Vehicle Production Group – MV-1

Headquartered in South Florida, The Vehicle Production Group LLC (VPG) is proud to introduce the new 2011 MV-1. The MV-1 is the first mobility vehicle that was designed from the ground up for wheelchair accessibility and will be proudly built in America. The MV-1 comes equipped with a deployable integrated ramp for quick and easy passenger access and has a spacious interior that can accommodate up to six occupants. In fact, the MV-1 is the only factory-built vehicle that meets or exceeds the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) vehicle guidelines. The extremely versatile MV-1 will be built at the high quality assembly facility at AM General LLC in Mishawaka, Indiana. Vehicle production begins Q4 of 2010. Continue Reading »

Nosing Your Way Around

Reasearchers in Israel have developed an electronic controller that allows severely disabled people to control their wheelchairs or computers with a simple sniff of the nose.

Injury or disease can leave people paralyzed virtually from the neck down, often without any impairment of their mental capabilities. This new technology uses a hypersensitive device that allows severely disabled people to communicate and move about, using their nose. Continue Reading »

Robotic legs get wheelchair users walking

A new pair of robotic legs out of New Zealand lets wheelchair users do the improbable–stand, walk, and even go up and down stairs.

Users transfer themselves from their chair into the Robotic Exoskeleton (Rex) by holding on to Rex’s legs. They then strap themselves in and use a hand-controlled joystick and control pad to maneuver the battery-powered mobility-assist device on solid, stable surfaces such as those inside the home or workplace. (Rex is not designed for use on slippery or soft surfaces, or in areas containing debris or small objects such as ice, snow, sand, grass, mud, or gravel.) Continue Reading »

Rex, the Robotic Exoskeleton

See Hayden Allen using Rex, the Robotic Exoskeleton, a world first product developed by Rex Bionics. Continue Reading »

Paraplegic hits road on customized motorcycle

Paul Bliss’ motto is “life after legs.” For Bliss, it’s a way of life.

A 2003 motorcycle wreck damaged Bliss’ spinal cord, robbing him of control over his legs. Now a paraplegic, the motorcycle enthusiast hit a dead-end until learning of Mobility Conquest, a dealership that has developed a motorcycle usable by wheelchair drivers.

“I didn’t let my accident stop me,” said Bliss, 52, who has been riding motorcycles for the last 37 years. Continue Reading »

Parking Mobility

Parking Mobility was born from the need to ensure accessible parking for people with disabilities. While there are many disabled parking spots assigned close to shopping locations they are not always available or easy to find in other areas. These parking spots are also often used by people who do not have a disability placard. It seemed to us that there were some technology tools that we could use to engage with the community to help address these issues. Continue Reading »

Former NFL Player Matt Stevens, Who Became Paraplegic, Walks Again in Groundbreaking ReWalk Device

PHILADELPHIA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Matt Stevens, a 36-year-old former professional football player paralyzed from a spinal cord injury, is one of only 12 patients selected to participate in the clinical trials of ReWalk™, a wearable device that enables wheelchair users to stand, walk, and climb stairs.

A resident of Philadelphia, Stevens attends ReWalk therapy three times a week at MossRehab, which is located in Elkins Park, Penna., and is part of Albert Einstein Healthcare Network. MossRehab is the exclusive site in the United States for the clinical trials of ReWalk. Continue Reading »

Discovery could help treat spinal injuries

U of A researchers uncover trigger that causes muscles to move without signal from brain

EDMONTON – Research led by a pair of University of Alberta scientists has uncovered a surprising phenomenon that offers hope of new treatments for people with spinal-cord injuries.

The team has pinpointed a unique ability of neurochemical receptors in the spinal cord as the reason why patients with partially and even fully severed cords often have some muscle activity. Continue Reading »

Paralyzed Reno boy looks forward to new home

Jesse Eligio likes Bobby Flay and Rachael Ray. He likes spaghetti, hot dogs, pepperoni pizza and his older brother’s Xbox.

He likes his mom, Alicia, standing curbside in the morning and sending him off to school. He likes meeting her and the family’s “Chiuauapoo,” named Mili, in the same spot in the afternoon. He likes the hugs and kisses his mom gives him. Continue Reading »

Local ‘celebrities’ to learn trials of spinal cord injuries

Winnipeg’s police chief is one of five notable Winnipeggers participating in an event to give them an idea of what it’s like to live with a spinal cord injury.

The Canadian Paraplegic Association’s second annual Chair-leader program, which is being held this week, matches a local “celebrity” with a person who suffered a spinal cord injury. Continue Reading »