The disability industry comes out in force at the ATSA Independent Living Expos in Sydney and Brisbane in May. The shows bring the latest products and services for the disability sector together with a comprehensive conference program comprising clinical, paediatric and consumer presentations and workshops.
Some of the big names appearing at the Sydney expo are Permobil, Ottobock, Freedom Motors, GTK Rehab, Country Care Group and Invacare along with UK group Gordon Ellis & Co, Megalong Positioning Services, Dejay and ILS Pressure Care. There are several first time exhibitors including Amputees NSW, The Rhythm Village, See-N-Speak, Pelican Manufacturing – Sling Spector, Stayput Restraints and C-Squared Automation. Home Medical Products will unveil a prototype of a four wheel rotator, claimed to be the lightest and most compact on the market along with a new brand of manual handling products for domestic use called Signature Life that were launched in the US late last year.
A presentation on the growing incidence of shoulder problems as well as the use of wearable devices will be given by Max Mobility CEO Dr Mark Richter. He discusses more about the advances in coping with shoulder pain in this issue. (See following story.)
UK educator, Dr Barend ter Haar will speak about the specific clinical and social needs of children when it comes to designing equipment. Prior to the expo he spoke to F2L about the current developments taking place in pressure care and assistive technology. (See following story).
Best practice in gait rehabilitation will be addressed by Ambuthera CEO, Helmut Krause while Invacare Canada vice-president for seating Judy Rowley, will deliver the latest positioning options for mobility systems. Other presentations explore issues relating to vehicle safety, sexual health, leisure and recreation and the latest information on the NDIS.
The series of workshops cover a number of topics including back supports and their impact on seating, assistive technology and accessible solutions for the home, managing urinary incontinence and wheelchair seating options.
There will be 138 exhibitors at the Sydney Expo and 90 exhibitors in Brisbane made up of international manufacturers, local small businesses and not-for-profit organisations.
The expos are sure to have something of interest for everyone and that includes consumers, care givers, allied health practitioners, equipment funders and support organisations, ATSA, executive officer, David Sinclair told F2L. He said this year’s events are committed to showcasing a broad range of the latest assistive technologies and lifestyle services for people with disability, seniors and carers.
“The world-class education conference program supports not only the allied health practitioner but the consumer as well,” Sinclair said. “The quality of the presenters is second to none, with speakers from the UK, Italy, Germany, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.”
“With the changes that the NDIS and Age Care Reform are creating, everyone needs to be better equipped to understand what options are available when it comes to choice and control that really means empowerment through greater knowledge from these opportunities,” he said.
The expo in Sydney will be held across two days from May 10-11 at the Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park. The one day event in Brisbane is on May 24 at the Royal International Convention Centre, RNA Showgrounds.
There will be an update on the Brisbane expo in the next edition of F2L.
Register now to receive free entry, free coffee and a free conference program. Phone 1300 789 845 or visit: www.atsaindependentlivingexpo.com.au or http://atsaindependentlivingexpo.com.au/sydney-conference-program/