The ATSA Sydney Expo was my first disability expo, and I had a fabulous time! As a wheelchair user it was helpful to see so many different mobility aides all in one place, from walkers to scooters and wheelchairs, both manual and electric, and compare their differences.
Being able to speak with the people working at the booths was useful too as they were able to show me exactly what each device could do from an expert position, and expo visitors were also able to test drive some of the equipment.
I don’t often get many things to choose from as far as movement goes. It is much nicer to go to a physical space and see everything, rather than trying to look online and book an appointment with one or two companies.
Aside from mobility aides, the expo had beds, hoists, shower aides, adaptive clothing, kitchen aides and more. There was something to make most aspects of daily life easier and provide more independence, with many of the devices on show innovative and trendy.
Not only was there equipment for different situations but also devices for all ages. People with disability have particular styles, like everybody else. The equipment geared to children was brightly coloured with pictures, while devices for adults had colour options from bright to neutrals and darker shades in between.
When I got my first wheelchair at 20 there were no such options and I would have much preferred wheelchair shopping here!
I left the expo with a new pair of adaptive shoes, an idea of which power chair to go for next, ready to order an adaptive kettle and with a huge smile on my face!
Caption: Caitlin Maynard with PARO Therapeutic Robot