27/11/2024
When it comes to product development in the assistive technology sector, it is important to involve people with disabilities in the processes. After all, they are ultimately the users – they can enrich the development process by sharing their experiences and are best qualified to judge whether an innovation really helps.15/05/2024
Achim Bauch is one of thousands of people worldwide who are still living with the consequences of the thalidomide scandal of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Which moment he remembers most fondly from a few years ago and how he rolls otherwise, he tells us on REHACARE.com.24/04/2024
The fight against Long Covid and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) gains momentum with the #UniteToFight2024 conference. This international, community-driven event, the first of its kind, has already attracted over 3,000 registrations worldwide in just two weeks.04/12/2023
The non-governmental organization "Agape Ukraine" has awarded Frank Sodermanns the "White Cross" for his commitment to the evacuation of people with disabilities from Ukraine. The award underlines the importance of the commitment and the ongoing need for financial support for the relief operation.15/11/2023
A delegation from the European Disability Forum, led by Nadia Hadad, met the Director General of the European Commission's Directorate General for Mobility and Transport, Magda Kopczynska. The meeting focused on issues such as ensuring equal access to transport for people with disabilities and guaranteeing their rights as passengers when traveling by air.13/11/2023
ReWalk Robotics Ltd. today announced its acceptance to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ("CMS") for final approval of the Home Health Prospective Payment System Rule CMS-1780 for calendar year 2024. At issue is the inclusion of exoskeletons in the Medicare Brace benefit category.25/10/2023
On October 9, 2023, the IX BACK AIR exoskeleton from "SUITX by Ottobock" was introduced for use in the logistics industry, combining the benefits of both rigid and soft systems. The innovation is designed to significantly reduce the workload in logistics and increase efficiency.23/10/2023
The UN released a report on disaster preparedness for people with disabilities, highlighting a lack of progress over the past decade. Key findings show that many individuals with disabilities lack preparedness plans, access to disaster information, and awareness of risk reduction plans, while they also have limited participation in community-level decision-making.16/10/2023
Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute are developing ultrasonic sensors to control prosthetic hands. The sensors transmit sound pulses into the muscle tissue of the arm and enable the recognition of movement patterns, which are then sent to the prosthesis in real time by an AI-controlled electronic box.28/08/2023
The European Disability Forum Youth Committee discusses the significance of youth participation in the upcoming European elections, stressing the importance of accessible education, employment opportunities, and comprehensive accessibility for individuals with disabilities. They emphasize the role of voting in shaping Europe's future and advocating for disabled individuals' rights and inclusion.28/08/2023
Roland Arnold founded PARAVAN after learning about the challenges of accessibility and developed technical solutions for people with disabilities, including a drive-by-wire system for controlling cars. The company has continued to develop since then, expanding its product portfolio and working on innovative solutions for autonomous vehicles.22/08/2023
Messe Düsseldorf (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. has upgraded REHACARE SHANGHAI to REHACARE CHINA and moved the trade fair to Suzhou. The event will take place from 23 to 25 August 2023.We spoke to James Zhang, Senior Project Director of Messe Düsseldorf (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. about the background, the importance of the show for the country and the highlights of the event.14/08/2023
Sunrise Medical introduces the QUICKIE QS5 X, a lightweight folding wheelchair with revolutionary FreeFold design, boasting the lowest weight in its class and 40% energy savings upon folding. The QS5 X offers effortless folding, exceptional strength through proprietary technologies, and user-driven smart options for enhanced riding experience.09/08/2023
The medical technology company Ottobock has launched the height-adjustable Taleo Adjust prosthetic foot, which allows people with prosthetic legs to freely choose between different types of shoes. Thanks to feedback from users such as Zainab Al-Eqabi, the user-friendliness of the prosthetic foot has been improved.31/07/2023
Funke Medical GmbH has expanded its product range with the MobiTurn® turning and positioning aid, which can be used in inpatient and home care. The intelligent aid facilitates the repositioning of immobile patients and enables back-friendly care.12/07/2023
Sunrise Medical Group won the "New Product of the Year" award at the Scandinavian Health & Rehab Messe 2023 in Denmark for their Switch-It Vigo Head Drive. The innovative device impressed judges with its sleek design, practical functionality, and the potential for further development.10/07/2023
PARAVAN GmbH demonstrates a wide range of possibilities for individually adapting vehicles and machines to make it easier for people with disabilities to re-enter working life, whether through adaptations to access or the control of the vehicles. Inclusion in the workplace requires willingness and a common basic understanding among all parties involved.10/07/2023
The new EU Directive on Corporate Sustainability Reporting requires companies operating in the EU to report on their practices for the inclusion of persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups. The reporting standards have been published, and companies will gradually implement them starting from the financial year 2024.07/07/2023
As a trade fair for rehabilitation and care, REHACARE has been a meeting place for people who work in this specialist field or individuals who themselves have a disability and their relatives for over 40 years. Each come to discover the latest developments and opportunities, for example in the field of aids, training and careers, therapy or travel/leisure.07/07/2023
In times of skills shortages, more companies are recognizing the potential of inclusion in the labor market. Many job advertisements now explicitly address people with disabilities. Public agencies provide support and advice on (re)entering the workforce.05/07/2023
The FUSE R is an active wheelchair that combines the best features and developments from MEYRA GmbH and Rainer Küschall. In addition to a modern rigid frame, it offers individual adjustment of seat height and center of gravity via the seat module, various customization options and a wide range of colors.03/07/2023
Drive Medical is expanding its series around the lightweight rollator Torro with the Torro Acero. Despite its low weight, this rollator can carry loads of up to 150 kilograms and can be used both indoors and outdoors. It also offers comfort thanks to its large and soft seats.03/07/2023
The Ottobock company celebrates life with its first global brand campaign #IAmAMountain. The song "Mountain" by Sam Ryder, which is the centerpiece of the campaign, is about perseverance and courage while Ottobock's campaign focuses on inspiring people with disabilities and their stories to change the image of them in society.28/06/2023
Roland and Luca Arnold are driving the PARAVAN Mercedes-GT3 #65 together in the GTC Race and are working on the development of new input devices for disability mobility and automated driving. Their goal is to contribute to the future of disability mobility and to develop innovative solutions.26/06/2023
As a trade fair for rehabilitation and care, REHACARE has been a meeting place for people who work in this specialist field or individuals who themselves have a disability and their relatives for over 40 years. Each come to discover the latest developments and opportunities, for example in the field of aids, training and careers, therapy or travel/leisure.26/06/2023
The topics of digitization and robotics are becoming increasingly tangible for us and, in many cases, they enrich our lives. They also offer a great support for people with disabilities. Speech computers can give people without the ability to speak a voice again, apps improve the effectiveness of hearing aids and care robots are already helping within retirement and nursing homes.14/06/2023
PARAVAN GmbH offers holistic solutions for the mobility of people with disabilities, including vehicle conversions, electric wheelchairs and individual adaptations. Their 360-degree approach enables customers to be independent and mobile.12/06/2023
Learning Disability Week, taking place from June 19 to June 25, 2023, aims to challenge misconceptions about life with a learning disability and highlight the achievements of individuals with such disabilities. Mencap encourages participation through reading and learning, volunteering, campaigning for equal rights, and donating to learning disability charities.07/06/2023
The neuromodulation suit "Exopulse Mollii Suit" helps people with multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke and other neurological disorders that cause similar symptoms. 58 electrodes stimulate individually affected muscle groups. This activates the muscles and reduces spasticity, which provides a reduction in pain.05/06/2023
On May 23, the European Parliament and the European Disability Forum renewed their long-standing partnership to host the "5th European Parliament of People with Disabilities". An event that allows disability representatives and people with disabilities to share their concerns directly with European Union policy makers.01/06/2023
The Space Drive driving and steering system from PARAVAN enables Ingrid Höhling, wo has Postpolio, to steer her new VW Caddy 5 with her left foot without much effort and without tiring.17/05/2023
Permobil has published its sustainability report which underlines that their key contribution to sustainability is raising the societal inclusion question. To drive change and increase inclusiveness and diversity, Permobil ran a campaign to challenge attitudes and inspire others to see possibilities in every individual.15/05/2023
The technology of "the glasses that replace the guide dog" has been patented in the USA and will soon be patented in the European Union. The technology provides a new level of mobility and self-determination for people with blindness and visual impairments, replicating the capabilities of a guide dog through cameras, computer chips, haptic signals, and sounds.08/05/2023
Before choosing a shower chair, a full assessment of mobility needs should be completed by an occupational therapist to determine the necessary equipment and carer support. Showerbuddy can be customised to fit different types of showers and can provide support for both showering and toileting, with a range of adjustment options available to cater to body support needs.03/05/2023
A visit to REHACARE is nothing like other traditional business settings. You quickly realize that this venue makes room for heartfelt and inspirational stories. One reason for this is the end users, who rely on many products as indispensable resources to master their daily lives. Another reason is business owners who forge valuable contacts with other industry participants at the trade fair.26/04/2023
Dressing and undressing, getting in and out of a car or bus, reaching for and picking up objects – for people with mobility impairments, even everyday tasks like these can become a challenge and create a barrier. Many assistive technology companies join forces to provide better assistance for people with disabilities. Several REHACARE exhibitors are among this dedicated group of collaborators.26/04/2023
Drive Medical GmbH & Co. KG provides information about any features of electric wheelchairs and compares them with manual wheelchairs. In doing so, it highlights the advantages and areas of application that make them important for people with limited mobility and their relatives.24/04/2023
A report calls on the European Commission to present a proposal for an adequate minimum income in the European Union. In this report there are important considerations on the subject of disability. The European Disability Forum strongly supports the campaign of the Social Platform on this topic.19/04/2023
The company Ottobock has launched the Quickchange Adapter 4R11, which allows amputees to independently detach and reattach their prosthetic components from the prosthetic socket. The product was developed in close cooperation with users.18/04/2023
Autonomy instead of dependency, social inclusion instead of social isolation – that's the motto of ergoflix. Leveraging high levels of motivation and conviction, the medical equipment manufacturer is committed to making it easier to access smart and aesthetic mobility equipment. The company developed a series of foldable electric wheelchair models that promote an active and flexible lifestyle.17/04/2023
Katja, who has a restricted field after a riding accident, was able – thanks to innovative camera technology and environment recognition in the car – to successfully view her driving test at the PARAVAN driving school in the Aichelau mobility park. In her future car, too, a monitor with the necessary environment recognition will be installed on the center console.17/04/2023
Carrefour is stepping up its support for people on the autism spectrum with a number of initiatives with for example store maps on the bars of its shopping trollies. After "quiet shopping times" were integrated two years ago, this is another important step to make life easier for people with disabilities when shopping.13/04/2023
The new THERA-Trainer senso is a highly efficient training device for improving mental and physical performance and reducing the risk of falls. Numerous scientifically validated training programs are available for selection. Intelligent algorithms automatically adapt the games to the individual performance capacity.11/04/2023
With the new product ARTHROSEAT©, Funke Medical adds an orthopedic seating system to its portfolio. This arthrodesis seat cushion relieves hip and knee joints when sitting, alleviates pain and corrects incorrect posture.05/04/2023
The company Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA continues its focus on ergonomic workplaces. Highlights include the latest Ottobock BackX and Ottobock Shoulder exoskeletons, which support people in industries such as logistics, retail, automotive and aviation.03/04/2023
Para athletes like Robyn Lambird, Frances Rivera and Kanya Sesser are embracing their bodies and leading the revolution to make the fashion industry more inclusive for people with disabilities.27/03/2023
With a new technique for people who need prostheses after amputations, the University of Bath is developing a technology that allows patients and their families to photograph the remaining stump. The aim is to replicate the results clinicians in specialist clinics can achieve with high-end 3D scanners, but remotely and at a fraction of the cost.20/03/2023
Many stroke survivors suffer from aphasia. According to a recent study at the University of Helsinki, singing-based group rehabilitation can support patients' communication and speech production and increase social activity even in the chronic phase of stroke.15/03/2023
Denise was 29 years old when she underwent disc surgery – a seemingly harmless procedure. However, the surgery didn't go as smoothly as planned and when she woke up from anaesthesia, she could no longer feel her right thigh. The diagnosis: incomplete paraplegia. The world's first smart leg orthosis, the C-Brace® has given the mother of two new mobility and improved her quality of life.13/02/2023
Forgetfulness is often one of the first recognizable signs of dementia. In its early stages, the condition initially affects short-term memory and gradually progresses to more long-term memory loss. Yet there are many accompanying symptoms that make daily living for people with dementia challenging.16/11/2022
The grip-strengthening glove Carbonhand® from Bioservo is now classified and approved as a medical device under the European Medical Device Regulation (EU MDR). The grip strengthening glove gives people with limited hand function additional strength and endurance in their grip and is equipped with sensors at the fingertips.29/08/2022
Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare offers a wide range of shower stools, chairs and folding seats. Shower chairs are all equipped with backrests and usually with armrests. Another space-saving shower companion can be mounted on the wall and easily fold up and down. In this way, the company wants to provide comfort and stability.24/01/2022
Business stagnation is never a good thing. It’s the reason assistive technology manufacturers continuously come up with innovative equipment and improve on their existing products. REHACARE.com shows the influence users have on the assistive technology industry and explains the research and development processes in manufacturing companies.06/10/2021
I am here, we are here, and the world should know it – with this message, the World Cerebral Palsy Day on October 6 should not only draw more attention to the disease. It is also intended to raise awareness of the fact that there is still a lot of catching up to do in terms of the participation of people with cerebral palsy in many areas of society.29/07/2021
Dogs are not only popular pets, but in some cases they also do important work: Assistance dogs trained for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are not only a physical companion in everyday life, but above all must also be a psychological support. The association Rehahunde Deutschland e.V. trains such dogs. This year it celebrated its 15th anniversary.15/06/2021
Some aids may play a minor role in life, but they make everyday life much easier. These include products from iuvas medical: on the one hand, the transparent mask miama, which makes communication in the pandemic clearer. On the other hand, the sippa drinking aid, in which the contents are kept constantly at the top by a membrane so that people with dysphagia can swallow more easily.22/04/2021
Head support systems for ALS patients are often not sophisticated and resemble neck braces. The University of Sheffield developed the HeadUp Collar, which can be individually adapted to the needs of the patient. REHACARE.com asked Anita Ogale, Product Manager at ProWalk, what makes the new head support system so special.03/03/2021
Finally standing up by themselves, being able to reach for a glass, looking over the railing in the zoo without any problems or simply darting around the square with their playmates without having to be pushed or lifted up. The new PARAVAN PR 35 S fulfils these children's dreams. It is small, compact, colourful and versatile.02/03/2021
Incontinence comes with a list of misconceptions. Yet it is quite common and should not be a taboo subject. Incontinence affects many people: besides older adults, this includes pregnant women, people who are paralyzed or children. How do you manage incontinence and self-catheterization if you are affected and what are available product options and consultation services?02/03/2021
A variety of solutions can help when the intestines don’t work properly: a stoma is an artificial opening designed to treat disease, relieve symptoms and make life easier. Transanal irrigation (TAI) is another well-documented technique that helps remediate fecal incontinence and constipation. Medical device manufacturers and home care experts help find the best solution to every problem.22/02/2021
AMF-Bruns manufactured the world’s first retractor 4-point system for wheelchairs and their occupants in the 1970s. At the beginning of 2021, the European market leader for wheelchair accessible vehicle conversions introduces a new generation of the PROTEKTOR occupant and wheelchair restraint system and sets a new standard in safety, design, and functionality.06/10/2020
The outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic has been a global stress test and underscored the fact that digitization has not yet reached all sectors in Germany. Healthcare turns out to be an area that still has a lot of catching up to do. REHACARE.com spoke the managing directors of the opta data Gruppe about the challenges and opportunities of a comprehensive approach to digitization in this sector.02/05/2018
Rehabilitation is the silent hero of the healthcare system. Whether it’s artificial cruciate ligaments after a sports injury, a permanent disability after an accident or recovery after a stroke – no matter whether a condition is reversible or not, rehabilitation tries its best to prepare people for a self-determined life and make participation a reality again.