So often in life, it’s the little things that add up and make — or break — your day. That might be some of the wisdom behind LapStacker, a “click-and-go” wheelchair carry system that uses retractable straps, magnetic buckles and finger loops to secure a wide range of objects on the laps of power and…
Adaptdefy’s LapStacker: Helping Wheelchair Riders to Carry Life’s Loads
HME, Accessibility Veteran Jim Greatorex Announces Retirement from VGM
Greatorex has devoted more than 30 years to the home medical equipment industry.
Jim Greatorex, a veteran of the home medical equipment (HME) and accessibility industries who has been vice president of VGM & Associates’ Live at Home business since 2015, has announced his retirement. In a Jan. 30 announcement, VGM noted that Greatorex has more than 30 years of experience in HME and accessibility. “He has been…
Briefly: CMS Announces California Wildfire Flexibilities; First 2025 Abilities Expo Scheduled for March
Featuring the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Abilities Expo.
CMS Announces Flexibilities in Response to California Wildfires The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced flexibilities in response to ongoing wildfires that began last week in Southern California. In a Jan. 10 news alert, CMS said state of California waivers are available for affected providers. Medicare beneficiaries who have lost their durable…
DOT Final Rule: Airlines Required to ‘Meet More Rigorous Standards’ for Passengers with Disabilities
Starting in January, airlines will have additional standards for handling wheelchairs and supporting passengers.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has released a new final rule that includes “new protections for people with disabilities in commercial air travel that will ensure that they can fly safely and with dignity.” A Dec. 16 DOT announcement from DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg added that the new, “more rigorous standards” applied “especially for…
Mobility Management Announces 2024 Mobility Product Award Winners
This year’s winners came from the pediatric, adult, power and manual wheelchair and seating segments.
Mobility Management has announced the winners of the publication’s 2024 Mobility Product Awards. Mobility Management Editor in Chief Laurie Watanabe said of this year’s entries, “Once again, Mobility Management is honored to recognize these companies for their extraordinary technology on behalf of people with disabilities. These award-winning seating, mobility, and accessibility equipment and services demonstrate…
Commentary: 3 Takeaways from the DOT’s $50 Million American Airlines Fine
Why this historic penalty could change the way airlines treat wheelchair riders and their equipment.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has fined American Airlines $50 million, saying in an October announcement that the carrier “failed to provide safe, dignified, and prompt wheelchair assistance and mishandled passengers’ wheelchairs.” This is hardly the first time airlines’ poor treatment of wheelchair riders and their equipment has made the news. But this particular DOT…
Scott-Morgan Foundation, Lenovo Introduce AI-Powered Communication Tech for People with ALS
New system gives people with ALS greater ability to personalize their communications, today and going forward.
New technology powered by artificial intelligence (AI) could offer greater communications customizability for people with conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In an October press release, the Scott-Morgan Foundation and Lenovo introduced “a new technology suite combining predictive AI, hyper-realistic avatars, personalized voices, and eye-gaze tracking.” The introduction came at Lenovo Tech World 2024,…
American Airlines Fined $50 Million for Mistreating Wheelchair Riders, Mobility Devices
Department of Transportation fine is the largest penalty assessed against an airline for violating disability regulations.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has fined American Airlines $50 million for mistreating passengers using wheelchairs, and for mishandling those passengers’ wheelchairs and other mobility equipment. The DOT made the announcement in late October and noted that the fine “is 25 times larger than any previous DOT penalty against an airline for violating disability…
Cindi Petito Joins VGM & Associates
VGM’s new director of clinical networks will focus on CRT and home accessibility.
Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) and accessibility veteran Cindi Petito has joined VGM & Associates. Petito, OTR/L, MBA, ATP, CAPS, CEAC, is VGM’s new director of clinical networks. In an Oct. 23 press release, VGM said, “Cindi brings with her over 29 years of experience in multiple health-care settings, including Complex Rehab, as well as being…
Motion Composites’ Vision Package Improves Component Visibility, Rider Independence
Vibrant orange-colored highlights can help wheelchair riders with low vision or cognitive differences.
Motion Composites’ latest launch shows how small adjustments can lead to big improvements in mobility and wheelchair riders’ independence. The inspiration for the new Vision Package, introduced in mid October, was a hack used by seating clinicians, according to Jean-Philippe Villeneuve, Motion Composites’ marketing director. “Wheelchair users with low vision or cognitive differences, such as…