The Market Place is Coming!

02/06/2017

By David Ashton-Jones

We have been really busy over the past couple of moths putting things together in preparation for our Market Place Event on 7 June. My previous posts have attempted to draw your attention to assistive technology and how it can contribute to independence for disabled people. From my research, I can safely say that the market for assistive technology appears buoyant, with cutting-edge innovations appearing all the time!
Our event is intended to showcase the products and services available to disabled people, with a particular focus on technology, and I think that, as a charity, we have attracted a good number of exhibitors who will open your eyes to some new possibilities.

I recently met with Dane McGee from Mobility with Dignity. He has been associated with Disability Action Yorkshire for some time now, and I could tell from his enthusiasm and passion for his product that he has a genuine interest in the long-term health conditions and physical disabilities.

Dane has invented a device called the Comfier: a sleep system that assists people with limited mobility or complex needs that can’t get comfortable in bed. It consists of a set of inflatable tubes that you can inflate individually until you are in a comfortable position.
Although this device comes with a remote control to inflate each tube independently, what grasps me about this device is its functionality to change control type. For example, someone with significantly limited mobility can hook the device up to an Eyegaze system so as to control the inflation and deflation. However, it was also suggested that some other controls could be used depending on individual need. I had a gentleman enquire about his young daughter, who has tetraplegia, and instantly felt how beneficial this system could be.

While Dane might not be able to showcase his device at the event, he can work with individuals to see how the system may benefit them. You can see more about the Comfier system here, and we will have a number of brochures available at the event.
My conversations with Dane led me to another organisation, namely DH2, which makes a number of environmental controls. This organisation has specifically worked with Dane in utilising the Eyegaze system with his invention. Another point is that they also develop controls that can operate blinds and windows. I have seen a number of devices with the ability to control blinds but not windows. Opening a window in this manner may not seem like a major thing, but it is for someone with limited mobility, particularly with the hot weather we have recently experienced! Just having the ability to let a bit of air circulate in the room, to me, seems like a fantastic contributor to independent living.
DH2 will be showcasing their technology on 7th June, and we are looking forward to seeing them there. In the meantime, you can read more about DH2 here.

In addition, we are excited about welcoming the Barnsley Assistive Technology Team, which is a nationally recognised specialised service that works with other professionals in local teams to provide assistive technology. They have the aim of improving the independence of people with disabilities with technology and have worked in collaboration with organisations such as GSPK Design and CATCH at the University of Sheffield. Unfortunately, we could not get CATCH to this one, but GSPK will be showcasing the EMEGO device.

The interest we have had from the public about the event has been extremely positive, and we hope to be able to show you some of the possibilities for disabled people with the use of assistive technology.

If you have any questions about the event, please get in touch with me, david.ashton-jones@da-y.org.uk. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you there.

The event is at:
Cedar Court Hotel
Rowan Suite
Park Parade
Harrogate
HG1 5AH