Xiaxia
Rong Xia – That's how she rolls
22.03.2023
An unexpected amputation completely changed Rong Xia's life. But she took this as an opportunity to deal with the topic professionally and to found her own company for the development of prostheses. What her goals are and how else she rolls, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
European Disability Forum
Web Accessibility Directive: better feedback mechanism, more expertise needed
20.03.2023
An evaluation report by the European Commission reported on the first three years of application of the Web Accessibility Directive (WAD). The period of the review overlaps with the accelerated digital transformation brought on by the pandemic.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Messe Düsseldorf / ctillmann
Review of the forum presentations at REHACARE
12.12.2022
Exciting products and many presentations could be experienced at the expert forum PRODUCTS & NEWS @REHACARE and at the TREFFPUNKT REHACARE 2022. We have summarized what there was to discover in a review of the forums.
Messe Düsseldorf / ctillmann
TREFFPUNKT REHACARE 2022: Highlight topics from the expert forum
12.12.2022
TREFFPUNKT REHACARE is your central platform for lectures, panel discussions, and the exchange of information and experience. Topics included the digitization of the workplace and recreational environment, technical assistance and vocational rehabilitation with a focus on exoskeletons, job coaching, and rehabilitation for people living with long or post-COVID conditions.
Messe Düsseldorf / ctillmann
REHACARE 2022: Innovations and the latest news from the PRODUCTS & NEWS @REHACARE Expert Forum
12.12.2022
Humans have always been resourceful when it came to creating solutions to compensate for physical disabilities. In ancient Egypt, prosthetic devices for the big toe provided suppor. It’s anyone’s guess how well or badly their respective users could walk or eat with these tools. We know that they could not visit the REHACARE trade fair back in those days.
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.
Ottobock
Assistive technology for children with disabilities: Product variety promotes participation
30.11.2022
Children need room to roam, explore, and learn how to set and respect boundaries. Unfortunately, children with disabilities may encounter barriers when it comes to these life activities. Luckily, there is a myriad of assistive technology devices to face any obstacle: REHACARE 2022 showcased tools that ran the gamut from car seats, rehab buggies to standing mobility and movement devices.
Wolturnus
Assistive technology for children with disabilities: Wheelchairs promote mobility
30.11.2022
Mobility is key for overall child development. That is why children who have limited movement depend on getting the right wheelchair at an early stage to compensate for their disability and encourage participation. Manufacturers of pediatric wheelchairs are acutely aware of the important role they play in this setting. They showcased a wide variety of wheelchairs for children at REHACARE 2022.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Ribcap
Ribcap: A weighted blanket to increase sleep and inclusion
25.05.2022
A good night sleep contributes to a healthy life and a good mood. That is why equipment supporting and improving sleep quality is on the rise. Ribcap now developed a high-quality weighted blanket to increase not only sleep quality but also inclusion. The company targets an underrecognized group: people with different conditions that decrease their sleep quality.
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.
privat
Hannah B. – That's how she rolls
23.03.2022
More awareness in everyday life – that's what Hannah B. wishes from society in regards to disabilities and their various forms. On REHACARE.com, the 25-year-old from Berlin reveals who or what restored her lost self-confidence and how she rolls otherwise.
Jana Bittner
Marco Pompe – That's how he rolls
23.02.2022
Sport as a means of inclusion – that can work. Marco Pompe is convinced of that. On REHACARE.com he reveals how he envisions it, which barriers he would still like to break down for people with disabilities and how he rolls otherwise.
privat
Christian S. – That's how he rolls
26.01.2022
When talking about disabilities, many people first think of a person in a wheelchair. However, there are numerous physical and mental disabilities that are not visible at first glance. On REHACARE.com Christian S. tells us how he deals with his invisible disability and what he expects from society when it comes to dealing with disabilities.
Stiftung Pfennigparade
World Cerebral Palsy Day – for inclusion and social participation
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.
privat
Claudia Staudt – That's how she rolls
28.07.2021
Love is the most important thing, everything else is secondary – Claudia Staudt realised this when she adopted her daughter. Lenas disability was not the focus of attention at any time. She wishes that her fellow human beings would see it in exactly the same way. How she copes with difficult situations, what she is particularly grateful and how she otherwise rolls, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
privat
Janine Kolbig – That's how she rolls
14.07.2021
Living a self-determined life is a matter of the heart for Janine Kolbig. She is the founder of the Centre for Self-Determined Living Northern Germany, which advises people with disabilities and represents their interests. What self-determination means to her, who the origin of this movement is for her and how she otherwise rolls, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
Jim Dukes Photography
Jesi Stracham – That's how she rolls
30.06.2021
Jesi Stracham is a wheelchair user and has no problem with it: Over the years, she has learned to accept herself as she is and to detach herself from societal expectations – she no longer wants to have any labels put on her. How she has achieved this mindset, why every day is a good day for her and how she otherwise rolls, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
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?
opta data Abrechnungs GmbH
Corporate social responsibility: diversity is an asset
31.05.2021
Accessibility, participation, and inclusion are buzzwords associated with people with disabilities. The notion that we should focus on people’s abilities, not their disabilities is a lesson that is not yet fully understood by most - especially when it comes to labor force participation. We took a closer look at the role companies and their social responsibility play in spurring social changes.
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.
LIFEtool
Computer-aided communication: assistive technology promotes participation
29.04.2021
Whether it is voice recognition with or without eye tracking technology, educational or speech recognition software – assistive technology builds bridges that allow people to get in touch with their surroundings.
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.
Rolling Pants
Thoughtful and smart: adaptive fashion as an inclusion booster
30.03.2021
March and April are the months the media home in on the fashion trends of Spring/Summer 2021 – as do (online) stores, of course. High time for REHACARE.com to check in with several labels. And who knows? Maybe your closet will soon also feature a piece of some of our highlighted brands?
Quokka
Functionality included: accessories for people with disabilities
02.03.2021
Sometimes an outfit is just an outfit – perhaps it’s not terribly exciting or unique, but it does the job. But expressing your individuality from time to time never hurt anyone. How do you showcase your personal style? With the right accessories: a scarf, a belt, or a matching bag. REHACARE.com took a closer look at companies that accommodate the specific needs of people with disabilities.
So Yes
All around self-determination – fashion and accessories for wheelchair users
02.03.2021
Looks like a pair of jeans, feels like a pair of jeans, is also a pair of jeans: But unlike jeans from the non-adaptive fashion segment, it is actually comfortable and functional for wheelchair users. And besides jeans, there are other items of clothing that, with a little adaptation, ensure that people with disabilities can be just as fashionable as others.
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.
Exero Technologies
Functionality meets design: the new adaptive sport equipment Spike
29.10.2020
Activities aiming at occupational therapy and rehabilitation are boring? Not necessarily! A new assistive exercise and sports equipment named Spike is not only designed to be fun, but also suitable for everybody who wants to get and stay fit. How this works for whom and what kind of history connects Spike with REHACARE? We asked!
Brio Photography / Pro Walk GmbH
Pro Walk: Overcoming foot drop one step at a time
24.09.2020
Safe walking without tripping or falling is challenging for people with foot drop. Luckily there are technologies that provide active support by using functional electrical stimulation (FES). Pro Walk GmbH delivers these types of foot drop systems. How do these devices allow users to complete everyday tasks? REHACARE.com asked Nico Riedl, Product Manager and Physiotherapist at Pro Walk GmbH.
PantherMedia/mavoimages
REHADAT Gute Praxis: "Labor force participation requires targeted and personalized measures"
31.08.2020
What are strategies for successful inclusion in the primary labor market? Many employers only have a vague idea of what this entails, revealing the importance of comprehensive and practical information. The new REHADAT Gute Praxis (English: Best Practice) portal aims to be their go-to resource – and includes 900 practical examples. Why are they especially useful? We asked...
Jakob Gsöllpointner/MOB Industries
Fashion by MOB Industries: "Inclusion means to truly embrace all body types"
16.07.2020
Fashion without barriers – that’s the mission of Viennese-based startup MOB Industries (German: Mode Ohne Barrieren, hence the abbreviation MOB). How has the coronavirus outbreak affected the company’s latest collection and how do functionality and aesthetics go hand in hand? REHACARE.com asked MOB founder and CEO Josefine Thom.
Andi Weiland | Gesellschaftsbilder.de
Why inclusion is more important than ever amid the coronavirus crisis
25.06.2020
How are families of children with disabilities coping during the coronavirus crisis? A recent online survey asked this question, prompting over 1,600 participants to respond in just two weeks. What do the survey results reveal about the current state of society in terms of social participation and inclusion? We asked Dorothea Kugelmeier and Dr. Raimund Schmolze-Krahn, who launched the study.
ReWalk Robotics
ReWalk Robotics: Optimal supply thanks to the latest robotic technology
10.06.2020
Rehabilitation and robotics increasingly go hand in hand. That’s why it is crucial to ensure the quality of robotic rehabilitation at any level. How important is it for companies like ReWalk Robotics to have the support of health insurance companies? REHACARE.com asked and also learned about the company’s future hopes for the industry.
Die Neue Norm
Diversity and inclusion: Podcast breaks with the definition of "normal"
26.03.2020
Diversity makes our society richer and stronger. That is why the podcast "Die Neue Norm" (English: The New Norm) does not center on people with disabilities but society as a whole – which includes people with disabilities. Once a month, the podcast features journalists Jonas Karpa, Judyta Smykowski and activist Raul Krauthausen as they discuss topics that move them, their listeners or society.
meinHOLTZ
Transfer boards by meinHOLTZ: "Assistive devices can be practical, modern and stylish at the same time"
28.02.2020
Is it a skateboard with no wheels? No, it’s a transfer board made by meinHOLTZ! These modern boards help people who use wheelchairs to easily move from one surface to another on their own. Not only does this make transfers easy, but the assistive devices also look stylish and sophisticated.
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.
Pro Walk GmbH
Adaptive eating utensils with a Twist: How Bravo Twist by ProWalk outsmarts Parkinson’s tremors
17.10.2019
We all know that food intake is essential for the survival of every living organism. Yet for humans, food can also be a great source of pleasure or even love. At any rate, it is an important part of our social life. But what happens if our own body throws a monkey wrench into our food intake by having a stroke or neurological disorder?
Stefanie Freudenreich
Career launch made easy: customized support services for people with disabilities
12.09.2019
Problems transitioning into the workforce? Adolescents with disabilities can get support from the North Rhine-Westphalian KAoA-STAR program. REHACARE.com sat down with the program coordinators of LVR (regional authority Rheinland) and LWL (regional authority Westfalen-Lippe), Eileen Witte and Johanna Korte, and asked about the program and the types of services it provides.
Assistive Innovations bv
"Assistive devices help to actively join the meal"
22.08.2019
There are various different kinds of auxiliary means at REHACARE. And the drinking and eating aids are definitely among the popular ones. With its assistive devices the company Assistive Innovations bv from the Netherlands wants to help people with different disabilities to become more independent with eating. CEO Arthur Blom tells REHACARE.com more about classic and new products.
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.
fuelService
fuelService app helps drivers with disabilities to refuel their car
18.04.2019
Your car ran out of petrol and you need support refuelling it? The new app fuelService is about to help you find a petrol station where you get the help you need. The app is for free and globally available. App founder Niall El-Assaad told REHACARE.com how it works.
M. Bothor
Inclusive education: "Children of Utopia" creates new perspectives
21.03.2019
The debate about inclusive education is stalling and generally doesn’t even let those who are most affected have their say: students both with and without disabilities. The German movie "Children of Utopia" ("Die Kinder der Utopie") wants to change all that. That's why it will be screened in several movie theaters on May 15 as part of a nationwide campaign event – followed by panel discussions.
myAbility/Stefan Ebersberger
"The DisAbility Talent Program connects employers and prospective employees with disabilities"
07.02.2019
Professional success with a disability or chronic illness – the DisAbility Talent Program aims to also support respective German students and new graduates in the near future. How is it planning to do that? REHACARE.com asked Daniel Schörghofer, who has been in charge of the program in Austria for several years as a DisAbility talent manager at myAbility Social Enterprise GmbH.
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.
Lothar Jack
"The OpenEarConcept© adapts acoustic signals to the unique features of hearing aid technology"
20.09.2018
Whether we listen to the radio or a concert – for most of us, it’s hard to imagine life without music. Meanwhile, people who wear digital hearing aids often don’t get to fully enjoy the rich landscapes of sound because they depend on the accessibility and quality of audio induction loops. The OpenEarConcept© research project is committed to supporting greater musical enjoyment.
Munevo GmbH
"Smart technology opportunities can make it easier to live a self-determined life"
23.08.2018
Controlling an electric wheelchair by using smart glasses? Smart glasses like munevo Drive make this a reality. Visitors have a chance to check them out in person at this year’s REHACARE trade fair. Konstantin Madaus from the startup company Munevo looks back on the previous trade show presence and invites everyone to join him at his company’s booth again this year.
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.
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.
ichó systems - icho-systems.de
"ichó brings people with and without dementia together and provides a way to share stories, experiences, and impressions."
22.04.2018
Like the golden sphere in the fairy tale of the Frog King, ichó (Greek for echo) is meant to bring back lost motor skills and cognitive functions to people with dementia. The project of four former graduates of the Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences aims to offer individual support through a person’s favorite music or fairy tale.
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.
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.
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.
BIU
"Computer and video games are a social and inclusive medium"
14.12.2017
Countless Let’s Play videos on YouTube show that gaming has become an integral part of society. Whether people use consoles, PCs, laptops, smartphones or tablets, you can play on almost any platform. But what about accessibility in the age of better and better graphics and increasingly interactive game design?
HelpCamps
HelpCamps: "Making assistive technology faster, more affordable and personalized"
23.11.2017
In accordance with the slogan "Nothing about us without us", the HelpCamps project aims at developing and implementing concepts and ideas together. To make this a reality, people with disabilities, companies from the assistive technology, care and assistance sectors, as well as stakeholders in the so-called maker movement and researchers, are brought together to network during various events.
Die Hoffotografen GmbH
"The BGG Arbitration Body is a solid tool to file for rights violation complaint at no charge"
19.10.2017
The Federal Act on the Equalization of Disabled Persons (Behindertengleichstellungsgesetz), BGG, intends to ensure that people with disabilities don’t face discrimination. In December 2016, the BGG arbitration body was created. REHACARE.com checked with Anne Katrin Lutz and Dr. Rica Werner who can contact the staff in Berlin given applicable circumstances.
Anderes Sehen e.V., www.anderes-sehen.de
"Long cane for children is a 'facilitator'– the chance to independently accomplish something"
17.08.2017
The long cane offers the possibility to be independent and effectively mobile as a person with visual impairment. Children in particular could get used to him in a playful way. The association "Anderes sehen e.V." has co-developed the children's long cane. REHACARE.com spoke to Ellen Schweizer, the founder of the association, about the fact that inclusion is not a burden, but can bring joy.
panthermedia.net/mikdam
Blind soccer fans are on the ball for 90 minutes thanks to match reporting
17.08.2017
For nearly 20 years, the "Fanclub Sehhunde; Fußball-Fanclub für Blinde und Sehbehinderte e.V." promotes match reporting for the blind to ensure that its members fully experience a stadium visit. REHACARE.com spoke with deputy chairperson Nina Schweppe about the match reporting for the blind and the obstacles that still need to be overcome before full inclusion in stadiums becomes a reality.
Felix Huening/Capjob
Capjob: "People with severe disabilities assist job seekers with severe disabilities"
13.07.2017
Modern and user-friendly: job seekers are able to indicate their type of disability on the Capjob.de employment portal and search for jobs that are right for them. REHACARE.com spoke with founder Felix Hüning about the unique features of Capjob and why virtually all parties could benefit from an inclusive employment landscape.
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.
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.
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.
Stephan Olbrich
Music and hearing impairment: "Music is an universal language that doesn’t need words"
23.03.2017
Music breaks down boundaries – that’s something the Association "Grenzen sind relativ e.V. - Kultur, Gesellschaft und Inklusion" clearly shows. Initiator and project manager Mischa Gohlke is a professional musician, who has been hearing impaired and nearly deaf since birth. He wants our society to get excited about a holistic approach to inclusion with the help of music.
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.
Valerie Diedenhoff
Fashion: At eye level with little people
19.01.2017
Every little person should be able to buy beautiful clothes yet there are still no fashionable items available in standard sizes. That’s something Sema Gedik wants to change – with her project titled "Auf Augenhöhe" (English: At Eye Level). REHACARE.com talked with the designer about her inspiration, her goals and the obstacles she had to overcome.
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.
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.
Fünf Seen Film Festival/Pavel Broz
Listening and understanding: Documentary filmmaker portrays seven people with MS
20.10.2016
It is called the disease with a thousand faces: multiple sclerosis (MS) manifests itself very differently in different people. Many don’t like to talk about their illness and the subsequent restrictions it entails. REHACARE.com spoke with Jann Kessler, the director of the documentary film "Multiple Fates - About the Struggle with One’s Own Body" about his personal connection to MS.
panthermedia.net/michaeljung
Concept for caregiver workload relief: "Empathy is a fundamental part of being human"
15.09.2016
Caregivers encounter many different emotions in their jobs. Patients are in pain, have questions about their own mortality or they pass away. The empathy-based relief concept empCARE was founded to better handle these emotional experiences. With the help of training courses, caregivers are taught to learn how to prevent an empathic emotional overreaction.
Daniela Buchholz
Looking for and finding inclusive shared housing options at WOHN:SINN
16.08.2016
A look at the living situation of many people with learning disabilities reveals they often only get to choose between living in care homes or their families’ homes. Many of them are not aware of the numerous inclusive shared housing options that gradually emerge in Germany and where people with or without disabilities live together.
MPI-INF/MMeyer
Will software automatically describe movie plots in the near future?
18.07.2016
In order to understand the plot of a movie an audio version is very helpful for visually impaired people. Authors watch the whole movies and describe what happens in each scene. But wouldn’t it be possible for a computer software to do this kind of work? Researchers work on developing a program which automatically generates movie descriptions and reads them out.
Stephanie Brinkkoetter
Blessing or curse? Using robots in the healthcare sector
21.06.2016
In the distant future? – But today already a reality: robot caregivers are designed to make the daily tasks of healthcare workers easier. Today these types of helpers are already being used in Japan. They lift people in need of care out of their beds, play cards with them or cuddle with dementia patients.
ISL
"Ability4Refugees platform wants to provide auxiliary means for refugees with disabilities"
24.05.2016
Many people who had to leave their home country traveled in a wheelchair or used crutches. The stress of this escape was at times even more exhausting and taxing for some than for others. REHACARE.com spoke with Sigrid Arnade (ISL e.V.) and Eva-Maria and Andreas Mohn (Andreas Mohn Foundation) about the Ability4Refugees platform that aims to improve the availability of auxiliary means for refugees.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"The robot facilitates and promotes the connection between children"
15.12.2015
A robot that provides a link between hospital and classroom? The project Avatar Kids makes this possible: acutely ill children are able to actively participate in school activities with the help of a tablet computer. The teacher facilitates the communication. REHACARE.com spoke with Philipp Mahler of Avatar Kids about the opportunities this project provides.
private
"Judo is ideal for persons with or without disabilities"
26.11.2015
A change of gait pattern and paralysis on the right side of the body and particularly of the arm – at first glance, these consequences of a stroke don’t appear to be the best prerequisites to partake in the sport of Judo. Yet Ludger Steffens likes to prove the opposite is true. REHACARE.com spoke with the 63-year-old about successes and inclusion in martial arts.
Messe Düsseldorf/ctillmann
Kinaesthetics: "People learn to pay attention to their own body motions"
28.09.2015
Caregiving activities are physically exhausting. This is why it is important both for nursing staff and caregiving family members to optimize their physical movements. Sabine Sieben is a kinesthetic trainer and spoke with REHACARE.de about the kinesthetic concept and its advantages for in-home care.
inklusiv-kochen
"Kitchen and cooking are a bridge to inclusion"
27.08.2015
Oftentimes, political questions lack a certain zest, a somewhat different kind of approach. Ever more frequently, this is also rumored to be the case for inclusion. Only a few people can disengage from such stubborn trains of thought. TV chef and host Volker Westermann is one of them. He spoke with REHACARE.com about inclusion found in cooking pots.
Laurence Chaperon
"The reasons that lead to violence in care are complex and complicated"
25.06.2015
Abuse in care has many different forms and is still a taboo subject. The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day wants to shed a bright light on this issue. This year, the Center for Quality in Care, ZQP, introduced its new featured report titled "Preventing Violence in Care". REHACARE.com spoke with ZQP foundation president Dr. Ralf Suhr about seamless transitions and active prevention.
DMSG, Bundesverband e.V.
"World MS Day calls attention to the need for inclusion"
26.05.2015
Since 2009, the World MS Day calls attention to multiple sclerosis and the people who live with this disease of the central nervous system around the world. REHACARE.com spoke with Dorothea Pitschnau-Michel, Secretary of the German Multiple Sclerosis Society (DMSG), about this special day, which always takes place on the last Wednesday of May.
"Speech-to-text interpreters assist in equal access communication"
26.03.2015
There is an alternative for hearing impaired or deaf persons, who are not able to or don’t want to communicate with the help of sign language: so-called speech-to-text interpreters reproduce spoken words into a text format onto paper, computer monitors or screens. REHACARE.de inquired with the German Association of Speech-to-Text Interpreters and gained some insight into this profession.
"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.
"hemdless is not just meant to represent disability fashion, but to also involve our society as a whole"
15.01.2015
Without a shirt. That’s the translation for the project name hemdless. It alludes to the fact that people affected by trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) usually have a hard time finding clothes that fit. Young designers Lisa Polk and Christian Schinnerl didn’t want to leave it at that. REHACARE.com spoke with both of them about the benefit of angled buttonholes and the "6th Shirt".