For the first time in its 20 year history, the ATSA (Assistive Technology Suppliers Australia) Independent Living Expo opened in Canberra.
ATSA executive officer, David Sinclair, said the show had already proven to be a great success. “There has been a good number of visitors through the door, the presentations in the seminar program have been excellent and very well attended, including the Therapeutic Goods Administration presentation which included a number of important updates,” Sinclair told F2L.
Among the more than 50 exhibitors were a number of new products. At the TAD Australia stand was the Freedom Wheels Voyager. Designed for mid-teens to adults who require a level of support riding a bike, the bike can be customised to each user. Users can receive a free assessment with a TAD occupational therapist to try the bike out. TAD can then add push bars or tow bars, bigger or smaller seats, whatever is required to help keep their feet on the peddle and get people riding.
A first time exhibitor at an ATSA expo was Community Housing Canberra (CHC), that is in the process of building homes in Canberra that meet the high physical support level for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA.) The organisation is exhibiting to take advantage of showing people what it can offer and provide. CHC currently have a tenanted house in MacGregor with two other properties in Canberra being developed that will be available in January.
Another first-time exhibitor was the ACT Deafness Resource Centre, who chose to exhibit because of the opportunity to show the independent living side of things, as a lot of the equipment and information provided enables people to remain in their home and live independently.
At the Country Care/KCare stand, there were a number of new products on display. The Patient Assist Rail, which is designed to assist patients getting in and out of bed, is suitable for use in any sized beds and slides under mattresses for easy application. The rail assists users to change positions in bed and has multiple grip points. KCare also had the Dar-Avoid pressure care commode seat, one of the highest levels of pressure relieving commode seats on the market. Featuring multiple layers of high-quality foam that are contoured, maximising surface area contact for the occupant, the seat is designed to offload pressure from the ischial tuberosity (IT) and coccyx areas. The seat is customisable and can be modified to suit individual requirements.
Aidacare had the new Raphael Quattro lift recline chair on show that provides infinite positioning due to the four motor engineering, including independent adjustable headrest, back, leg and lumbar support functions. The chair has integrated lift and recline functions for easy sit to stand and maximum comfort and features intuitive head rest support. Also on display at Aidacare’s stand was the Aspire over-bed table that has recently been redesigned with an 800mm base to fit lift recline chairs.
At the Invacare stand, was the Kuschall Superstar wheelchair. The 2.0 version of the wheelchair is set to be released at the end of this year. It is designed to enhance a direct drive by correctly positioning users in an optimal position, increasing the propelling performance and reducing the risk of injured upper body extremities.
The ATSA Independent Living Expo is open today until 4:00pm. For more information, visit www.atsaindependentlivingexpo.com.au.
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