joysticks, batteries, seat elevators and more. Then learn seating and positioning with Mortimer the necromancer, and earn your diploma at the Wheelwrights’ Guild.

Repair steps and facts are based on manufacturers’ service and owner’s manuals collected by BARC — Bay Area Repair Coalition, and on the Permobil Seating & Positioning Guide.

♥ Support GOAT

The first load takes about 20–40 seconds (8 MB). The game runs in your browser, nothing to install, and your progress is saved in your browser. Press Play fullscreen for the best view (Esc or the Exit fullscreen button at the bottom to leave), or open the game on its own page.

How to play

  • Mouse: click parts of the wheelchair to inspect them, choose a diagnosis, then pick a tool and click the part to fix it. The Hands and eyes tool is for looking and hands-on work: reading an indicator or a code, checking for wear, pressing, removing and refitting; footnotes from the real manuals are behind the book icons and the Manual notes button.
  • Keyboard: arrow keys move between items, Tab jumps between groups, Enter or Space selects, Esc goes back. Press F1 for all keys.
  • Found a mistake? Click the ⚑ flag in the game (or I disagree after a wrong answer) — your note goes straight to the developers.

Accessibility

  • The whole game can be played with the keyboard only.
  • Screen readers (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver) read the game: what is on screen, every choice, hints and the characters’ lines. Click the game or move focus into it; if your screen reader does not pass keys to the game, switch to focus mode (NVDA: Insert+Space).
  • No screen reader? Press F2 and the browser reads the game aloud.
  • R repeats where you are and what to do, T reads the whole screen, H gives a hint, C repeats what the client said.
  • Settings (gear icon): high-contrast background, instant text, reduce motion (turns off all animation; on by default if your system asks for less motion), text size, volume.
  • To leave the game with the keyboard, press F6 or Ctrl+L to go to the address bar.

FAQ

Is this the finished game?

Not yet. Wheels & Bones is a young project and this is an early demo. We keep adding repairs and fixing things, so some parts may change. If something looks wrong, tell us with the ⚑ flag in the game.

Where is my progress saved?

Only in your browser, on this device. There are no accounts. Another browser or device starts a new game, and a private window or clearing site data erases the progress. The game on this page and on its own page keep separate progress.

Do you collect any data?

No. The game has no accounts, ads or tracking. We only receive the feedback you choose to send with the ⚑ flag or I disagree: your comment, a screenshot of the game at that moment, and which repair and step it was. Please don’t write personal information in your comment.

Can I play on a phone or tablet?

It works best on a computer with a mouse or keyboard. On a tablet or phone, press Play fullscreen and turn the screen sideways. Better touch support is coming.

This game is for learning. When you repair a real wheelchair, follow its manual or ask a qualified technician. Code: MIT license; game content: CC BY-SA 4.0 — share and adapt with credit to GOAT — Grassroots Open Assistive Tech. Brand names belong to their owners.