Image: A paralyzed individual walks up the stairs to visit a friend's home using her ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton; Copyright: ReWalk Robotics Ltd.

ReWalk Robotics Ltd.

ReWalk Exoskeleton receives FDA clearance for stairs and curbs

13/03/2023

ReWalk, a leading provider of innovative technologies that enable mobility and wellness in rehabilitation and daily life for individuals with neurological conditions, announced that its innovative ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton technology has received clearance from the FDA for use on stairs and curbs in the US, making it the only personal exoskeleton to receive FDA clearance for this indication.
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Photo: Frank Lackner in an exhibition hall with a leather bag around his neck and looking at the camera; Copyright: private

privat

Frank Lackner – That's how he rolls

08/03/2023

Frank Lackner fights for more accessibility in public spaces. In 1991, he and a friend founded the International Citizens' Initiative for Wheelchair Users' Interests, or INTERROLLI in short. What improvements he would like to see in disabled toilets and how else he rolls, he tells us on REHACARE.com.
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Image: Doctor tracking the evolution of the patient's brain on the tablet in a modern laboratory; Copyright: DC_Studio

DC_Studio

Neural prosthesis uses brain activity to decode speech

06/03/2023

Researchers from HSE University and the Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry have developed a machine learning model that can predict the word about to be uttered by a subject based on their neural activity recorded with a small set of minimally invasive electrodes.
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Image: Lukas sits in his new Ford Tourneo Connect with the Space Drive driving and steering system and two joysticks; Copyright: PARAVAN

PARAVAN

"Mobile tailor-made suit" by PARAVAN: flexible operating devices for vehicles

27/02/2023

Lukas drives his new Ford Tourneo Connect with the Space Drive driving and steering system and two joysticks – one for accelerator/brake and one for steering. But every now and then, someone else sits behind the steering wheel who doesn't need these input devices. Thanks to a resourceful solution from PARAVAN's technicians, this can be realized within a minute.
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Image: Double-sided and standard-compliant wall handrail in a residential complex; Copyright: Flexo-Handlaufsysteme GmbH

Flexo-Handlaufsysteme GmbH

Tangible safety: self-determination thanks to Flexo handrail systems

23/02/2023

Code-compliant handrail systems provide safety and make stairs accessible and usable for more people. They help reduce fall risk, facilitate more mobility, and allow people to gain access to all rooms. Thanks to its work with older adults and people with disabilities, Flexo-Handlaufsysteme GmbH knows about potential barriers and has made it its mission to promote the self-determination of people.
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Photo: Annika Schröder is holding a badminton bat and smiles into the camera; Copyright: Sandra Lange

Sandra Lange

Annika Schröder – That's how she rolls

22/02/2023

Accessibility plays a key role for Annika Schröder. She sees a need to catch up in many areas – from public transport to bureaucracy. The 25-year-old competitive athlete has the support of her friends and family. Why she would like to see more determination from politicians and how she rolls otherwise, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
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Image: Therapy room in the Patient Care Competence Center; Copyright: Ottobock

Ottobock

Ottobock unveils the patient care of the future

22/02/2023

On 20 February, the global healthtech company Ottobock opened the doors to its most state-of-the-art and future-oriented clinic to date. Located in the newly developed Sartorius Quarter in the German city of Göttingen, the clinic will provide care for patients across the country and worldwide.
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Image: Alexander Klems sits in his wheel loader and operates it with his hands; Copyright: PARAVAN

PARAVAN

Reintegration into working life: Operating a wheel loader via joystick

15/02/2023

Alexander Klems has been driving wheel loaders for 21 years. In 2019, everything was going to be different. He got injured. He could no longer operate the accelerator pedal of his Hitachi ZW 330 wheel loader, which he almost always has to step on when loading construction materials. Another solution was needed, which was found at PARAVAN thanks to the Space Drive drive-by-wire system.
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Image: A man demonstrates a soft robotic wearable for upper arm and shoulder; Copyright: Walsh Lab, Harvard SEAS

Walsh Lab, Harvard SEAS

Soft robotic wearable restores arm function for people with ALS

13/02/2023

Some 30,000 people in the U.S. are affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a neurodegenerative condition that damages cells in the brain and spinal cord necessary for movement. Now, a team of researchers has developed a soft robotic wearable capable of significantly assisting upper arm and shoulder movement in people with ALS.
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Image: A shower chair stands next to and in a bathtub; Copyright: Showerbuddy

Showerbuddy

Showerbuddy explains how to usefully upgrade your shower chair

13/02/2023

Shower chairs are most certainly not built equal. Unfortunately in the mobility equipment industry there are many options that seem attractive in price but fail to do their main job properly: safely support a mobility impaired person. It’s very common for a family and their disabled loved one to try different shower chairs over the course of their journey.
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Photo: Sebastian Stabler sitting in his wheelchair; Copyright: private

private

Sebastian Stabler – That's how he rolls

08/02/2023

Not just stand, but dance – that's what Sebastian Stabler would like to do. He is still waiting for the right assistive equipment. But the paraplegic 37-year-old already shows himself to be a sporty and active person. Why he would like to meet a certain bodybuilder and how he rolls otherwise, he tells us on REHACARE.com.
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Image: A young girl straightens up in the electric children's wheelchair to reach a glass of juice on a higher counter; Copyright: PARAVAN

PARAVAN

Children's wheelchairs by PARAVAN: independent standing, lying, sitting and tilting

01/02/2023

At the RehaKIND congress, PARAVAN presents the versatile wheelchair portfolio of the PR series for children with a seat concept that grows with the child. There is a wide range of possible uses. With the adaptable power wheelchairs, children are in the middle of the action and not just there.
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Photo: Karina Sturm wears a black hat, which she holds with one hand. She smiles past the camera; Copyright: private

private

Karina Sturm – That's how she rolls

25/01/2023

Writing a book – a dream for many people. For Karina Sturm, it was a chance to accept her diagnosis. By giving advice, she wants to enable other people to do what she has managed to do herself: to become an active part of their own disease management and to live a self-determined life. How she rolls otherwise, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
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Photo: Sascha Scholz looking into the camera, one eye closed; Copyright: private

private

Sascha Scholz – That's how he rolls

11/01/2023

Nowadays, mobility for many people with disabilities means being able to be self-determined in their own car. One prerequisite for this is a driver's license. Which detours and obstacles Sascha Scholz had to overcome to get his license, where he went on his subsequent European tour, and how he rolls otherwise, he tells us on REHACARE.com.
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Photo: Kae Tran infront of a shelf with cameras. She leans onto a drawer; Copyright: Patrick Estebar

Patrick Estebar

Kae Tran – That's how she rolls

14/12/2022

Self-determined mobility is possible in Kae Tran's everyday life mainly through her walking stick. The aid has become her most important companion. What changes she would like to see in rollators and in society, what role mental health plays for her and how she rolls otherwise, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
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Photo: Victoria H. sitting in a wheelchair in front of a field; Copyright: private

privat

Victoria H. – That's how she rolls

30/11/2022

Victoria H. sees the world with more mindful eyes since she had to get to know herself and her body anew. However, she has retained her enthusiasm for sports and has found many new ways to practice it. What kind of role REHACARE plays in this, why straws are an important assistive device in her everyday life and what how she rolls otherwise, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
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Photo: Ricky sitting in his wheelchair infront of a swimming pool; Copyright: private

private

Ricky – That's how he rolls

16/11/2022

His relationships with his family, friends and God not only make Ricky's day, but are also his most important tools in everyday life. And with his modified bus, wheelchair and walker, he is able to compensate well for his limitations. Which positive experiences he has already had, how the supply of aids could be optimized and how he rolls otherwise, he tells us on REHACARE.com.
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Photo: Saskia Melches smiling and sitting in her wheelchair on a ice skate ring; Copyright: Saskia Melches

Saskia Melches

Saskia Melches – That's how she rolls

02/11/2022

Various assistive devices and a team of assistants help Saskia Melches to manage her active everyday life. Whether in or out of her home, she wants to lead as self-determined a life as possible. How society and the assistive technology industry could support her, what the jungle of Peru is all about and how she rolls otherwise, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
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Photo: Rebecca Brunner sitting on a staircase, her protsthetic leg can be seen; Copyright: Rebecca Brunner

Rebecca Brunner

Rebecca Brunner – That's how she rolls

19/10/2022

Rebecca Brunner likes to take her life into her own hands and gives every day the chance to be the best. Her prosthetic leg helps her to always try out new things and overcome new challenges. What she wants from her fellow human beings, what is particularly important to her in the assistive technology industry and how she rolls otherwise, the social media manager tells us on REHACARE.com.
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Photo: Svenja in her wheelchair smiling at the camera; Copyright: Svenjas Welt

Svenjas Welt

Svenja – That's how she rolls

05/10/2022

Getting used to an assistive device is not always easy. That's how Svenja felt about her wheelchair at first. But now she appreciates how much freedom and flexibility it gives her in everyday life. Which other aid she thinks should be invented and which special wheelchair she once discovered at REHACARE, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
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Photo: Antonio Hoempler doing downhill skateboarding; Copyright: Antonio Hoempler

Antonio Hoempler

Antonio Hoempler – That's how she rolls

21/09/2022

Whether it's festivals or downhill skateboarding – Antonio Hoempler loves action and adaptive sports. He also enjoys riding his handbike. With the support of friends and assistive devices, he can pursue his many interests. How he rolls otherwise, he tells us on REHACARE.com.
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Photo: People get advice at a stand at REHACARE; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/Constanze Tillmann

Messe Düsseldorf/Constanze Tillmann

Choose, touch, and try out products – experience REHACARE live and in-person again in 2022

12/09/2022

You’re probably familiar with this scenario: You order a fabulous piece of clothing or shoes online, only to be terribly disappointed when the item arrives but doesn’t fit. It’s an all-too-familiar problem for people with disabilities who depend on these resources. Whether it’s a mobility aid or adapted car, the device must be customized to fit the needs of the individual to provide support.
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Photo: Isabelle Sievers holding a phone with her prothetic arm; Copyright: Isabelle Sievers

Isabelle Sievers

Isabelle Sievers – That's how she rolls

07/09/2022

A prosthetic arm has given Isabelle Sievers a lot of quality of life and self-confidence. In just three years, she has overcome many lows and continued her self development. Her strong will and perseverance have helped her to achieve even the seemingly impossible. In our interview, she emphasizes that everyone has their own strengths and can achieve anything.
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Photo: a man in a blue car with wheelchair loading system; Copyright: Veigel GmbH + Co. KG

Veigel GmbH + Co. KG

Electromobility: technology support for people with disabilities

29/08/2022

For persons with reduced mobility, participation in social and civic life is often only an option if the conditions are right: Wheelchair users need accessible designs to train stations or bus stops to use these modes of transportation. Unfortunately, many places still lack accessible accommodations, which is why many people rely on cars to ensure their mobility and transportation.
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Photo: RVs parked in front of a lakeshore at sunset; Copyright: CreativeNature_nl/envato.

CreativeNature_nl/envato

Living a self-determined life: accessible travel around the world

29/08/2022

Get in your camper to get away: Each year, thousands of Germans make this dream come true as is evidenced by the number of current new registrations of camper vans, travel trailers and recreational vehicles. Standard models often include many practical features - but unfortunately, accessible solutions are still few and far between.
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Photo: Katja Tefiki while paragliding; Copyright: Katja Tefiki

Katja Tefiki

Katja Tefiki – That's how she rolls

24/08/2022

Katja Tefiki had to completely reorganize her everyday life after she became paraplegic. She got her driver's license and today her car and wheelchair are her indispensable companions. She loves long car rides and paragliding is also one of her passions. How she rolls otherwise, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
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Photo: Tahina Andale smiling at the camera; Copyright: Tahina Andale

Tahina Andale

Tahina Andale – That's how she rolls

10/08/2022

Whether it's a cane or a walker, walking aids can make a significant contribution to greater mobility and a more self-determined life. Tahina Andale has also made this experience. Why the path to this realization was not always easy and what else has helped her to cope better with her chronic illness, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
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Photo: Alain Zanchetta smiling at the camera; Copyright: Alain Zanchetta

Alain Zanchetta

Alain Zanchetta – That's how he rolls

27/07/2022

Alain Zanchetta is a fighter. He would have to overcome difficulties early on, but he has gained a lot of strength and confidence as a result. As a designer, he develops inclusive design products himself to help other people. At the same time, his job offers him the security and perspective he craves. At REHACARE.com he tells us how he rolls otherwise.
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Photo: Bastian K. smiling at the camera; Copyright: Leben mit PEG

Leben mit PEG

Bastian K. – That's how he rolls

13/07/2022

Bastian K. is a summer person at heart. He enjoys spending time with family and friends. In doing so, the lack of accessibility often causes him more difficulties than the progressive muscle weakness he has been living with for many years. When he is not on the road, he writes about his "life with PEG" on his own blog. On REHACARE.com he tells us how he rolls otherwise.
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Photo: A speech computer is on display at REHACARE; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf / ctillmann

Messe Düsseldorf / ctillmann

Digital assistive technologies: Modern tools to make life more accessible

13/07/2022

People with disabilities often rely on assistance in different ways. Whether it's speech computers, screen readers, i.e. software that vocalizes on-screen texts, or special power wheelchairs – what all assistance has in common here is that it works thanks to digital components.
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Photo: a black and red robot arm pours a drink into a paper cup; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf, Constanze Tillmann

Messe Düsseldorf, Constanze Tillmann

Daily living aids for people with disabilities

27/06/2022

Reaching for a bottle and opening it when you're thirsty or quickly making a sandwich when you're hungry. What many people take for granted can be a problem for people with disabilities. In these situations, analog or digital daily living aids can be used to maintain independence. Read more about this in the Topic of the Month!
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Photo: a person with the right hand in a plaster cast smears himself a roll with the help of his left hand and a special eating board; Copyright: Ornamin

Ornamin

Small things that have big benefits: daily living aids help make everyday life easier

27/06/2022

Opening a jar or getting on a bike to ride to the store: small things that many of us around the world do every day and tend to take for granted. But these activities are not a matter of course for everyone. Daily living aids can make a big difference to people with disabilities in making their lives easier.
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Photo: Two women at the beach in an accesssible mudflat vehicle; Copyright: ostfriesland.travel

ostfriesland.travel

Accessible trip planning: City sightseeing or active travel adventures?

22/06/2022

How do you want to spend your annual summer vacation? Are you headed for the beach or is skiing in the mountains more your style? No matter the destination, most people use their vacation time for a relaxing escape. Unfortunately, planning a trip can be stressful and is especially challenging for people with disabilities, as they must find accessible accommodations and inclusive destinations.
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Photo: an inclusive sailboat with a man in front and a woman behind. The woman is missing her arms and steers with her feet; Copyright: Andrea Francolini-www.afrancolini.com

Andrea Francolini-www.afrancolini.com

Inclusion in water sports: "Disability is no longer an issue once you get in the boat"

13/06/2022

What does inclusive sailing entail? Just ask Elke Paatz. She practically grew up on a sailboat and has become disabled as the result of a sports accident. Paatz is the contact person for inclusive (adaptive) sailing on behalf of the German Sailing Federation (German: Deutscher Segler Verband), DSV.
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Photo: Beach wheelchair on the Caribbean beach; Copyright: Timo Hermann | Gesellschaftsbilder.de

Timo Hermann | Gesellschaftsbilder.de

Leisure, sports and travel

27/05/2022

For most people, the thought of water is associated with relaxation. A day at or on the sea, boating, swimming or water sports. But what of this is possible if you are in a wheelchair, for example? We can reveal a few things. Read more in our Topic of the Month!
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Photo: a man in a wheelchair on a promenade at the beach; Copyright: seventyfourimages

seventyfourimages

The joy of water sports includes people with disabilities

27/05/2022

Water sports such as diving, sailing, or kiteboarding evoke a feeling of freedom! You don’t have to travel the five oceans of the world to get in on the fun. Depending on the type of sport, your local man-made lake or public swimming pool can also do the trick.
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Photo: Elena Zubiaurre standing on a yard, looking to the camera; Copyright: Elena Zubiaurre / private

Elena Zubiaurre / privat

Elena Zubiaurre – That's how she rolls

04/05/2022

Living with an invisible disability – Elena Zubiaurre knows how it feels. She lives with multiple sclerosis (MS). But strangers don't see it. That's why she would like society to be more careful and attentive. She tells REHACARE.com which everyday aids and auxiliary means should also be invented and why home office and mandatory masks are a blessing for her.
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Photo: A woman sitting infront of a Dot Pad, her hand touching the braille surface; Copyright: Dot Incorporation

Dot Incorporation

People with vision impairments: The Dot Pad bridges the information gap

21/04/2022

The new Dot Pad is not only smaller and lighter, but also much cheaper than conventional tactile displays – making them more affordable and accessible for people with vision impairments. Dot Inc makes the online world of images more accessible and aims to improve other areas as well. In our interview the Senior Manager Mergel Takam talks about the advantages and technology behind the Dot Pad.
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Photo: Dietmar Sen with crossed arms, looking to the camera; Copyright: Niklas Arnold Photography

Niklas Arnold Photography

Dietmar Sen – That's how he rolls

20/04/2022

Dietmar Sen doesn't want to have to hide or be ashamed of his weaknesses. His message: "Let's be authentic!" He tells REHACARE.com which things he wishes for and what he misses from his youth.
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Photo: Alina Esleben smiling, looking to the right; Copyright: Yvy Anheier

Yvy Anheier

Alina Esleben – That's how she rolls

06/04/2022

Instead of new assistive devices, Alina Esleben would like to see a normalization of accessible public spaces and transportation. On REHACARE.com she shares her thoughts on local production within the assistive technology industry and how she rolls otherwise.
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Photo: a white-haired gentleman fashionably dressed in ocher tones in a wheelchair. Behind him is someone, also in ocher tones, with his hands on the wheelchair; Copyright: PantherMedia / HayDmitriy

PantherMedia / HayDmitriy

Adaptive clothing: designed to fit

28/03/2022

Clothes should fit comfortably. They should make you feel great and be easy to put on and take off. Unfortunately, many "off-the-rack" clothes don’t meet these criteria. Those who don’t sport the measurements of the average woman or man find themselves at a distinct disadvantage. This includes people who use wheelchairs and people with restricted mobility.
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Photo: green flowing fabric; Copyright: PantherMedia / Youzhny

PantherMedia / Youzhny

Adaptive fashion and care textiles

28/03/2022

When it comes to fashion, tastes differ, but actually everyone attaches importance to clothing that fits well and comfortably! But to find clothes that fit is sometimes not so easy.
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Photo: A Woman wearing a black summer dress and a ventilator sits on the beach in her electric wheelchair; Copyright: private

privat

Natalie Pinnisch – That's how she rolls

09/03/2022

Getting away from everyday life, exploring the world, going to concerts and bars with friends – Natalie Pinnisch enjoys her self-determined life to the fullest and doesn't let her neuromuscular disease stop her. On REHACARE.com the 35-year-old from Hamburg reveals what she considers a great day and how she rolls otherwise.
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Photo: a toilet in white in front of black tiles. To the right and left of it are grab bars; Copyright: PantherMedia/bitpics

PantherMedia/bitpics

Accessible bathrooms: fostering and maintaining greater autonomy and independence

28/02/2022

For most people, the bathroom is their happy place and sanctuary – which is why it is important to remove any barriers for safety, ease, and comfort. Unfortunately, this is not always a given when it comes to people with disabilities. Unless you live in a new building, you may have to remodel bathrooms and toilet rooms to accommodate your special needs.
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Photo: a small model house stands on a construction plan, next to it a few screws and a yardstick; Copyright: PantherMedia / BrunoWeltmann

PantherMedia / BrunoWeltmann

Living – accessible and smart

28/02/2022

How does accessible living work? What do you have to pay attention to? These are important questions that young people (should) ask themselves, for example, if they are planning to build a single-family home. Read more about this in the Topic of the Month February.
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Photo: Three men, three generations. The oldest man sits in a wheelchair, the younger men sit on the couch in front of a TV; Copyright: PantherMedia / Andriy Popov

PantherMedia / Andriy Popov

Accessible housing: a win-win situation

28/02/2022

Many homes and apartments are not accessible to people with disabilities. For years, builders of larger accommodations must comply with corresponding accessible design and construction requirements. Getting into an accessibility mindset right from the start benefits everyone!
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Photo: a young woman with long brown hair – CassMae – wearing a red jacket. The rest of her surrounding is held in blue; Copyright: Udo Fischer | nunsichtbar.de

Udo Fischer | nunsichtbar.de

Cassandra Mae Spittmann – That's how she rolls

01/12/2021

Cassandra Mae Spittmann discovered the world of rhythm at the age of two. While she started out playing the tabla with her feet, the 19-year-old now elicits the notes with her hands. She has remained true to her preference for Indian music. With her voice and her songs, however, she is reaching an ever-growing audience worldwide. At REHACARE.com she tells us how she rolls otherwise.
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Photo: A young woman with pink hair in a glittery top sits on a meadow; Copyright: private

privat

Anna Fee – That's how she rolls

17/11/2021

If society doesn't provide accessibility, people have to do it themselves. That's why, Anna Fee has not only become active in the field of fashion. What "going your own path" means to her, why a flight was her greatest adventure to date and how she rolls otherwise, she tells us at REHACARE.com.
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Photo: an elderly couple sitting in their apartment, the LiftonTRIO home elevator can be seen in the background; Copyright: Liftstar GmbH

Liftstar GmbH

Stylish and innovative design: taking it to the top with the Lifton home elevator

11/11/2021

Raúl Krauthausen recently discovered how much an elevator can make your life easier and add accessibility to your home. These days, the disability rights activist uses the LiftonTRIO Home Elevator from Lifton GmbH to navigate his apartment in Berlin. Reason enough for REHACARE.com to ask the Liftstar Group what makes the Lifton home elevator so different from other systems.
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Photo: a blind man is reading a book with braille characters; Copyright: dzb lesen

dzb lesen

Touch, hear, participate: Assistive technology helps conquer visual impairment

28/10/2021

Blindness or visual impairment means a loss or partial loss of the sense of sight. What it doesn't mean is that those who are impacted by this must aim lower or feel inferior. An abundance of vision aids does a fantastic job of replacing the sense of sight in the best way possible.
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Photo: A young woman, with red hair and red lipstick – Antonia Feistenauer – in front of an snowy background; Copyright: my_own.little_world

my_own.little.world

Antonia Feistenauer – That's how she rolls

06/10/2021

When you are disabled and/or chronically ill, self-acceptance is an important step in dealing with yourself and your disability – or in Antonia Feistenauer's case, her disabilities and diseases. What or who helps her in everyday life, what – on the other hand – would help society in dealing with disabilities, she told REHACARE.com.
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Photo: a man getting lifted in a huge wheel loader, his wheelchair is standing ob the ground; Copyright: PARAVAN GmbH

PARAVAN GmbH

Promoting career self-determination with adaptive utility work machines

28/09/2021

Mobility is a key ability to live a self-determined life. It pertains to both the private and the professional realm: Agriculture, logistics, public service – none of them are possible without automobility. But who converts commercial vehicles to make them accessible for people with disabilities? And who pays for the costs? REHACARE.com looked into the matter.
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Photo: a young man with glasses sits in a wheelchair on a hill at dusk, a river and the illuminated river bank can be seen in the background - Tobi Kroll; Copyright: Tobi Kroll

Tobias Kroll

Tobi Kroll – That's how he rolls

16/06/2021

How can we arrive in an inclusive world? Tobi Kroll has a few suggestions, because he is always thinking about barriers – both structural and social. But he also has some ideas about how society can accommodate people with disabilities. Who he would like to discuss our society with and how he otherwise rolls, he tells us on REHACARE.com.
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Photo: a woman wearing a trikot and a helmet sitting in a wheelchair on a basketball field, she is holding a basketball – Ronja Holze; Copyright: Drazen Lovric

Drazen Lovric

Ronja Holze – That's how she rolls

02/06/2021

Sport has a special significance in Ronja Holzes life: First it helped her to accept her new life situation, then she fought her way up to the world championship and into the national squad in just a few years. Which sports she is talking about here, which auxiliary mean is particularly important for her life as an athlete and how she otherwise rolls, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
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Photo: A wheelchair user rides on cobblestones toward a larger crowd at a market; Copyright: Lukas Kapfer | www.th-10.de

Lukas Kapfer | www.th-10.de

Full participation: paving the way to an inclusive society

31/05/2021

Whether it affects cultural, political, economic, or social life – people with disabilities have a right to participation. This was recognized and stipulated in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. But how is society as a whole implementing this directive? How are inclusion and participation put into practice and what role do companies play in promoting diversity?
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Photo: male wheelchair user taking a picture of an elderly couple in front of the Frankfurt am Main skyline; Copyright: Visit Frankfurt, Andi Weiland | Gesellschaftsbilder.de

Visit Frankfurt, Andi Weiland | Gesellschaftsbilder.de

Making society more inclusive: with social commitment to greater participation

31/05/2021

Inclusion and participation – keywords that can evoke very different emotions. The fact is that much more needs to be done for an inclusive society. But there is no one right way. Because participation must be implemented in many different areas. Companies also play an important role in this context – and are already taking decisive steps in the right direction.
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Photo: a woman with light grey hair, glasses and a green t-shirt is sinnting in a wheelchair in front of a building, on her legs she carries a ramp made of tiny bricks; Copyright: Lego-Oma-Team

Lego-Oma-Team

Rita Ebel – That's how she rolls

19/05/2021

Rita Ebel has become known as the "Lego granny": Since accessibility is still a scarce commodity, she designs ramps made of interlocking plastic bricks. Boxes of the colourful bricks are stored in her house and are transformed into ramps with creative patterns. Why she herself is dependent on accessibility, why she never loses her smile and how she otherwise rolls, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
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Photo: a woman with brown hair and glasses is on the left side of the picture, in the background is the sea – Anne Schütz; Copyright: Holger Schütz

Holger Schütz

Anne Schütz – That's how she rolls

05/05/2021

Anne Schütz already learned in primary school that no distinction should be made between people with or without disabilities. So it's no surprise that she would like to meet the namesake of her primary school. Who that is, which device means independence for her and how she otherwise rolls, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
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Photo: ; Copyright: Andi Weiland | Boehringer Ingelheim, Gesellschaftsbilder.de

Andi Weiland | Boehringer Ingelheim, Gesellschaftsbilder.de

Assistive devices in the workplace: Making communication accessible

26/04/2021

Especially for blind and visually impaired people, the lack of or non-working augmentative communication devices frequently means that they have no prospect of participating in the workplace. We discussed with Bruno Behrendt from Papenmeier why screen readers are sometimes nothing more than pretty tools and learned why technical support is THE perennial issue when it comes to customer service.
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Photo: a young woman – Lily Rice – is wearing a helmet and doing a stunt in a pink wheelchair; Copyright: Steven Clarey

Steven Clarey

Lily Rice – That's how she rolls

10/02/2021

Lily Rice can usually be found at the skatepark, refining her WCMX techniques in her pink wheelchair. The training is paying off: Lily entered the scene in 2017, two years later she was Women's World Champion. It was only logical that her biggest challenge to date was in the halfpipe – what it was, who motivates her and how she otherwise rolls, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
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Photo: Close-up of a wheelchair user in front of a Myd'l ramp; Copyright: Myd'l

Myd'l

Myd'l: Diverse, innovative and individual – ramps for all occasions

28/01/2021

Shopping – especially in city centers – can quickly turn from pleasure to frustration. Namely, when stores are only accessible via one or more steps. The French company Myd'l has a solution ready for every barrier in terms of accessibility – whether private or business. Successfully active in international business for 22 years, the manufacturer now also offers its products in Germany.
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Photo: a young woman in a red dress is sitting in a black wheelchair, the sea is in the background; Copyright: Ines Zeifert

Ines Zeifert

Lilli Zeifert – That's how she rolls

27/01/2021

Lilli Zeifert has already seen a lot of the world. Perhaps that's why her great love is for what there is still to discover beyond the Earth: Whatever there is to find out about astrophysics – Lilli wants to know. Who she thinks are the smartest minds of all time, what she would like to discuss with them and how she otherwise rolls, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
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Photo: a woman in white jeans and black top – Evelyn Brezina – is sitting in a wheelchair which is placed in front of multi-coloured stairs; Copyright: Lucia Titkova

Lucia Titkova

Evelyn Brezina – That's how she rolls

13/01/2021

Vienna from a wheelchair perspective – this is how Evelyn Brezina captures all the beauty in her surroundings in her photos. Because she really loves taking pictures. What assistive devices she would like to have for this passion, who she would like to ask as many questions as possible and how she otherwise rolls, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
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Photo: a bald man with a beard in standting in a sports stadium. He wears a black shirt that says

Kim Cremer

Kim Cremer – That's how he rolls

16/12/2020

Kim Cremer is a doer, he doesn't let anything stop him. And even though he doesn't need a wheelchair himself, he sees where society still has a lot to catch up when it comes to accessibility – both in everyday life and in people's minds. Who has always encouraged him in his doer mentality, how this mentality fits in with his big dream and and how he otherwise rolls, he tells us on REHACARE.com.
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Photo: Peter Lammer at REHACARE 2019; Copyright: beta-web

beta-web

Standing Ovation facilitates mobility at the workplace

12/12/2019

Sitting while standing up – Standing Ovation makes this oxymoron possible. The rail system with its C-shaped seat bar and seat lifting unit allows Austrian chef Peter Lammer to sustain his job despite an 80 percent disability rating pertaining to his legs. With REHACARE.com he talked about the invention that brought back his zest for life and the feedback he received at this year's trade fair.
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Photo: Patrick Mayer in the German TV show

VOX / TVNOW / Frank W. Hempel

Mobility: Overcoming barriers with Wheelblades

28/11/2019

Whether they are on vacation in the mountains or brave winter weather at home – people with mobility impairments want to take precautions to arrive safely at their destination. Patrick Mayer is personally affected by disability and developed two products that enable wheelchair and walking aid users to master these situations: Wheelblades and the SafetyFoot.
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Photo: Prototype of the sensor for a cane; Copyright: Zahout-Heil

Zahout-Heil

SmAccLab: Smart auxiliary means for everyone

28/05/2019

Accessible and realistic – that’s how auxiliary aids should be in the eyes of Professor Carsten Zahout. Students at the Smart Accessibility Laboratory (SmAccLab) are working on technical solutions that fulfill these requirements and lead to increased participation for people with disabilities. REHACARE.com found out how product engineering and inclusion join forces.
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Photo: Andreas Hettwer (left) and Max Prigge; Copyright: Carina Hettwer

Carina Hettwer

Self-determined living: careunities creates flat sharing for people with physical disabilities

24/01/2019

For many people, living in a shared accommodation is a matter of course. But how well does this work if you have a physical disability and require assistance? This is where careunities comes in. The online platform matches people up with future roommates and also plans to retrofit buildings for accessibility, thus creating more shared living spaces.
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Photo: A woman in a beach wheelchair; Copyright: Timo Hermann | Gesellschaftsbilder.de

Timo Hermann | Gesellschaftsbilder.de

Tourism for All: "Traveling is not just about physical access"

19/07/2018

Tourism is for everybody. The aim of the British organisation Tourism for All is to make travel accessible. Whether travelers, policy makers or companies, Tourism for All wants to operate with and for everyone. REHACARE.com asked, how the attitude of companies and politicians towards people with disabilities has changed and what the European tourism market has to offer.
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Photo: Speaker at the conference during the M-Enabling Summit 2017 in Washington; Copyright: M-Enabling Summit

M-Enabling Summit

M-Enabling Forum: "The best assistive technologies cannot be useful if our digital environment is not accessible"

21/06/2018

Self-determined living needs accessibility. This does not only apply to step-free entrance for wheelchair users, but also for the digital environment. For example, when blind people surf the internet with a screen reader, they need web sites that are accessible. But reality often looks different. Reason enough for the M-Enabling Forum to focus on this topic at this year's REHACARE.
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Photo: An accessible bus for the transport of people with disabilities. The hydraulic ramp is on the ground; Copyright: panthermedia.net/Valeriy_Al

panthermedia.net/Valeriy_Al

TTC Wheel-Trans: Accessible transport for people with disabilities in Toronto

17/05/2018

In Canada, the North Americans are far ahead of us Germans when it comes to accessibility. If you are a guest in Toronto, you not only have the possibility to travel with the usual public transport, but you can also opt for the 100 percent accessible alternative and use Wheel-Trans.
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Photo: Stefanie Trzecinski; Copyright: Johannes Franke

Johannes Franke

"At the TUECHTIG coworking space, people with and without disabilities are working together – and not just next to each other"

22/03/2018

Maximum flexibility to encourage ideas, effectively sharing office space: coworking spaces have become a part of many major cities. In 2017, Berlin featured about one hundred of them, but none of them were comprehensively accessible. That’s something Stefanie Trzecinski from KOPF, HAND + FUSS gGmbH wanted to change. That was the moment, the idea for "TUECHTIG – Raum für Inklusion" was born.
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Photo: Martina Gollner (left) and Christina Rieder, the founders of FullAccess; Copyright: FullAccess

FullAccess

"At FullAccess, the 'Accessibility All Areas' slogan says it all"

15/02/2018

Two music enthusiasts were fed up with the lack of leisure activity choices and programs for people with disabilities. That’s why Christina Riedler and Martina Gollner decided to set up their own business with FullAccess and try to make concert promoters aware of people with disabilities as prospective customers and thus contribute to making society more tolerant.
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Photo: Blind Man touches the plug-in model of the Porta Nigra; Copyright: Ledwig

Ledwig

Self-guided museum visits for visually impaired people

18/01/2018

Visually impaired and blind people can now enjoy stunning visits to the City Museum Trier thanks to audio tracks, tactile reproductions, and replicas. Together with students who participated in the "Cross Media" seminar as part of their studies at the University of Trier, Design Professor Christopher Ledwig developed a one-of-a-kind multimedia service in Germany: the so-called "blind kit" trolley.
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Photo: Florian Adler; Copyright: Tim de Gruisbourne

Tim de Gruisbourne

"Inclusive communication design is both accessible and attractive"

15/06/2017

For many, recognizing and understanding characters is an important prerequisite to social participation. Inclusive communication design helps people with visual impairments to accomplish this. REHACARE.com spoke with designer and expert of the German Association for Blind and Visually Impaired People, Florian Adler. He has developed a digital guide to inclusive communication design.
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Photo: Sandra Glöckler; Copyright: Rolli auf Trab

Rolli auf Trab

"Horse riding is a sport people with and without impairments are able to experience together on equal footing"

20/04/2017

More self-confidence and independence – things you can learn from horse riding for example. People with disabilities can take this important step with "Rolli auf Trab" (English: Trotting with Wheelchairs). REHACARE.com spoke with Sandra Glöckler of "Rolli auf Trab" about the lust for life that horse riding inspires and the interaction and experiences with the animals.
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Photo: Hauke Hückstädt; Copyright: Bookster Frankfurt Stephan Jockel

Bookster Frankfurt Stephan Jockel

"Hardly any texts by famous authors are specifically written in Simple Language"

20/04/2017

Literature should be accessible to all – including people who depend on texts written in Simple English. A project in Frankfurt, Germany, now wants to make this possible. REHACARE.com spoke with Hauke Hückstädt, the director of the Literaturhaus Frankfurt about the "Frankfurt, deine Geschichte. Literatur in Einfacher Sprache" project.
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Photo: Hands on a book printed in Braille; Copyright: panthermedia.net/belchonock

panthermedia.net/belchonock

Books for the blind: "IT corporations lead the way. They consider accessibility a selling point"

16/02/2017

A wizarding student who triumphs over evil. A girl who meets the love of her life. Literature has many facets and captivates us with wonderful stories day in and day out. Yet not everyone has access to these texts because accessible books for blind or visually impaired people are few and far between.
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Photo: Patrick Dohmen in the LernLaden; Copyright: WDR/EUKOBA

WDR/EUKOBA

Accessibility: "We need a shift in awareness in the retail sector"

22/12/2016

Shopping with a disability is no easy feat: almost every store is not accessible. But what does accessibility in retail actually mean? REHACARE.com spoke with Patrick Dohmen of the EUKOBA Association about the idea behind the LernLaden (English: Learning Store) and the awareness and sensitization project for retailers, employees and apprentices.
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Photo: Martin Habacher; Copyright: Andreas Pöschek

Andreas Pöschek

Inclusive storyteller: "You can definitely make a difference and change things"

24/11/2016

There are some unique and interesting stories about accessibility and disability. Martin Habacher is someone who tells these stories. His goal is to find and then share them with the world on his YouTube channel. REHACARE.com spoke with Martin Habacher about his most beautiful story and his motivation to look beyond what he sees.
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Photo: map of Germany

Lutum+Tappert

Accessibility should be considered from the start for medical practices

28/04/2016

Disabled parking spaces, lower counters, stair lifts, and elevators – those are just a few of the provisions of an accessible medical practice. Yet many physician offices don’t meet these requirements. To make it easier for people with disabilities to find available accessible medical practices close-by, the "Accessible Practice" project has created a directory.
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Photo: Simon Janatzek talks about accessible smartphones

beta-web/Günther

If you buy them, some smartphones are already accessible

14/04/2016

A quick check on your smartphone to see when the next bus leaves or letting your friend know via WhatsApp that you are running late: those are mundane situations for many people. Yet how accessible are smartphones actually for visually impaired and blind people? REHACARE.com spoke with Simon Janatzek. He is visually impaired and tells us which apps are helpful in everyday life.
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Photo: Anna Hartmann

bff/Jörg Farys

"Suse" helps abused and battered women and girls with disabilities

23/02/2016

Representative studies show: women and girls with disabilities face significantly more violence than women without disabilities. Yet they rarely seek help since their disability often makes access to therespective support systems difficult. The "Suse" Project offers affected persons accessible support services, for instance in the form of Easy English.
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Photo: meeting in the PIKSL Lab

PIKSL

"PIKSL focuses on the removal of digital barriers"

26/01/2016

Digital transformation does not only cause problems for persons with disabilities. Companies are also facing digital barriers they need to overcome. The PIKSL Lab makes digital inclusion its priority: together, individuals with and without disabilities work on removing digital barriers. In this interview with REHACARE.de, Project Manager Tobias Marczinzik explains the PIKSL concept.
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Photo: Hedwig Reiffs with a visitor and a wheelchair driver

"Comprehensive accessibility would benefit all of us"

12/02/2015

What is it like when you have to manage everyday life in a wheelchair? And what effects do age-related limitations have on mobility? Interested parties can experience this with the help of a wheelchair course and an age simulation suit. REHACARE.com spoke with Hedwig Reiffs from the Self-Help Organization of Physically Disabled Persons Bonn, who recently attended this kind of adventure day.
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