Product Peeks Spring 2012

Carrot 3 car seat

Convaid offers a restraint system made specifically for children with special needs. The Carrot 3, a top-selling car seat from Europe, is designed to promote good positioning and safety. It has built-in growth functions (plus modular extensions and accessories) that accommodate children from ages 3 to 15, between 30 and 108 pounds.

Conforming to the natural contours of the body, the Carrot 3 reclines at any position from 90 to 180 degrees.

Equipped with lower anchors and tethers (extra), it exceeds U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213. $2,143 (base price). Convaid Products, (888) 266-8243.

Capes for wheelchair users

With convenience, warmth and style in mind for men, women and children who use a wheelchair, Capes By Laurel are designed to work with the action of the wheels without interference.

The custom-made capes are made from easy-care fleece in a variety of colors and trims, single- or double-sided (reversible).

Prices range from children’s sizes at $85 to dressy adult sizes at $150. Capes By Laurel, (770) 996-3778.

Friendly Beds

Friendly Beds by Bill-Ray Home Mobility offer a variety of options to help you get in and out of bed more easily.

A freestanding framework fitting over your existing bed, it’s an integrated, heavy-duty system of components (trapeze, assist rails, balance pole, etc.) designed to improve mobility, comfort and safety.

Starting at $1,450. Bill-Ray Home Mobility, (920) 257-4001.

The Chariot

Bruno has introduced the Chariot for transporting wheelchairs and scooters. A lift on wheels, allowing a small or mid-size car to transport mobility devices up to 350 pounds, it has an independent suspension, adding minimal weight on the rear of the car.

The Chariot’s two wheels swivel, enabling it to follow precisely behind the car; the driver needs no experience in handling a trailer.

With the platform folded, a car and Chariot fit into a single parking space. $3,660. Bruno Independent Living Aids, (262) 567-4990.

Wheelchair-accessible motor home

The 2012 Newmar Canyon Star 3911 is a luxury motor coach designed to be wheelchair accessible.

In addition to many luxury features, it has a 48-inch power wheelchair lift; lowered switches and controls; a 30-inch path through the coach; a lowered cooktop with the convection/microwave oven below; a roll-in shower with seat; an accessible sink with lowered mirror and cabinet; commode grab bars; and a combo dinette with table that accommodates wheelchairs.

$166,505 (less 15 percent discount for MDA members). Dick Gore’s RV World, (800) 635-7008.

Communication solution

PredictAble is an app for the iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch that allows people to compose a message and speak it. An alternative to traditional communication aids, this application is switch-accessible and can be used to send an email.

With customizable voices and the ability to add quick phrases to a phrase bank, this app is designed for people with speech impairments that benefit from augmenting their communication. It has intelligent word prediction and the option for handwriting input.

(PredictAble’s user interface is shown here on an iPad with a Therapy Box switch interface.) $160 (app), $135 (switch interface).