Communicate and Steer a Wheelchair by Sniffing

( Source: REHACARE.de )

 [30/07/2010] A device based on sniffing – inhaling and exhaling through the nose – might enable numerous disabled people to navigate wheelchairs or communicate with their loved ones. Communicate and Steer a Wheelchair by Sniffing - read more

Stroke: How Patients Regain Motor Functions in Hands

( Source: REHACARE.de )

 [19/07/2010] Helping stroke patients regain use of their hands and arms through innovative robotic and virtual reality-based video game therapies is the focal point of Sergei Adamovich, a biomedical engineer.  Stroke: How Patients Regain Motor Functions in Hands - read more

Students Develop Device to Help Blind Manuever

( Source: REHACARE.de )

 [12/07/2010] Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) students have developed an innovative optical radar system that helps blind people maneuver around obstacles. Students Develop Device to Help Blind Manuever - read more

Visual System Interprets Sign Languages

( Source: REHACARE.de )

 [05/07/2010] Spanish researchers selected over twenty of the hundreds of signs to develop a new visual interpretation system which allows deaf people to carry out consultations in the language they commonly use. Visual System Interprets Sign Languages - read more

Three-Legged Dogs Boost Robot Research

( Source: REHACARE.de )

 [02/07/2010] Scientists in Germany are examining how 3-legged dogs move to help design and develop robots that can adapt to unexpected conditions. Three-Legged Dogs Boost Robot Research - read more

Shopping as a Blind Person: “Customers Should also Dare to Go Shopping by Themselves“

Turn left at the next traffic light. The familiar voice on the navigation system guides drivers who don’t have a sense of direction through unknown streets. By comparison, blind people have a much harder time, if they don’t find their way in their surroundings. Now a shopping centre in Berlin offers blind and visually impaired customers at least help during shopping – with a Blind-Guiding System. Shopping as a Blind Person: “Customers Should also Dare to Go Shopping by Themselves“ - read more

Technical Control Board for a Barrier-Free Shopping Experience

The customer is always right, says a proverb. Yet not all stores really cater to the needs of all its customers. Senior citizens and people with disabilities often have no idea, where they can shop comfortably without facing any barriers. Now a nationwide seal of approval wants to change that. Technical Control Board for a Barrier-Free Shopping Experience - read more

Synthetic Eye Prosthesis May Offer Help

( Source: REHACARE.de )

 [21/06/2010] Donor corneas are a rarity: In Germany alone, each year roughly 7,000 patients wait for that miniscule piece of tissue. An implant made of plastic may soon offer patients with the chance to see again. Synthetic Eye Prosthesis May Offer Help - read more

Computer Technique Could Help Partially-Sighted See Better

( Source: REHACARE.de )

 [18/06/2010] Partially-sighted people could gain greater independence from a simple, cheap and accessible training course which could eventually be delivered from their mobile phones or hand-held games consoles, a study shows. Computer Technique Could Help Partially-Sighted See Better - read more

Video Game to Help Blind Children Exercise

( Source: REHACARE.de )

 [11/06/2010] A new project helps children who are blind become more physically active and healthy through video games. The human-computer interaction research team has developed a motion-sensing-based tennis and bowling exergame. Video Game to Help Blind Children Exercise - read more

How Visually Impaired See Emotions

( Source: REHACARE.de )

 [07/06/2010] Without vision it’s impossible to interpret facial expressions, or so it’s believed. Not any more. Shafiq ur Réhman, Umeå University, presents a new technology in his doctoral thesis – a Braille code of emotions. How Visually Impaired See Emotions - read more

Domestic Robot Helps Sick Elderly

( Source: REHACARE.de )

 [26/05/2010] A group of European researchers will link robots and 'smart homes'. The robot, a 'sensible family friend', will ensure that home is a nice place to stay. And that patients do the right things. Domestic Robot Helps Sick Elderly - read more

Design Opens Door to 'Full Screen' Braille Displays

( Source: REHACARE.de )

[03/05/2010] New research is moving us closer to the development of a display system that would allow the blind to take full advantage of the Web and other computer applications. Design Opens Door to 'Full Screen' Braille Displays - read more

Virtual Muscle Machine for Kids with Disabilities

( Source: REHACARE.de )

 [30/04/2010] An occupational therapist is pioneering a new "virtual" method to analyze movement patterns in children – and more effectively treat those with debilitating motor disorders. Virtual Muscle Machine for Kids with Disabilities - read more

Typing Words with Your Brain

( Source: REHACARE.de )

 [19/04/2010] A portable, easy-to-wear, intelligent textual and verbal communications prototype device enables people with motoric disabilities (suffering from for example brain paralysis or speech or language disorders) to communicate. Typing Words with Your Brain - read more

Teaching Tools for Visually Impaired Children

( Source: REHACARE.de )

 [12/04/2010] Children with visual impairments face disproportionate challenges learning math, and by the time they reach the college level, they are under-represented in science, technology, mathematics and engineering disciplines. Teaching Tools for Visually Impaired Children - read more

Modified Home Video Game May Improve Hand Function

( Source: REHACARE.de )

 [07/04/2010] Engineers have modified a popular home video game system to help teenagers with cerebral palsy improve hand functions. In a pilot trial the system improved the teens' abilities to perform a range of daily personal and household activities. Modified Home Video Game May Improve Hand Function - read more

Playing 'Pong' with the Blink of an Eye

( Source: REHACARE.de )

 [29/03/2010] University students have developed a computer game that is operated by eye movements, which could allow people with severe physical disabilities to become 'gamers' for the first time. Playing 'Pong' with the Blink of an Eye - read more

Facilitating Internet Use for People with Handicap

( Source: REHACARE.de )

[24/03/2010] In his PhD thesis a researcher tested a system that facilitates creating a more personalised Internet for the disabled. He also devised innovative techniques for experts in adapting web pages. Facilitating Internet Use for People with Handicap - read more

Reconstructing 3-D Hand Movement

( Source: REHACARE.de )

 [19/03/2010] Researchers have successfully reconstructed 3-D hand motions from brain signals recorded in a non-invasive way, according to a study. Reconstructing 3-D Hand Movement - read more

Body Protheses May Last for More than 150 Years

( Source: REHACARE.de )

[10/03/2010] Current body protheses do not last more than 10 - 15 years. After this time, the operation has to be repeated in order to change prothesis. Researchers have now found a way of producing a prosthesis that could last more than 150 years.  Body Protheses May Last for More than 150 Years - read more

Auditory Input Helps Word Learning in Deaf Children

( Source: REHACARE.de )

 [05/03/2010] Learning words may be facilitated by early exposure to auditory input, according to research presented by the Indiana University (IU) School of Medicine. Auditory Input Helps Word Learning in Deaf Children - read more

Artificial Foot Recycles Energy for Easier Walking

( Source: REHACARE.de )

 [22/02/2010] An artificial foot that recycles energy otherwise wasted in between steps could make it easier for amputees to walk, its developers say.  Artificial Foot Recycles Energy for Easier Walking - read more

Prostheses: „Further Optimising the Natural Motion Sequence“

Today serious sport and disability do not exclude themselves anymore. Athletes with prostheses can achieve quite similar results in competitions as their colleagues without artificial bodily parts – thanks to modern technology. However, in future prostheses could do even more.  Prostheses: „Further Optimising the Natural Motion Sequence“ - read more

Reminder Board for Dementia Patients

( Source: REHACARE.de )

 [24/06/2009] In Norway a simple communication system based on a computer screen is being tested, aimed at elderly people who live at home but whose memory is failing.  Reminder Board for Dementia Patients - read more

Diabetes: Telemedicine May Improve Care for School Children

 [22/05/2009] A new study explores the effectiveness of telemedicine in helping school nurses and children manage diabetes care. Diabetes: Telemedicine May Improve Care for School Children - read more

Silicone Ear Looks Just Like the Real Thing

[23/03/2009] A surgery made it possible for Matthew Houdek to be fitted with a prosthetic ear that looks just like the real thing. Silicone Ear Looks Just Like the Real Thing - read more

Promise for Improving Function of Artificial Arms

[13/02/2009] A surgical technique known as targeted muscle reinnervation appears to enable patients with arm amputations to have improved control of functions with an artificial arm, according to a study. Promise for Improving Function of Artificial Arms - read more

Transplant Psychology: Is It Really Mine?

( Source: REHACARE.de )

[15/10/2008] Transplantations are complex operations. Trying to cope psychologically with the intervention is almost as complicated as the surgery itself. Before the body part of a stranger is accepted as one’s own, patients often have to cope with an emotional rollercoaster.  Transplant Psychology: Is It Really Mine? - read more

Helping the Disabled Make Use of Public Transport

( Source: REHACARE.de )

 [10/10/2008] European researchers have developed a personal navigation aid to help disabled people make use of public transport. Helping the Disabled Make Use of Public Transport - read more

“Tongue Drive System”: Wheelchairing with the Tongue

“Tongue Drive System”: Wheelchairing with the Tongue - read more

Robot Playmates May Help Kids with Autism

 [23/07/2008] New research studies interactions of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) with bubble-blowing robots. First results indicate that kids with ASD actively interact with robots. Robot Playmates May Help Kids with Autism - read more

Handy Helpers: Prosthetic Arms through the Ages

Handy Helpers: Prosthetic Arms through the Ages - read more

New Device Helps Visually Impaired to Drive

 [17/10/2007] A team of researchers from the University of Granada in collaboration with the University of Murcia, has developed a visual aid device which significantly improves the vision of sight impaired patients.  New Device Helps Visually Impaired to Drive - read more

New Communication Help

( Source: REHACARE.de )

 [11/07/2007] A new software can improve communication ability among children who are intellectually disabled or have communication limitations such as autism, Down’s syndrome, or cerebral palsy. New Communication Help - read more

Topic of the Month June: Travelling with Auxiliary Means

Topic of the Month June: Travelling with Auxiliary Means - read more

Smart Way of Living for People with Dementia

( Source: REHACARE.de )

 [24/01/2007] A groundbreaking home that uses the latest smart technology for people with dementia and other serious long-term health conditions is showcased for the first time in Bristol. Smart Way of Living for People with Dementia - read more

Full Speed ahead: Route Planer for People in Wheelchair

Full Speed ahead: Route Planer for People in Wheelchair - read more

Living with "Beini"

Gunther Belitz visited a family with a leg amputated child and experienced a lot of normality.  Living with "Beini" - read more

Harry Potter Leads Way for Blind Fans

( Source: REHACARE.de )

 [18/07/2005] ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' by JK Rowling will be the first ever novel in the UK to be published simultaneously in braille, large-print and standard print. Harry Potter Leads Way for Blind Fans - read more

New Memory Aid May Help Dementia Sufferers Remember

( Source: REHACARE.de )

 [15/06/2005] Based on an interactive multimedia computer system and a clearer understanding of how dementia sufferers respond to social situations, the aid aims to stimulate more rewarding conversation between sufferers and those who care for them. New Memory Aid May Help Dementia Sufferers Remember - read more

New Memory Aid May Help Dementia Sufferers Remember

( Source: REHACARE.de )

 [15/06/2005] Based on an interactive multimedia computer system and a clearer understanding of how dementia sufferers respond to social situations, the aid aims to stimulate more rewarding conversation between sufferers and those who care for them. New Memory Aid May Help Dementia Sufferers Remember - read more

Puppy Socialisers Urgently Needed

( Source: REHACARE.de )

 [14/02/2005] Local charity, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, in the UK is in urgent and desperate need of members of the public to volunteer to take puppies and young dogs into their homes for up to six months as part of the dogs' early training. Puppy Socialisers Urgently Needed - read more

Touchy-feely Environment Helps Autistic Children

( Source: REHACARE.de )

[06/10/2004] The inability to interact with their environment inhibits the mental development of autistic children; precisely the problem that MEDIATE was designed to help overcome.  Touchy-feely Environment Helps Autistic Children - read more

Artificial Muscle Glove To Aid People with Paralyzed Hands

( Source: REHACARE.de )

[01/07/2004] The University of Wollongong and Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH) have patented a rehabilitation glove that will dramatically improve the recovery of patients following surgery or trauma to their hand. Artificial Muscle Glove To Aid People with Paralyzed Hands - read more

Accessibility online – more than just ‘click here for text-only’

( Source: REHACARE.de )

[01/01/2004] Slowly, web designers are striving to make their site accessible for everyone. But not each website really delivers what the label ‘accessible’ promises, as many of the pages still present barriers for some people with disabilities. But sticking to some basic rules should help making more parts of the web available for people with handicaps. Accessibility online – more than just ‘click here for text-only’ - read more

Twelve Gift Ideas from RNIB

( Source: REHACARE.de )

[15/12/2003] Christmas is fast approaching and finding that perfect present for a family member who is blind or partially sighted can be difficult. The Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) offers a wide-range of gift ideas for adults and children with sight problems. Twelve Gift Ideas from RNIB - read more