Solutions for helping adults and children with daily living challenges were among the many new products on show at the recent ATSA Expo in Sydney. From the latest in AT, to adaptive clothing and cutting edge scooters and wheelchairs. Here are a few takeaways:
Making its debut at the show was the Premium Walking Stick from Aucuro. Designer and founder Michael Cornish told F2L the product is medical grade and shimmed for a perfect fit. “It won’t wobble or make a clicking sound with an American walnut handle that is hand finished by me.” It is height adjustable with invisible adjustment holes, pin lockable with a 7000 series aluminium shaft, “the strongest you can buy.” It also has a natural rubber stopper, eight adjustable positions with 20ml increments and comes in eight sizes. Also getting interest from visitors to the stand was the Dynamic Shower Holder, for handsfree full body showering in a seated position. Features include a telescopic arm, safety adaptor and height adjustable clamp.
Also making a first appearance was the PARO Therapeutic Robot, a fluffy baby seal, designed to help those with cognitive and developmental disorders, available in a range of colours from Alpha Lifecare. Company executive, Selwyn Cox, told F2L TGA approval is pending. “As well as people with dementia it offers extended support in a variety of other scenarios too”.
Golfers and potential golfers would have been impressed with the new ParaMotion from Aidacare, an all- terrain electric wheelchair for people with disabilities designed for outdoor activities. It assists with lower body immobility or restricted function with a sit-to-stand movement to help with rehabilitation. Pictured testing the wheelchair was occupational therapist Erin O’Leary from Dubbo, NSW who summed up her visit to the expo to F2L as a “refreshing opportunity to catch up with industry companies, products and check out the features being offered”.
Medix21 had two new devices for children. The Pilot is a crawling aid for those 1-5 years, developed to give assistance for lifting the pelvis, assuring weightbearing through hip joints and down to the knees. Fitted with two multi-directional roller balls and two fixed directional rear wheels to keep kids on track. The Krabat Pirat is an innovative hydrotherapy floating aid for training and playing in the water , with the child secured on a padded board with an optional back strap.
Atto Australia launched an Israeli innovation, the Atto Mobility Scooter, a stylish foldable solution in a lightweight aluminium chassis with flight-approved battery and charger. It carries three height adjustments, folds into two segments for easy carrying and storage and features a trolley mode to steer and walk when folded. There is ample legroom and armrests, 12cm ground clearance, and offers 20km of continuous driving or four hours on average on a full charge with charge option on or off-board.
Still on wheels was the new Rocky 12 off-road four-wheel scooter from Redgum Brand & +Shoprider. This next generation model comes with a high back seat with headrest, a gas adjustable steering tiller, loop handle with finger operated controls, rear wheel drive and emergency hand brake. There are also rear lights with brake lights, full LCD display, large battery capacity – 2 x 100 amps, and a removable shopping basket.
Australian owned and operated group TopGun Mobility (No…not the movie) displayed a range of scooters including the Albatross golf with 250kg load capacity and the Tranzforma for indoor and outdoor mobility with puncture-proof tyres and drink holder. Both scoot in with a selection of colour options. Finally, there is the Safari, with an impact resistant weather canopy for taking on the elements.
Golfers and potential golfers would have been impressed with the ParaMotion from Aidacare, an all- terrain electric wheelchair for people with disabilities designed for outdoor activities. It assists with lower body immobility or restricted function with a sit-to-stand movement to help with rehabilitation. Pictured testing the wheelchair was occupational therapist Erin O’Leary from Dubbo, NSW who summed up her visit to the expo to F2L as a “refreshing opportunity to catch up with industry companies, products and check out the features being offered”.
And for something completely different, Wila Innovations released the TiPY a keyboard concept that can be operated with a left or right hand. Smaller than an A4 page it has an integrated mouse plus all the functions of a computer including keyboard shortcuts, texts and battery, connected via Bluetooth. It weighs 400g and has a USB-C port for the 1m USB cable with a key input for 12 languages.
Fashion came to the expos for the first time this year with some great adaptive clothing ideas for women, men and children as EveryHuman and Active Adaptive Clothing took to the wheelchair runway with stylish clothes, shoes and accessories. It was a great leap forward when it comes to creating designs for people with disability. Some of these that caught attention were jeans with higher backs to avoid slip-downs when seated, small bags with slide-on attachments for wheelchairs and stylish capes for people with spinal cord injury. And it turned out to be the biggest crowd puller at the seminar programs.