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…
Mobility Management Announces 2024 Mobility Product Award Winners
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…
Briefly: Paralympians in Paris; AI Robot on Sidewalk Patrol
Featuring the 2024 Paralympic Games and Daxbot.
2024 Paralympics Get Underway The summer Paralympic Games are underway in Paris, where hundreds of elite athletes with disabilities will compete in 22 sports. Access Mobility Management’s Paralympics primer for information on how to view the Games and when your favorite sports will be contested. Competition continues through Sept. 8. Dax the Robot Looks for…
Briefly: Colin Farrell Launches a Foundation; CP Foundation Updates Research Study Opportunities
Featuring the Colin Farrell Foundation and the Cerebral Palsy Foundation.
Actor Colin Farrell Launches Foundation to Support Adults with Intellectual Disabilities Irish actor Colin Farrell has launched the Colin Farrell Foundation, “committed to transforming the lives of individuals and families living with intellectual disability through education, awareness, advocacy and innovative programs.” In an Aug. 7 announcement, the Oscar-nominated actor launched his foundation’s website, which noted…
Commentary: All Attention on the Paris Paralympics
Murderball! Wheelchair fencing! Get ready to cheer on your favorite elite athletes.
With the Paris Olympics officially in the record books as of Aug. 11, it’s time to gear up for the Paris Paralympics. Popcorn? Check. Favorite fizzy beverages? Check. Viewing guide? Sports rosters? Understanding the athlete classification system? Read on for what you need to know about the Paralympic Games, Aug. 28-Sept. 8. A Paralympics primer…
AAHomecare Survey Reports HME Access Under Serious Threat
Home medical equipment suppliers described curtailing the services and products they provide following January’s funding cuts.
The results of an American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) survey starkly shows the “devastating impacts” Medicare funding cuts have had on home medical equipment (HME) suppliers. In an Aug. 6 press release, AAHomecare noted “the profound impact of Medicare reimbursement cuts for home medical equipment suppliers that took effect on Jan. 1, 2024. “The survey,…