Wheelchair skills that make a difference
All the Right Moves
Many years ago, when I was new at the helm of Mobility Management, I went to watch a practice featuring a local wheelchair basketball team for kids.
T he players were 10 to 12 years old, and practice was after school, so the gym’s bleachers were sparsely filled — lots of moms, many with younger children in tow. This was before smartphones, so the moms were mostly chatting; one was knitting.
Trying not to look suspicious or like too much of an amateur, I sat on a lower bench near center court, close enough to overhear my fellow spectators.
T he first surprise was the sheer volume of wheelchair basketball. It’s loud, with ringing sounds of metal hitting metal. I flinched with every collision N o one else, including toddlers in the stands, seemed to mind.
The second surprise came several minutes into the practice, when a young boy fell forward out of his chair and lay sprawled on the court.
N o referee blew a whistle to stop the action. No coach leaped forward. No teammates rolled over to help. And no mom jumped from the stands to run onto the court.
Instead, practice went on, unhindered. On the court, the boy grabbed onto the front of his wheelchair and laboriously worked to haul himself up.
“Isn’t anybody going to help him?” I almost wailed. Some of the moms turned toward me; others glanced, completely unconcerned, at the court, then resumed their conversations.
Politely but practically, the woman nearest me asked, “What do you want them to do?”
“Stop and help him back into his chair?” I said. But by then, I was feeling unsure. The boy had settled himself back into his chair and was starting to wheel back toward his teammates.
The woman shrugged. “And if they do that, what’s going to happen in the actual game? He has to learn how to recover on his own.” She smiled reassuringly without even glancing toward the court. “He’s fine.”
T hat was my introduction to the importance of wheelchair skills. While the kids I watched that day were quite adept indeed, there are so many more skills — from efficient propulsion and driving to navigating ramps to transferring — that are imperative in an often inaccessible world. Read all about it starting on page 12. m
Laurie Watanabe, Editor in Chief lwatanabe@wtwhmedia.com @CRTeditor
March 2025
mobilitymgmt.com
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Mobility Management (ISSN 1558-6731) is published 5 times a year, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/ October, and November/December, by WTWH Media, LLC., 1111 Superior Avenue, 26th Floor, Cleveland, OH 44114.
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Celebrating the Mobility Product Award Winners
Success can take many forms in Complex Rehab Technology (CRT). For a CRT provider, success might be “growing” a wheelchair without needing to order — and wait for — a new chair. For a consumer, a successful solution might help to optimize accessibility in small spaces. Active travelers might define success as mobility devices that easily take them where they want to go, while clinicians might define success as making power seating more accessible or being able to fine-tune positioning components.
Our 2024 Mobility Product Awards celebrate manufacturer and service provider achievements in many forms. But all the winners have this in common: They support success for clients, clinicians, providers, caregivers, referral sources and payers. And as a ripple effect, they support independence and therefore involvement in schools, workplaces, families and communities.
You’ll see Mobility Management’s 2024 winners here, including the categories for which they won. The 2025 Mobility Product Awards program opens later this year. m
Seating Systems and Head Positioning
EPiC Seating’s patented design uses an anatomical pivot point incorporating a stationary pelvic block below the lumbar spine, coupled with an articulating thoracic segment above the lumbar spine. This allows for true lumbar extension, enabling the patient to find their “ergonomic home” for sitting. EPiC uses postural variation combined with an anatomical pivot point to give patients the ability to change their posture without compromising their pelvic positioning. This unique function enables the patient to relax into the back support, reducing the amount of energy required to manage their posture, while also contributing to improved head position.
Stealth Products (800) 965-9229
stealthproducts.com
ep i C seating system
mobility product award winners
ASL 125 Orbit Joystick
Alternative Driving Controls
The ASL 125 Orbit Joystick extremity control can be mounted for chin or hand use. It requires 50 grams of force to reach maximum speed, with full throw needing only 4 mm of movement. With a new polymer spring, the Orbit has a smooth driving experience that seamlessly moves through the full range of motion. A silicone cover over the chin cup is soft, easy to keep in place on the chin, and facilitates cleaning. The Orbit was designed for power chair riders with spinal cord injuries, arthrogryposis, spinal muscular atrophy, or other conditions with limited hand/head control.
Adaptive Switch Laboratories Inc. (830) 798-0005 www.asl-inc.com
Kalogon’s proprietary Advanced Pressure Management System uses machine learning with a network of air cells to intelligently adapt to micro-movements, dynamically redistributing pressure and maintaining optimal blood flow. This real-time pressure management is pivotal in preventing pressure injuries, enhancing skin protection and user comfort. The Orbiter Med’s air-based adjustability allows clinicians to make on-the-fly modifications based on patient needs, providing personalized support. App integration and direct power chair charging make this cushion even easier to use.
Kalogon (321) 465-4504
www.kalogon.com
Technician New Hire Program
Staffing Solutions
The ATLAS-FIOS New Hire Program recruits new talent and provides structure and a pathway to advancements, using promotions and pay raises to motivate technicians to stay with your business. The program is designed to reduce overall repair costs: It can save up to 80% of a new-hire salary for up to 18 months, and is designed to cover its cost within four months of the hire date. Hiring and retaining employees is difficult, and especially challenging for CRT/ HME technicians. This new program strives to help businesses grow while developing service departments that can become profit centers.
ATLAS-FIOS (503) 421-3783
atlasfios.com
The AXCEL Narrow was designed not just for performance and clinical efficacy, but also for service technicians, who asked for ease of setup, adjustments and serviceability. The frontwheel-drive power chair is 22.5" wide for adept maneuverability in small spaces and narrow hallways/door frames. Navigating uneven terrain is made easy thanks to 14" drive tires and large 9" rear casters. An independent hydraulic, high-performance suspension delivers a comfortable ride, while tool-free rear battery access and easy access to electronics were designed to support service technicians’ tasks.
Merits USA (941) 280-0402 meritsusa.com
Wheelchair Accessories
The EZ-Lift Wheelchair Seat with an anti-rollback feature promotes user independence and reduces strain on caregivers. It replaces the traditional sling seat on a manual wheelchair and provides adjustable seat lift assistance with up to 50 lbs. of upward lifting force without a battery or power source. The seat lift function also aids users while sitting down, so they don’t abruptly drop into the chair. It can be retrofitted onto wheelchairs and is compatible with most chairs with 16", 18" and 20" widths. The seat lift, which has a weight capacity of 250 lbs., can be removed during transport.
Direct Supply Inc. (414) 760-8413 directsupply.com
Mounting Hardware
Removable Insert Mount Bracket and Hardware allow seating teams to easily, securely adjust for height and depth adjustments of Miller’s standard insert mount hardware, and to quickly remove those assemblies for client transfer as needed. The low-profile bracket design features a spring-loaded plunger to allow insertion or removal of Miller’s hardware, with up to 2.5" of adjustment, in place, in .5" increments. Miller’s has a range of insert mount product shapes, sizes and collar configurations that can create solutions for nearly all mounting and support pad size requirements.
Miller’s Adaptive Technologies (330) 753-9799
www.millersadaptive.com
EZ-Lift Wheelchair Seat
Custom-Fabricated Seat Cushion (E2609)
Orbiter Med
Group 3 PWC, Multiple Power Options
Avid AXCEL Narrow
Removable Insert Mount Bracket
ROHO® Hybrid Select
Designed for skin protection and stability, the ROHO Hybrid Select combines the proven pressure relief of air with the stability of foam to support your daily mobility needs.
Enhanced Pelvic Stability & Positioning
A contoured foam base provides better control and balance.
Personalized Support
The exclusive ISOFLO Memory Control allows you to easily adjust and tailor your comfort with the push of a button.
Learn more about our Solutions for Every Body
mobility product award winners
EVO Rigid Program
Ultralightweight Growth Solutions
Peace of mind is priceless: That’s the key to Motion Composites’ EVO program, because a change in a wheelchair rider’s condition won’t leave the rider with an ill-fitting chair. Seating teams can choose a rigid wheelchair that meets the user’s current needs, with the confidence that they will be covered if changes occur. The program can provide a perfectly adjusted base frame replacement to ensure optimal fit and ride efficiency. And riders can keep their chairs during the process; when the new frame is ready, the rider goes to the provider for an in-house exchange.
Motion Composites (866) 650-6555
www.motioncomposites.com
Home Ramps
The Freedom Folding Ramp addresses a number of concerns seen in other ramps, such as assembly/disassembly: Its trifold design, plus the ability to split the ramp into three sections, is intuitive and simple. The ramp has handles and large wheels for convenient, suitcase-like transport (while splitting the ramp into three sections provides even more transport options).
The recycled-aluminum Freedom Folding Ramp has zero deflection on its walking surface during use, thus guaranteeing great durability. Safety features include tall sides and milled-in walking surface traction.
National Ramp (845) 358-0350
www.NationalRamp.com
Wheelchair Accessories
High-visibility orange was chosen as the Vision Package’s accent color because it enhances contrast and makes key wheelchair components — footplates, wheel locks, armrests — easier to see and recognize for riders with low vision or cognitive differences. The vibrant orange coloring is easily seen in various environments and is highly visible even in low light. The Vision Package addresses a very real, but overlooked need in the market in a simple, affordable way — while eliminating the need for seating teams to use their own colored electrical tape or similar materials.
Motion Composites (866) 650-6555
www.motioncomposites.com
Mobility Robotics
The Jaco Robotic Arm offers revolutionary technology for people with severe upper-extremity impairment and opens up a new world of independence. With the Jaco Robotic arm, users can now eat, drink, open doors, retrieve items, take medication, and operate environmental controls such as light switches and thermostats, among many other daily activities. Outside the home, the robotic arm can be used to press elevator and crosswalk buttons, and reach for items in grocery stores, via a three-fingered hand and arm similar in length to a typical human hand and arm.
Partners in Medicine LLC (314) 324-2470
partnersinmed.com
Planar Back & Laterals (E2620-2621)
A new approach to bespoke back support, the Matrx MAC multi-adjustable contour back series is completely configurable for the widest range of body shapes and conditions — while also being adjustable for postural changes. Suitable for tilt/recline, this modular back support features dual-layer foam for balanced comfort and support, or HUG StaminaFibre for enhanced immersion and envelopment. Interchangeable, ambidextrous laterals can be mixed and matched to provide bespoke trunk support for people with more complex postural needs. Its weight capacity is 300 lbs.
Motion Concepts (905) 695-0134
www.motionconcepts.com
Ultralightweight Wheelchairs
The TiLite X offers unmatched customizability, with more than 1 billion possible configurations. This chair was redesigned from the ground up with a single-piece side frame and a redefined, oval-shaped cross brace secured by C-shaped seat rail clamps for increased rigidity during propulsion. The new GearLock caster adjustment system provides single-tool caster squaring in 2" increments. Its weight remains best in class at 12.1 lbs. with an increased weight capacity of 300 lbs. The TiLite X also has an updated manufacturing process to get the chair into riders’ hands faster.
Permobil (800) 736-0925
www.permobil.com/en-us
Vision Package
Matrx MAC Back Series
Freedom Folding Ramp
Jaco Robotic Arm
TiLite X
mobility product award winners
Power Chairs, Uncoded by PDAC
The Quantum Outback is not just a cutting-edge 4x4 all-terrain power chair; it is also available with TRU-Balance 3 power positioning and optional power seat elevation, giving the user the ability to tilt, recline and elevate up to 10". The Outback has 15" pneumatic tires and Smooth Ride Suspension technology to ensure a comfortable ride and increase sitting tolerance. This combination results in a great ride, even off the beaten path. The Outback comes standard with a Q-Logic 3 controller and full lighting package for nighttime visibility. Its top speed is up to 5 mph, with a 6-mph package available.
Quantum Rehab (800) 800-8586
www.quantumrehab.com
Power-Assist Systems
Though the Empulse R90 is not the only push-assist device on the market, several key differences provide great benefits to riders. First, the wheel can be lifted by the touch of a button for zero rolling resistance when not needed. Second, the center wheel position does not impact the chair’s footprint and provides easy maneuverability. Third, a removable battery allows the rider to go further with a backup battery. The system’s discreet position below the seat maintains the chair’s original size and turning circle. A patent-pending V-LOCK docks the R90 to the receiver on the chair.
Sunrise Medical (800) 333-4000
www.sunrisemedical.com
Group 3 PWC, Multiple Power Options
The R-TRAK power base combines the stability of a classic rear-wheel-drive power chair with unprecedented comfort to offer an exciting option for riders who prefer a more stable base and enhanced outdoor capability when navigating aggressive terrain. The R-TRAK’s base is 24.2" wide for a more maneuverable driving experience versus other rear-wheel-drive bases. It has a top speed up to 7 mph, or 3.5 mph while elevated up to 10" with seat elevation deployed. The R-TRAK comes standard with 4-pole motors, integrated switch lights, and 14 unique color options.
Quantum Rehab (800) 800-8586
www.quantumrehab.com
The LECKEY MyWay+ has an innovative design that promotes child engagement and independence. Its open-frame design and supportive harness allow for hands-free interaction, enhancing peer-to-peer engagement and participation. The unique harness provides 360° trunk support, improving posture and stepping patterns, while hoisting loops simplify transfers. The frame’s versatile adjustments and durable casters enable both indoor and outdoor use, resulting in a personalized, adaptable solution and a world of possibilities for therapists and children alike.
Sunrise Medical (800) 333-4000
www.sunrisemedical.com
Power Wheelchairs, Travel, Standard
The QUICKIE Q50 R Carbon is designed for those seeking lightweight, portable mobility without sacrificing performance. With a transport weight of just 32 lbs., the Q50 R’s carbon fiber frame, magnesium wheels, and motors offer an incredibly strong, yet lightweight solution for riders who want to travel longer distances without the bulk of a large mobility device. The Q50 R has dual batteries with a 15-mile range and high-torque 250W brushless motors. The folding mechanism is simple; when folded, the Q50 R Carbon can rest upright on its anti-tips and can fit into small spaces and car trunks.
Sunrise Medical (800) 333-4000
www.sunrisemedical.com
Power-Assist Systems
The NAVIONE push rim assist can provide a hemi power-assist mode, side-slope assist, and extended coasting distance. The smart control system is Yamaha’s proprietary operating system to control all components as one system. Smart Tune software customizes sensitivity and driveability, and provides troubleshooting. Trained professionals can use Smart Tune to customize two different driving modes, including level of power and level of right- or left-arm assist. On average, riders can travel 12.5+ miles (nickel batteries) or 22.5 miles (lithium) per charge.
Yamaha Motor Corp. USA (714) 229-7959
yamahanavi.com
Quantum Outback
R-TRAK
Q50 R Carbon Folding Power Chair
Empulse R90
Gait Trainers
LECKEY MyWay+
NAVIONE Push Rim Assist
Free Form Seating
Complex Seating. Simplified.
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HCPCS Coded E2617 and E2609
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Back Kits available with a full range of sizes, shapes, padding/covers and mounting options.
ATP Series
Wheelchair skills can enhance riders’ opportunities
By Laurie Watanabe
Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) is defined by individualized configuration: Every seating and wheeled mobility system fits one person only.
The owner of that system is also unique — not just in personal goals and function, but also in how well and how fully that person uses that device. For every rider who casually pops wheelies to get over a curb — indeed, defying gravity — there is another rider who doesn’t know how … or where to start.
Everyday wheelchair skills — managing ramps, curbs, doorways, transfers, etc. — are essential to accessing the world. And successful skills all start with wheelchair setup.
Configuration is critical to wheelchair skills success
Leslie Wade, MOT, OTR/L, ATP, regional clinical education manager, Permobil Americas, said, “Learning to navigate an ultralight wheelchair can be a transformative journey, enhancing mobility, independence, and confidence. Whether you are a beginner starting with basic wheelchair skills, intermediate, or an advanced user, mastering
these skills can open up a world of possibilities. The first step is to provide the rider with an optimally configured ultralightweight wheelchair with an appropriate seating system.”
Michelle L. Lange, OTR/L, ATP/SMS, Access to Independence Inc., concurred. “I think it’s really important to say that there are so many factors that impact someone being successful in their mobility,” she said. “So sometimes someone will jump right into ‘I have to train you on a certain skill,’ but doesn’t realize that the person may not be successful because of other factors that haven’t been addressed yet. Some of them are really basic: If you’re not positioned well in your seat, you’re not going to use your mobility device optimally, whether it’s a manual chair or power chair. If it’s a manual chair and it’s not configured right, you can try to teach someone how to do a wheelie all day long, but they’re not going to be able to find that sweet spot.”
Lauren Rosen, PT, MPT, MSMS, ATP/SMS, program coordinator at the Motion Analysis Center, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital of Tampa (Fla.), has long used the “Cheetos” metaphor to describe what
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too frequently happens when an ultralightweight chair isn’t optimally configured for a pediatric client.
“When I start with the little ones, I talk to their parents about how we’re putting as little on the chair as possible to make them functional,” she said. “If I need a back with laterals, it’s on there, because I want the kid to be able to function. But I’m putting as little as I can to get the kid to where they need to be. I’m not ‘diagnosis seating,’ which is ‘You have spina bifida, so you need this chair with every piece of positioning equipment known to man.’ The wheels are way too far back, so you couldn’t pop a wheelie if you tried.”
Over time, that heavy, hard-to-maneuver chair can impact the child’s activity level. “I use the reference all the time that if my chair is hard to push, I’m not going to go outside and chase my friends around and play in the driveway,” Rosen said. “I’m going sit on the couch and eat Cheetos.”
As for power chairs, “Sometimes, rather small changes can really make a difference in this person being successful or safer in their mobility,” Lange said. “It’s also about how the chair is programmed — because someone may not be doing well navigating their environment because the chair is poorly programmed. You can program a chair well, but you can program it really badly to where it’s unsafe, where it’s practically undrivable.”
Identifying priority skills
When there are so many skills to learn — and in today’s rehab model, so little time for clinicians to teach them — what skills should seating teams prioritize?
For self-propellers, Wade said, “You start with basic wheelchair skills, such as proper pushing techniques, transfers and turning. Learning efficient pushing techniques in a properly fitted ultralightweight manual wheelchair will help reduce the risk of shoulder strain and maximize propulsion. Starting indoors on a flat smooth surface is easiest and allows the rider to focus on the technique. Learning how to maneuver in
tight spaces such as bathrooms, elevators, and through narrow spaces in the community is critical for independence in daily activities.
“Safe transfers to and from the wheelchair is another basic skill that is typically taught early on. Whether the rider is doing a stand pivot, squat pivot or using equipment such as a transfer board or caregiver assistance with a lift, a safe transfer is essential for independence. As the wheelchair rider learns these basic skills, they are gaining confidence and learning their balance to help move to more intermediate skills such as wheelies, pop-ups, and propelling over various surfaces like grass, carpet, and gravel. Different surfaces require different techniques.”
For power chair riders, Lange said, just driving the chair efficiently can be a challenge.
“It’s still amazing to me that tracking technologies are an optional feature,” she said. “Tracking is often not recommended, and is particularly important if this is someone who’s driving outside a lot. They’re going down a sidewalk, and they keep hitting those driveways, and they don’t have tracking technology. It’s up to the driver to keep compensating for that with the joystick or with their alternative driving method.”
Tracking technology “helps that chair stay on course. So if I’m giving a forward command, I can go all the way down the street, and even if I’m hitting some bumps in the road, I’m going to pretty much hold that forward course. I don’t have to compensate for all those environmental barriers. But the team has to remember that. Someone around that table has to say, ‘Let’s add on tracking technologies,’ because it’s typically not standard.”
Preparing for ‘oops’ moments
Rather than ultralight wheelchair riders living in fear of challenging scenarios, Rosen advocates for teaching skills ahead of time.
“It used to be, when I first started in this business, that you didn’t leave rehab till you could do a curb,” she said of spinal cord injury (SCI) clients. “You didn’t
Seeing my patients relate to and learn from their peers can be incredibly powerful
— Leslie Wade
leave rehab till you could upright your wheelchair. We had all these skills that you had to be able to do.”
That was back in the days when SCI patients stayed in rehab hospitals for longer periods. Today, SCI patients are discharged much more quickly, often at the expense of learning the skills they’ll need going forward.
“You used to have to be able to get yourself, if you spilled out of your chair, back into the chair and turn your chair right side up if it flipped,” Rosen said. “If you fell back in your chair and you were still in the chair, you could upright the wheelchair. If your legs are still hanging underneath it, and you’re looking up at the sky, and your butt is still basically in the chair, you can upright the wheelchair if you’re a para[plegic].
“You have to have really strong abs. But I would teach our patients how to do that. Not all of them left being able to do it, but I showed them that you could do it, that this was one way to get up if you get on the floor. We also talked about falling free of your chair, putting it upright, and how to get in it from the front if you needed to. We taught both ways.”
And of course, learning to pop a wheelie is a must.
“Within reason, I can pop a wheelie in just about any chair I sit in because I can find the balance point really quickly,” Rosen said. “I know how to find it because I’ve felt it with enough chairs that I just know.”
When demonstrating to new ultralight riders and their families, “I show them how little force and how little effort it takes for me to get there, and what that’s supposed to look like, and what that’s supposed to feel like,” Rosen added. Even if it’s possible to wheelie with anti-tip bars in place, “I want them to get rid of the tip bars,” Rosen said. “I want those to go eventually because in some cases, they do get in the way. They make the chair larger when you’re putting it into a vehicle. So if they can function without them, I would prefer to function without them.”
And — after finding a soft patch of grass to practice on — Rosen has taught clients how to fall. “You’ve got one hand behind your head and one hand over your knees. Because if you’re a para[plegic] or a quad[riplegic] who has no function in your legs, if you flip and you don’t put your arm there, you’re going to
break your nose with your knee. I was always told to teach people how to fall with one hand behind the head so you don’t hit your head on the ground, and one hand is blocking the knees.”
That patch of soft grass is also a great place to practice wheelies “because you’ve got more surface area contacting the ground than you do on a hard surface,” Rosen added. “That makes it easier to catch it, because you’ve got more grasp with the surface. And also if you do fall, it’s grass — not as bad.”
The clinician or other volunteer acts as the “spotter,” whose job it is to prevent falling during wheelie practice, and who brings along a gait belt or similar device. “You wrap it around the towel bar on the back of the chair, you keep it slack, and they learn to throw the wheelie and find [balance]. You’re standing right behind them, and you’ve got the belt when they’re coming back. If they go too far, they land on your arm, and you pull the belt, and you get them upright without them actually doing the full flip. That was taught to me when I was in PT school.”
Don’t overlook the chance for riders to learn from each other. “Connecting patients with peer mentors who have successfully mastered wheelchair skills can provide motivation, practical tips,
I was told to teach people to fall with one hand behind the head so you don’t hit your head on the ground
— Lauren Rosen
and the opportunity for sharing experiences,” Wade said. “I have witnessed the positive impact of peer learning firsthand! Seeing my patients relate to and learn from their peers can be incredibly powerful. When a wheelchair rider embraces the opportunity to enhance their mobility, they can take control of their journey.”
Learning skills for a lifetime
While seating specialists might teach their clients the ideal ways to perform wheelchair skills, clients are likely to adapt those skills to best fit their everyday lives.
“I teach you how to transfer when you’re in rehab,” Rosen acknowledged. “But if I look at your transfer a year later, it doesn’t look like how I taught you. You figure out your own technique.”
And even those techniques will change over time.
“As we age, our bodies and abilities change, and the need for wheelchair skills can change as the rider ages and/or their condition progresses,” Wade said. “As riders get older, they may benefit from learning additional or different skills to adapt to their physically changing needs and maintain their independence, health, safety, psychological and social well-being.
“Riders may experience a change in their endurance, strength, and joint integrity. They may develop pain or postural changes that lead to needing new techniques for propulsion or innovative technology such as a power-assist device for their ultralight wheelchair. Or they may need to switch to a power wheelchair and learn all-new wheelchair skills.”
You have to keep up with mobility training,” Lange said. “You have to revisit with that person as their equipment changes and their abilities change and their cognition changes and their environments change.”
Lange referenced the newly published second edition of Seating and Wheeled Mobility: A Clinical Resource Guide, which she and physical therapist Jean L. Minkel edited.
“I’m just so proud of all these wonderful authors,” Lange added. “The aging-with-a-disability chapter [chapter 27] was updated quite a bit and now has co-authors along with Susan. [Authors of that chapter are Susan Johnson Taylor, Bonita Sawatzky, and Lynda Bennett.] And those are definite factors because even if someone has a ‘non-progressive diagnosis,’ our skills change as we get older. This person may have been able to do something safely, but they may not be able to do anymore, or there’s an increased safety risk.
“So it’s figuring out: How do we do this differently? Maybe once upon a time, you could do that huge transfer from your chair right into the driver’s seat of your car, and then take this huge [wheelchair] and pull it up and put it over [to the side of the driver’s seat]. That’s a really hard thing to do. [Eventually], that way of getting in and out of your vehicle isn’t working anymore. We need to look at something different. Or maybe we look at how you’re getting in and out of bed, or transferring to a shower chair. We know, too — though this is getting better with a lot of technology out there — that someone who’s been self propelling for years has serious consequences to shoulders, elbows, wrists sometimes. There are definitely people who have to relook at this: Do they need a different manual chair that works better for them, with a better configuration? There are so many cool power-assist options now. Or do they need power [mobility]?”
“Ongoing assessments of mobility, positioning, skin and tissue health, independence, and safety are recommended to follow progressive conditions and the need for new wheelchair skills and CRT,” Wade said.
Ultimately, wheelchair skills will evolve through a rider’s lifetime — and therefore need to be regularly reviewed and reassessed. “Teaching wheelchair skills is a rewarding process that can enhance a user’s independence and quality of life,” Wade said. “The key to success with wheelchair skills is to prioritize safety and meet your client where they are.” m
Scan the QR code to order Seating and Wheeled Mobility: A Clinical Resource Guide.
No team works harder to ensure you never fumble the ball when hustling to get your passengers safely across the goal line.
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Adaptive Imports
Adaptive Imports LLC is the exclusive United States distributor for Jenx, Hoggi, Krabat, Safespaces, Headaloft, and Daytot. The company was formed in 2014 by a group of dedicated and passionate assistive technology professionals with an abundance of knowledge and experience in complex rehabilitation products and marketing. Their goal was to provide quality products, service and value to patients with complex motor impairment and their families; and improve access, education and training to clinicians, industry professionals and technicians in the U.S.
Adaptive Imports
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Clarke Health Care’s bath safety lineup includes Ergo shower commode chairs that tilt and recline, can be positioned bedside, or can be self propelled. Aquatec bathlifts are seating and positioning systems for the tub with accessories for safe and comfortable bathing. Boris and Starfish shower/commode chairs are sized for children and adults (pictured: Boris Shower Chair 4). WheelAble and BathMobile folding shower/commode chairs are designed for travel or toilet stalls not easily accessed. Clarke also offers portable grab bars and their accessories and the Toilevator raised toilet platform.
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Booth #905 (888) 347-4537
www.clarkehealthcare.com
The ASL Orbit Joystick with dot switch mounting requires 50 grams of force to operate, and full throw is only 4 mm of movement. With a new polymer spring, the Orbit provides a smooth driving experience. It can be mounted for chin or hand control. It is shown with ASL’s new, highly adjustable mounting system, which works well for wheelchair riders who have limited movement.
Adaptive Switch Laboratories Inc. (ASL) Booth #1118 (800) 626-8698 www.asl-inc.com
At ISS, ATLAS will demonstrate how Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) professionals can win the race to efficiency! Come by the booth to race your coworkers in ATLAS’s race simulators. ATLAS Technology experts will also show you how AI Intake can improve efficiency in your CRT business, and how ATLAS Analytical Intelligence reports will allow you to manage by metrics. These two new features are embedded into ATLAS enterprise software and do not require an additional fee or cost. ISS show special: 50% off integration cost (limited-time offer).
ATLAS Technology Booth #902 (702) 809-6148 www.atlastechnologyllc.com
Dynamic Systems offers high-performance, medical-grade, viscoelastic, polyurethane foams. SunMate foam provides support and comfort for any body weight or special weightdistribution need. The open-cell structure promotes airflow to reduce heat buildup. Pudgee is a high-density, gel-like foam with cooling properties and contour-enveloping consistency for maximum immersion. Liquid SunMate FIPS is a quick, mix-and-pour, direct custom-contouring seating system to create seat/back cushions for individually tailored, advanced posture control and pressure relief.
Dynamic Systems Inc.
Booth #704 (855) SUNMATE www.sunmatecushions.com
The Orbiter Med (E2609) is an interplay of foam, air, and Kalogon’s technology comprising multiple systems: Advanced Pressure Management System (APMS), Adaptive/ Reactive Customizations (ARC), and Ambient Sensing System (ASS). APMS focuses on tissue revascularization, helping to restore blood flow in seated tissue through independent offloads. ARC adapts to the user in real time, allowing for micro-motions, shifts in posture, and weight changes. Ambient Sensing System considers temperature, altitude and other factors to keep each air cell at prescribed pressure levels.
Kalogon Booth #406 (321) 465-4504
www.kalogon.com
ORBIT Joystick
AI Intake
Boris Shower Chair 4
Seat Cushions
Orbiter Med
ISS exhibitor marketplace
Axcel Narrow FWD
The Axcel Narrow was designed to be a game changer. As the industry’s first 22.5"-wide front-wheel-drive power wheelchair, the Axcel Narrow features 14" front-drive wheels and narrow pivot points that provide exceptional outdoor performance. Whether you are navigating tight spaces, making 90° turns, or tackling uneven terrain, the Axcel Narrow offers high-performance suspension and an independent hydraulic system that ensures a smooth ride and excellent maneuverability. Merits is celebrating 30 years of delivering innovative, quality mobility solutions.
Merits Health Products Booth #708 (239) 772-0579 www.meritsusa.com
MK Branded Chargers
MK Battery, the trusted choice for powering independence, introduces a line of attractively priced, fully automatic, three-stage chargers for power mobility equipment. Engineered and built to precise specifications, and offering a 3.5-, 5-, and 8-amp output with an industrystandard 3-pin round plug, these high-quality chargers are suitable for both gel and AGM battery technologies,12 ah-80 ah. Stocked locally in 20 distribution centers, they are available for free delivery via MK truck (where available). Call your MK representative and pair up your MK Batteries with MK Branded chargers.
MK Battery Booth #833 (714) 937-1033 www.mkbattery.com
Introducing AMP, the device that brings power assist to manual wheelchairs without attaching permanent hardware, motors or wheels! Simply roll into AMP, and it automatically clicks into position on the chair — no modifications required. Give the wheelchair’s handrims an easy push to get AMP moving. The system navigates naturally: Use the existing manual handrims to start, stop and change directions. Riders can easily power up or change mode settings with AMP’s intuitive Bluetooth remote. When AMP isn’t needed, riders can simply roll off it to use their wheelchairs like always, with no extra weight to push around.
Method Mobility Inc. Booth #1035 (888) 88AMP88 methodmobility.com
Traverse sand, snow, mud, curbs and inclines with terrain-following 4-Wheel Mode. Family day at the beach or hiking trail with friends? Absolutely. No curb cut? No problem. Move and interact with others at standing height in Balance Mode. Connect with people at eye level and reach that upper shelf. Use Stair Mode to climb up and down stairs, independently or with the help of a trained assistant, depending on the rider’s ability. Reach. Climb. Go. Riders can do all these things and more in the ibot PMD.
Mobius Mobility Booth #416 (833) 346-4268 mobiusmobility.com
Miller’s Removable Insert Mount Bracket and Hardware series includes a new bracket that allows you to easily adjust to various height and depth positions of Miller’s standard insert mount hardware, and to quickly remove those assemblies for client transfer, as needed. The low-profile bracket design features a springloaded plunger that allows for the insertion or removal of hardware, with up to 2.5" of adjustment, in-place, in .5" increments. Miller’s offers a variety of insert mount product shapes, sizes, and collar configurations that can provide solutions for nearly all mounting and support pad size requirements that you may have.
Miller’s Adaptive Technologies Booth #811 (800) 837-4544 www.millersadaptive.com
Those with low vision or cognitive differences, like dementia, may struggle to locate and operate essential wheelchair components, increasing the risk of accidents and limiting independence. The Motion Composites Vision Package offers a breakthrough solution with high-visibility orange accents. This carefully selected color enhances contrasts and makes key wheelchair parts such as the brake handles, locks on leg rests, footplates and armrests easier to see and use, providing a safer and more confident experience for a wide range of users.
Motion Composites Booth #302 (866) 650-6555 www.motioncomposites.com
Removable Insert Mount Bracket
ibot PMD
Vision Package
The award-winning Matrx MAC MultiAdjustable Contour Back Series — completely configurable for the widest range of body shapes, conditions, and adjustable for changes — is a new way to provide custom fit, positioning and comfort. The Matrx MAC is a modular solution, complementary for manual or power tilt and recline applications. Choose dual-layered density foam for balanced comfort and support, or a HUG StaminaFibre option for enhanced immersion and envelopment. A customizable trunk support features three contour depths with asymmetrical contours available to address specific postural needs.
Motion Concepts Booth #1118 (888) 433-6818 www.motionconcepts.com
EPiC seating, Stealth Products’ award-winning postural management system, introduces movement into the wheelchair seating environment. EPiC seating provides the ability to change positions for function while maintaining control of the pelvis, mitigating the opportunity to introduce shear. The system enables the wheelchair rider to reposition independently for comfort or allows for toolfree adjustment by a caregiver. EPiC provides multiple resistance levels to accommodate a wide range of clients: Set an anatomically appropriate pivot point to reduce shear forces against the client.
Stealth Products Booth #626 (800) 965-9229
stealthproducts.com
Trakz Tub Slider Systems
The new Trakz family of tub sliders includes a system with attendant tilt (Trakz-AT) and a non-tilting, attendant-propelled system (Trakz-AP). The Trakz-AT features dual-arc, rotational tilt geometry with 35° of posterior tilt to enable the client’s feet to clear the tub wall, thus reducing the effort required by caregivers. The rotational tilt geometry enables the chair to be located closer to the rear wall, which provides more room for the client’s feet and legs, and enables the system to fit into smaller bathrooms. Rotational tilt also reduces the effort required to tilt the chair: Tilting can be achieved with single-hand activation.
Raz Design Booth #317 (877) 720-5678 razdesigninc.com
Free Form Seating provides a custom-fit seating system that can change with a person’s postural support needs. This adaptive modular system gives the fitter the ability to contour the shell to the exact needs of the user. As a person’s weight fluctuates, as young people grow, and as people develop a need for more or less support, this custom seating solution will adapt. Free Form Seating can be grown, reused, recycled and continuously adapted. It’s custom seating, simplified. Free Form Seating is HCPCS coded E2617 and E2609.
Symmetric Booth #508 (250) 537-2177 www.symmetric-designs.com
Rehasense’s series of power-assisted wheelchair systems (PAWS) for manual wheelchairs includes the Tourer 20", the City 14", the City 12", and the Cruiser 16" models, distinguished by their wheel types and developed to navigate different types of terrain. PAWS systems are available with standard or tetra handles. Rehasense’s other product lines include rollators; a wide range of rollator accessories, including soft wheels, trays, transport bags, and backrests; and transfer aids to support safer, more efficient transfers and turns.
Rehasense Booth #104/202 (630) 756-3099
rehasense.us/
Hello, eye-gaze driving! Ability Drive is a drive control interface that enables riders to adjust seating and drive a power wheelchair with their eyes. Using virtual buttons and eye-gaze technology, people who are not able to use a joystick can regain movement independence. Wheelchair riders can also use Ability Drive to independently change positions and weight shift to take charge of their power seating functions.
Tolt Technologies LLC Booth #404 (425) 242-3902 tolttechnologies.com
Matrx MAC Back
PAWS
ep i C seating
Free Form Seating
Ability Drive