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Photo: A collage of different pictures of people who are happy; Copyright: Ottobock

Ottobock

Brand evolution in medical technology: Ottobock as a human empowerment brand

21.02.2024

The goal of connecting people with disabilities, boosting their visibility and giving them courage has been an integral part of Ottobock’s DNA for more than 100 years. The brand relaunch for the healthtech company based in Lower Saxony builds on this, to be fit for the future in which digital will be a growth driver.
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Image: Situations that are symbolic for inclusive election campaigns under the caption:

European Disability Forum

Is your election campaign accessible? Assess with our checklists

18.12.2023

Over 100 million people with disabilities in Europe face challenges in accessing election information through digital channels and events. The European Disability Forum has introduced checklists and scoring systems to help political parties and campaigns enhance accessibility, encouraging self-assessment and learning, with the aim of fostering inclusive communication and events.
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Photo: A woman in light blue clothing wears VR goggles and holds her hands in front of her; Copyright: Darlene Alderson / Pexels

Darlene Alderson / Pexels

Digitalization in therapy professions: Progress against the shortage of skilled workers?

26.10.2023

There is a shortage of skilled workers – also in the therapy sector. People who need physiotherapy, ergotherapy or speech therapy due to a disability, illness or injury often have to wait a long time for entry into a program. Progress in digitalization offers new opportunities for those affected and can relieve the burden on therapists.
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Photo: Two women, one of them in a wheelchair, sit at a desk and work together on a computer; Copyright: Andi Weiland, Boehringer Ingelheim / Gesellschaftsbilder.de

Andi Weiland, Boehringer Ingelheim / Gesellschaftsbilder.de

Inclusion in the workplace: how to make real participation in working life a reality

16.10.2023

Workplace inclusion – a topic that has preoccupied many people for decades, but continues to receive little attention in society. Instead of asking what measures can be taken to make a workplace barrier-free, many people with disabilities are still excluded and labelled as "not employable".
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Photo: A man with a hearing aid holds up his hands at an event to signal 'applause' in sign language; Copyright: Andi Weiland / Gesellschaftsbilder.de

Andi Weiland / Gesellschaftsbilder.de

Louder is not always better: assistive devices for people with hearing disabilities

27.09.2023

Participation is not the same as taking part. Many people with a disability are no strangers to this realization. At REHACARE 2023, Susanne Schmidt from the German Association for the Hearing Impaired explained to us where the problems lie in the participation of people with a hearing impairment and what technical, but also very human solutions are possible.
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Photo: A boy and a girl are riding around outside on two recumbent trikes; Copyright: HASE BIKES

HASE BIKES

From hearing technologies to recumbent tricycles: communication and social participation for children and young people

05.09.2023

Everyone wants to communicate, understand and participate in social life. For children and young people with disabilities in particular, it is important to train their communication and social skills at an early stage using suitable assistive devices. Various companies offer solutions that enable support in communication and participation.
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Photo: a young woman sitting in front of a laptop and signing with her hands; Copyright: envato/astakhovyaroslav

envato/astakhovyaroslav

REHACARE 2023: Professional participation is possible for all

31.08.2023

People with disabilities have the guaranteed right to be part of the community in all areas of life. But unfortunately, there are still far too many barriers that exclude individuals from the community.
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Eat, grasp and communicate independently again: assistive device highlights at HIDREX

25.08.2023

Doing vital things that were previously only possible with the help of others independently again – this is made possible by the assisstive devices from HIDREX GmbH. With the Obi robot (an adaptive eating device), for example, people can eat independently. The carbon hand of HIDREX offers reliable and powerful grasping. The company also offers various solutions for aided communication.
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Photo: Woman (left) standing with a bouquet of flowers in her hand next to two men, one of whom is holding the RI Centennial Award; Copyright: Ottobock

Ottobock

RI Centennial Award goes to Ottobock

17.07.2023

The medical technology company Ottobock was honored with the RI Centennial Award for its commitment to people with disabilities. The award ceremony took place as part of the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the Rehabilitation International (RI) organization in Beijing.
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Image: Detail of a hand with a pen in front of a laptop; Copyright: European Disability Forum

European Disability Forum

Companies in the EU will have to report on disability inclusion

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.
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Image: Collage consisting of eight images of eight people engaged in an activity, most of whom have a disability; Copyright: Ottobock

Ottobock

Sam Ryder writes life-celebrating anthem for Ottobock's global brand campaign

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.
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Photo: a young woman sits on a sofa wearing VR glasses, she has both hands raised, the left hand is a prosthetic arm; Copyright: envato/StudioVK

envato/StudioVK

Digitization and robotics in the assistive technology industry

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.
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Image: White logo of REHACARE CHINA and advertising for the international fair on green background; Copyright: REHACARE China

REHACARE China

REHACARE SHANGHAI has been upgraded to REHACARE CHINA

26.06.2023

REHACARE SHANGHAI will be upgraded to REHACARE CHINA and relocated to Suzhou, offering a platform for communication and cooperation among rehabilitation companies, medical institutions, and service organizations.
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Photo: Man with Down syndrome learns on laptop. A woman with short hair stands behind him and helps him; Copyright: gpointstudio

gpointstudio

Learning Disability Week 2023: How you can celebrate and support people with a learning disability

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.
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Image: Blue lettering that says: European Parliament of Persons with Disabilities. Above it Braille and sign language and below it a hashtag; Copyright: European Disability Forum

European Disability Forum

The European Parliament – a forum for all persons with disabilities

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.
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Photo: three men talking in an aisle at REHACARE 2022; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/ctillmann

Messe Düsseldorf/ctillmann

REHACARE: Networking and collaboration with heart and soul

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.
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Image: A man sits in an iBOT electric wheelchair and rides through dunes; Copyright: 2KERR

2KERR

IBOT electric wheelchair: go wherever you want – physically and socially

30.03.2023

The iBOT is a multifunctional personal mobility device that allows users to achieve things that were previously impossible. With twenty years of advanced technology combined into one device with six different modes, users can go wherever they want. And wherever they are, the iBOT electric wheelchair makes participation possible.
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Image: Computer keyboard above which the words Accessibility can be seen; Copyright: European Disability Forum

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.
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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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Photo: Sad looking old man sitting in armchair leaning on his walking stick; Copyright: envato/LightFieldStudios

envato/LightFieldStudios

Living with dementia: practical tools make daily living easier

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.
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Photo: Many visitors sit in the expert forum TREFFPUNKT REHACARE and listen to the speakers; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf / ctillmann

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.
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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: 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 and a young man at an evening event, talking animatedly. He is wearing a hearing aid behind his ear; Copyright: Friedrichstadt-Palast; Andi Weiland | Gesellschaftsbilder.de

Friedrichstadt-Palast; Andi Weiland | Gesellschaftsbilder.de

Small, smart, connected: hearing solutions and smart home applications

28.10.2021

The latest communication technology trends also affect hearing systems: These tiny hearing amplifiers are getting smarter and can sometimes be connected to other systems. REHACARE.com recaps the latest trends in hearing aid technology, explains the present limitations and explores other applications for the deaf and hard of hearing community.
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Photo: Two women wear transparent masks so that all their facial expressions can be seen and communication is made easier for people with a hearing impairment; Copyright: iuvas medical GmbH

iuvas medical GmbH

Better swallowing and understanding: Sophisticated aids from the field of speech therapy

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.
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Photo: young girl with glasses smiling at the camera; beside her is her LIFEpad - a tabletbased speech recognition software; Copyright: LIFEtool

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.
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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 black head support system on a mannequin; Copyright: Sheffield Hallam Universität

Sheffield Hallam Universität

Head support system HeadUp Collar: Communication at eye level

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.
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Photo: a woman is sitting at a table, in front of her a device for voice control is placed on the table; Copyright: Panthermedia/Andreypopov

PantherMedia/AndreyPopov

Smart Living: more independence thanks to voice control

14.01.2021

The way we live is becoming increasingly more modern and connected. And while some people are skeptical about smart technology, other target groups welcome the great new opportunities it affords. Control units allow people with disabilities and older adults to control and monitor their connected home devices, which allows them to continue living a self-determined life at home.
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Photo: a man with white hair and blue shirt smiles to the camera, a white Patronusens-box is installed at the ceiling; Copyright: Inferics GmbH

Inferics GmbH

More self-determination thanks to smart technologies

14.01.2021

Everyone wants to live a self-determined life, but it isn’t always easy to implement – especially if you are an older adult or live with a disability. Fortunately, there are systems that help promote autonomy and independence in your own home. Size doesn’t always matter as even little smart helpers can give users peace of mind and a feeling of security as they navigate everyday life.
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Photo: Young woman in a wheelchair typing on a laptop standing on her lap; Copyright: PantherMedia/ufabizphoto

PantherMedia/ufabizphoto

Coronavirus: How self-help groups and associations keep running in times of pandemic

01.09.2020

Coronavirus-related restrictions, social distancing, and hygiene guidelines have permeated all sections of society for months. These strategies have also affected the work of the Federal Association of Self-Help Organizations for People with Disabilities and Chronic Diseases. We spoke to Dr. Martin Danner about the challenges of the past few months and the future of self-help settings.
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Photo: A stylized human head with the OrCam MyEye on the glasses frame; Copyright: beta-web

beta-web

OrCam MyEye: Promoting independence and participation with artificial intelligence

13.03.2020

Reading texts, identifying products at the supermarket and even recognizing faces – the MyEye tool from OrCam can do just that and helps blind and visually impaired people feel more confident in everyday life. At REHACARE 2019, area sales manager Jennifer Kietzke showed us how the discreet, smart wearable assistive technology works.
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Photo: Ron Hattenhorst demonstrating remote interpreting at REHACARE 2019; Copyright: beta-web

beta-web

Telecommunications services for people with hearing impairments

31.01.2020

Email has revolutionized the way we communicate. But sometimes urgent situations or issues need a one-on-one conversation via phone call. The latter can be a challenge for people who are hearing impaired or deaf. With many years of experience in remote interpreting, two service providers – TeleSign Deutschland and Tess-Sign & Script-Dienste – meet these language support needs.
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Photo: Young woman using her smartphone; Copyright: PantherMedia / Antonio Guillen Fernández

PantherMedia / Antonio Guillen Fernández

How Social Media connects people with invisible disabilities and a chronic illness

03.12.2019

Visibility and sharing – these are just two reasons why people living with chronic illnesses and those with invisible disabilities engage on social networks. Using words, pictures, and hashtags, they talk about their lives, raise awareness and make their illness and symptoms tangible for others.
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Photo: The TiPY keyboard for one hand; Copyright: Drory Handels GmbH

Drory Handels GmbH

"TiPY is designed to accomplish the same things with one hand as you can with a standard two-handed keyboard"

25.10.2018

Microsoft has led the way and launched an adaptive controller to enable people with physical disabilities to have nearly the same complete gaming experience as people without disabilities. Mattheaus Drory achieved a similar result. In this interview with REHACARE.com, he admits that he initially didn’t necessarily have people with disabilities in mind when he developed his one-handed keyboard.
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How can I help you? – An accessible shopping experience please!

01.04.2016

Wide aisles, a lot of room between the shelves, non-slip flooring and easy-to-read price tags – this is especially important for senior citizens and persons with disabilities when they shop. But in the real world, things are often very different: shopping carts that are hard to maneuver, narrow checkout aisles or undersized dressing rooms are all too common.
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