Rain and the threat of thunderstorms did not deter visitors from attending the re-scheduled ATSA Expo in Canberra.
Visitor numbers were above last year’s event with those who spoke to F2L delighted to be finally “out and about” with Covid for now not makings its presence felt from the happy crowd. There was much to see with exhibitors displaying some innovative new products and devices.
Among the new products attracting attention were:
At the Astris PME stand it was the TIL spinal support system from Germany in the spotlight. This innovative product that was launched at the expo is designed for children or young adults, is adjustable from prone to vertical positions and available in fours sizes.
The latest model in the Vela Tango office chair “is to our knowledge the only office chair with an easily accessible handbrake to lock the back wheels,” according to Wim Hartog from Wila Innovations. The chair comes with electric height adjustment, forward tilt for getting easily out of the chair and easy-rolling wheels.
Visitors to the Linds Rehabilitation Equipment stand got their first peek at the Alltrack M3, “the only adult Latitude wheelchair on the market”, according to OT Lauren Hunter. It goes from a wheelchair to flat on the floor, designed to assist people easily transfer from the floor or who need to interact from floor level. Designed in Canada it coverts easily to a power chair, has a mid-wheel drive base, dual suspension and 136K weight limit.
Another first showing was the Dualer 2-in-1 powerchair that coverts from RWD to FWD for outdoor and indoor use with a power seat that raises to 13cm and “was very popular with OTs at the expo and is competitively priced,” according to Merits NSW and ACT manager, Greg Coman.
Also making its debut at the show was the Cavalier Walker, from the inventor of Frame Running. This unique walking solution allows the user to easily steer the front wheels and is suitable for indoors and outdoors. Available in four frame sizes and a variety of seat support options, from Deejay Medical.
For those needing back or head support in a seating system outside a wheelchair there is PolySpine, a device that can be adjusted to spinal changes from toddlers and up to adults. The device is ideal for outdoor activities and can be fitted to a kayak or beach wheelchair. To sign up for a pre-trial of the product go to www.polyspine.com.
F2L will have more on the Canberra expo in next week’s newsletter.