The WHILL - A New Mobility Device

Have you seen this new wheelchair design yet?

 

WHILL, Inc.

The AT Network recently had WHILL, Inc. come give a demo and presentation about the development of this new wheelchair design – actually not even called a wheelchair, but rather, a mobility device.  Everyone at the meeting agreed that the WHILL was very cool!

The WHILL was developed by engineers in Japan on a personal mission to not only improve the functionality of the wheelchair, but to improve the style as well. 

Wheelchairs have been around for centuries, yet look at these pictures comparing the advancements in phone technology versus the advancements in wheelchairs during the last century.

Shocking, no?

The main features distinguishing the WHILL from other mobility devices - other than the unique and modern design - are its unique wheel structure (the front wheels are actually made up of many smaller wheels), side arm rests that lower to allow for easier transfers and for sitting at a desk/table, its “mouse-like” steering system, its smaller and narrower size, and a smaller, sharper turning radius for users. 

The WHILL only weighs about 200 lbs, while typical power wheelchairs designed for the same sized person are closer to 400 lbs. Its unique wheels allow the WHILL to traverse easily through rough terrains such as snow, gravel, dirt, and woodchips. It can even go over curbs that are up to three inches tall! Furthermore, it is rain-proof and, with a full battery, it can travel up to 15 miles depending on the terrain.  

Shannon, who is a power and manual wheelchair user, had a chance to test drive the WHILL.   

Shannon talking to CEO of WHILL Satoshi Sugie

 "First of all," she said, "I like it because it is very stylish. It feels different that driving my own power wheelchair. It doesn't feel quite as stable as the one I currently use, but I like that it drove very well over rough terrains. I also like that it is very simple and sleek in its design.  It is not bulky and you actually don’t even feel like you are riding in a wheelchair. It made me feel like I was riding on some sort of a futuristic Segway and it reminded me of the movie, WALL - E.” 

The WHILL Type A is the third prototype design by the company. For the first two designs they recruited many wheelchair users to test their design out and explain what worked and what didn’t work for them.  Currently, they are taking their first limited orders. The current cost is around $9,500 - depending on the features you order for it- but they plan on the cost lowering once the WHILL is mass-manufactured to make it more affordable to all. I hope Medicare/Medical will cover it!

What do you think of the WHILL?  What do you think of using the term "mobility device" instead of wheelchair?  Write your answers in the comment box below!

Keep the Wheels Rolling Repair Fund

We are excited to announce that our project, Keep the Wheels Rolling Wheelchair and Scooter Repair Fund, was chosen as one of the top ten finalists in the CDFI Challenge to receive a $10,000 donation!

Our Repair Fund is an extremely important and unique program benefiting low-income Californians with disabilities that reduces unnecessary waste by repairing and reusing valuable equipment. Most importantly, it gives individuals a chance to be independent, to live, learn, earn and remain active in their community. The Repair Fund was able to assist centers throughout California repair over 55 wheelchairs and scooters to get them into the hands of people that desperately needed them. People like Faustino and Maria.

Maria is a mother and co-founder of a Low-Income Self-Help Center and Community for Change in the Bay Area. She is described by her colleagues as having an indomitable spirit and truly epitomizing the heart and soul of their group. Many community members depend on her in many ways—she is the building maven, she shops and cooks for all of the Center’s events and does outreach, organizing and fundraising. She did all of this while living with terrible leg pain and she eventually used a scooter to help her get around the city. One day Maria was hit in a crosswalk and her scooter was completely demolished. Luckily, the Center for Independent Living (CIL) took advantage of our Repair Fund and was able to give Maria another scooter for free. Maria’s group wrote a note of thanks to the Repair Fund and CIL, stating: “We are all thankful for this gift of a scooter for Maria because it allows her to still get around. You have given her back her legs. It is so important that we all care for one another in this world. The work you do is very important.”

Faustino from Riverside County with his power wheelchair

Faustino has Multiple Sclerosis and was losing his ability to walk on his own or to stay steady on two feet. He was trying to find a power wheelchair to assist him in completing numerous daily tasks that were increasingly becoming more difficult for him. Luckily, the Community Access Center (CAC) in Riverside County had just recently refurbished a power wheelchair using the Repair Fund grant that they were able to give to Faustino. He was grateful for the Repair Fund and CAC. With his disability, even walking a short distance made him feel tired. Now, with his reused wheelchair, he is not dependent on others to get out and be active in his community.

The need for the Repair Fund is acute. Every month the AT Network receives between 80-100 inquiries from Californians with disabilities searching for AT funding assistance. Without the Repair Fund, our partner organizations have no money to purchase parts needed to repair items that have been donated for reuse. California has an enormous unmet need for AT repair and reuse, particularly for durable medical equipment like wheelchairs and scooters that can cost $20,000 or more. Help us win $10,000 by voting for our project today and every day until August 11, 2013!

Free Phones, Free Hearing Screenings and More for Californians with Disabilities

If you are in California and haven't heard of the California Telephone Access Program, you could be missing out on a free and specialized landline phone.

Funded by the small surcharge on every phone bill in CA, CTAP provides free phones for people who live in California, have telephone service, and are deaf or hard of hearing, low vision or blind, or have a mobility, speech or cognitive disability. There is no income or age requirement and the specialized equipment they provide includes:

• Amplifiers

  

  Sample Accessible CTAP Phone

• Ring Signal Devices
• Speech Devices
• Switches
• Specialized Telephones
• Mobile Telephones
• Braille TTYs
• Headsets
• TTYs
• Fax Machines
• Accessories 

To apply, all you need is a professional certifying agent to sign your application form. 

Furthermore, CTAP Centers are now also offering free hearing screenings to the public on the third Wednesday of each month, as well as hosting Community Resource Fairs at all CTAP Locations. Find your local service center or call CTAP for more information at 1-800-806-1191.

Free Basic Cell Phone for Qualified Individuals

 Another exciting and new program that the AT Network recently learned about is a free cell phone program for qualified individuals in CA. Assurance Wireless is a federal Lifeline Assistance program that is run through the company Virgin Mobile. California residents who receive Supplemental Security Income, food stamps, Medicaid/Medi-Cal or other public assistance (see complete list here)  or who earn less than $15,000 per year can get a basic cell phone with 250 minutes and 250 text messages per month.  You must provide proof of program participation or proof of income to qualify. Each household qualifies for one line, but separate households that live at the same address are eligible, including residents of shelters or nursing homes. To apply for this program, please visit assurancewireless.com or call Assurance Wireless at 1-800-395-2171.

Hearing Loss in America

by Samantha Garcia

Diagram of the Ear

 If you have hearing loss, you are not alone – not by a long shot. As you might expect, some populations experience hearing loss in higher numbers. For instance, 1 in 3 people over the age of 60 and half of people over 85 experience some hearing loss. Additionally, hearing loss is the most common injury for veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. In fact, Hearing Health Foundation states that 60% of returning veterans have hearing injuries.  However, hearing loss impacts more Americans of all classifications than you might expect; it is estimated that 1 in 5 Americans aged 12 and over, approximately 48 million Americans, have hearing loss in at least one ear.

 

With so many Americans experiencing hearing loss, it becomes profoundly important that those who do retain communication with others and stay connected. In fact, a 2011 study by Dr. Frank Lin of Johns Hopkins University has recently become a hot topic, as it found a strong connection between hearing loss and the risk of dementia, partially due to perceived isolation. His next study will focus on how hearing aids are used and if they can play any part in reducing the risk. 

One of Dr. Lin's findings shows that only 1 in 7 adults who could benefit from using a hearing aid actually does. The misuse or underuse of hearing aids is possibly due to the high cost of hearing aids, the increase of devices purchased online (without a fitting by an audiologist) and the stigma of using hearing aids. These may be critical factors in how hearing aids are used (or if they are used at all) and whether they can have any impact on this issue. If it turned out hearing aids could help delay the onset of dementia, imagine the possibilities – not least of all that insurance companies would perhaps be more likely to fully cover them. Some people have found pocket talkers to work well for them. A pocket talker is a portable amplifier that includes a microphone and headset and can be used for one-on-one or small group conversations or for radio/TV listening. Pocket talkers are much less expensive than hearing aids and cost around $120.

In the meantime, we know that hearing aids continue to be invaluable to individuals who are hard of hearing and those around them. According to hearingreview.com, hearing aid sales are up 2.9% from 2011 to 2012. Historically, the industry has seen a 3-4% increase, but in this economic climate, this is still seen as adequate growth. Additionally, veterans now account for 20% of the hearing aid market. Another interesting area of growth is that of Behind The Ear (BTE) hearing aids with external receivers, which now account for about half of all hearing aids sold in the U.S. – this is big leap, up from about 40% in 2011.

As devices change or you experiment with what type works best for you, you may find yourself wondering how to dispose of or find used hearing aids. If you use or need a hearing aid or know someone who does, there are multiple ways to donate and/or receive used devices. Hear Now, part of theStarkey Hearing Foundation, repairs and resells devices in the U.S. and uses that revenue to buy new hearing aids for those who can't afford them. You can also send devices to sertoma.org, which is working to make public facilities accessible for all. In California, you can donate to the John Tracy Clinic, which provides hearing device loaners to children. Moreover, Rotary Clubs often collect used hearing aids for repair and donation, as do service clubs like Lions Clubs, among others. Don't forget - donations are usually tax-deductible, too!

   

Have you had any experience donating or receiving a hearing aid from one of these or any other organizations? Have we missed a good resource? Let us know! Also, if you are in California and need an assistive hearing device, contact your AT Advocate by clicking here.

Donate, Borrow, and Reuse AT in California

Assistive technology (AT) can be costly and, as most of you know, is not often covered in full or even partially by insurances.  Furthermore, it can be frustrating to spend a lot of money on a device that one believes will work for them or a loved one, only to find out that it is not the right fit. That is why the AT Network is dedicated to connecting consumers to our AT Reuse Programs, Device Lending Libraries, and our AT Advocates and other services throughout the state.

California Assistive Technology Reuse Coalition

Do you have any AT (assistive technology) devices that you no longer need? Examples of AT include communication devices, reachers, talking alarm clocks, dressing aids, scooters, screen magnification software and digital organizers. Also included at many sites are durable medical equipment donations (DME). DME encompasses a wide range of items and includes wheelchairs, shower chairs, walkers, hospital beds, nebulizers and portable ramps.

Did you know that there are dozens of places in California that accept gently used AT items to redistribute to those in need?  

Click here to see the list of our Reuse Programs in California.

To learn more about the California Assistive Technology Reuse Coalition (CATRC) or to get involved in your local center, visit:  http://californiareuse.org/

Device Lending Libraries

The AT Network also operates a Device Lending Library program throughout California. The following agencies contract with the AT Network to provide short term loans of assistive devices and gadgets that can help you live independently. Whether your need is temporary or you would just like to try out some devices before you buy them, the AT Network’s Device Lending Libraries can help by providing free short-term loans for up to 30 days.  Devices that are available for loan include computers and software, ACC devices, magnifiers, walkers, ramps and much more. 

Click here to see the complete list of Device Lending Libraries in California.

 

AT Advocates and AT Services Directory

Do you have questions about an AT device or need some further guidance before making decisions about AT?  Our AT advocates can help show you what different types of AT and/or funding for AT that is available, or refer you to other agencies that assist with AT assessments and advice.

Click here for a list of AT advocates throughout the state of California. 

Do you want to check out service providers and vendors that are available in your area?  Visit our AT Services Directory by clicking here.  All you have to do is type in your zip code and select an AT category (examples include home modification, vehicle modification, blind and low vision, mobility aids) to see what organizations are available in your area.

Check out our upcoming (and our self-paced and archived) FREE AT trainings available to anyone interested by clicking here.

To see a complete list of items available from the AT Network throughout California, visit the AT Exchange. 

Also, if you have any AT questions or AT resources to share, please contact us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Zebreda Makes It Work!

by Rosemarie Punzalan, AT Network Training Specialist

Zebreda Dunham and Martin Sweeney recently presented at the AT Network's Southern California Quarterly Regional Meeting on November 20, 2012 at the California Endowment  in Los Angeles, CA.  To the delight of all of the individuals interested in AT at this meeting, they explored the low-tech, low-cost, down-and-dirty DIY world of assistive technology.   

Born in Maryland and now a resident of Pasadena, Dunham is a young woman constantly adapting and modifying the world around her. From a gate opener to smartphone remote, from an umbrella holder to a power soccer guard, from adapted scissors to a joystick helper, Zebreda shared her philosophy about accessibility as well as demonstrated some of the products she has created, adapted and/or modified.

Zebreda Makes It Work! is a series of videos and experiences that highlights a frame of mind about assistive technology and how to imagine, create, adapt and troubleshoot your world and overcome whatever obstacles you might encounter.  Below are some of the innovative videos Zebreda shared:

Door Stopper

Door Alarm

Key Turner

Gate Opener

As Dunham notes, “We need each other to survive in this world. I feel that just because you might be labeled as having a disability, you don’t have to disable yourself. Many times those doing the labeling are unaware of the true intelligence and abilities of the individual and more than likely they are the ignorant ones. You are as disabled as you make yourself. I don’t consider myself as being disabled—I consider myself as differently-abled.”

Sweeney was director of the AT Network (2006-09), founding director of the Assistive Technology Project at the Lanterman Regional Center (1998-2006), training consultant for the Center for Accessible Technology (2010-11) and is now a development adviser for the India America Assistive Technology Exchange in Mumbai and Bangalore.

Does Assistive Technology (AT) play a role in your life?

Have you created, adapted, and modified a product to make your life easier?

Want to show off the AT you use or the AT you have created?  Check out the AT Network's video contest on how to enter and you could win $400!