Tag: wheelchair users

KEW GARDENS, N.Y. - The United Spinal Association has launched a disaster preparedness initiative for individuals with spinal cord injuries and disorders designed to lessen the effects and risks associated with natural or human-caused disasters. “Read to Roll” addresses the significant challenges individuals living with disabilities face when disasters strike, especially those who rely on power wheelchairs, ventilators and other medical equipment and supplies. “Our goal is to help...

BURNET, Texas - With a Bluetooth-enabled specialty drive control and now a video game that can be used as a training and assessment tool, Gabriel Romero feels like Stealth Products is finally in a place where it's keeping up with mainstream technology.“My background is in computer science, so anything involving programming or electronics in our industry, I've taken to,” said Romero, vice president of sales and marketing for Stealth Products, a division of Quantum Rehab. “It's...

WASHINGTON - When wheelchair users rolled onto Capitol Hill in June to advocate for a number of issues, they had official support from NRRTS for the first time.NRRTS was a “Capitol” sponsor for the United Spinal Association-organized Roll on Capitol Hill, a $20,000 commitment.“As the (manufacturer, provider and user communities) work together more, we saw this as an opportunity to show our cohesiveness,” said Weesie Walker, executive director of NRRTS. “We're all working...

WASHINGTON - More than 150 wheelchair users and advocates are prepping to roll on Capitol Hill in June to lobby for improved health, independence and quality of life for people living with spinal cord injuries and disorders.“This year is a crazy, busy year,” said Alex Bennewith, vice president of government relations for United Spinal Association, which hosts the event. “It's the first year of a new administration, so there are a lot of things that are different than previous years....

The Access Strength is making it easier than ever for wheelchair users and those with disabilities to pump iron.Various universities, hospitals, community centers and care facilities have already ordered The Access Strength, a fitness machine that can be used by anyone regardless of ability, which took “Best in Show” at the recent International Design Excellence Awards.“We built, designed and engineered it from the ground up to remove the barriers that are found in traditional systems,”...

PITTSBURGH - If there's one group of HME consumers that has an ongoing interest in incorporating new technology into their routines, it's wheelchair users. Too often, however, they don't get asked what changes they'd like to see in the equipment that plays an integral role in their daily lives.So says Rory Cooper, associate dean for inclusion and distinguished professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology at the University of Pittsburgh. That's why he and some UPitt colleagues...

As a result of its new partnership with Comfort Medical, Wheel:Life has launched Comfort Conversations, a peer support program.The blog series, written by Comfort Medical Ambassadors for wheelchair users, tackles a variety of subjects from limited hand dexterity to the perception of beauty in society.“These conversations are written by wheelchair users who are well-placed in the community to help people explore how they feel about and address issues that they may be struggling with,”...

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. ­- Comfort Medical and Wheel:Life have partnered to introduce Comfort Conversations, a peer support program. Comfort Medical Ambassadors will share thoughts, perspective and advice on a variety of topics including relationships, lifestyle and employment, according to a press release. “We think this engagement will only lead to better service, more opportunities to assist in the marketplace, and a stronger connection with the community we serve,” said Jeff McDaniel,...

SAN FRANCISCO - Among the fanfare during the keynote address at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference on June 13 was the announcement that an upcoming free software update for the watchOS will include an app specific for wheelchair users.“The team has been working hard to enable features to allow more people to use the activity apps, and one group that we've been thinking a lot about is wheelchair users,” said Jay Blahnik, director of fitness and health technologies for Apple, during...