Naidex is the UK’s most prestigious event showcasing the innovations redefining the future of the disability sector. The Naidex team wanted to ensure the 44th edition was their most progressive show to date! With over 12,000 forward-thinking visitors, 300 cutting-edge suppliers, 200 inspiring speakers, panel sessions and brand new interactive features, the Able Team were blown away by the products and services from across the globe that are transforming the lives of those living with a disability or impairment.
Over the 25th and 26th April, Birmingham’s NEC housed the most refined and highly focused content, reaffirming Naidex’s reputation as the axis of the healthcare, rehabilitation and independent living sectors.
We’ve put together some of the top highlights from this year’s show and why our readers love Naidex!
wheelAIR is the first product of Scottish company, Staels Design LTD, developed in 2016. Continuing product development, they signed their first brand ambassador Double Paralympian and World Champion Michael Kerr. wheelAIR’s mission is to help improve wheelchair user’s lives by designing stylish products of the highest quality. The wheelAIR backrest cushion cools you down in your wheelchair with unique fan technology, whilst keeping you comfortable. Designed to fit all manual wheelchairs. As seen on BBC’s Dragons’ Den!
2. Re-Walk
ReWalk is a wearable robotic exoskeleton that provides powered hip and knee motion to enable individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) to stand upright, walk, turn, and climb and descend stairs*. ReWalk is the first exoskeleton to receive FDA clearance for personal and rehabilitation use in the United States. The ReWalk Personal System 6.0 is designed for all day walking, available for use at home and in the community. It provides the most precise fit, highest walking speed and most natural gait of any powered exoskeleton.
The Mountain Trike range have been designed as all-terrain outdoor wheelchairs with rugged good looks, lightweight aluminum frames, high-end Mountain Bike technology and all fully tested for your ultimate comfort and safety. The Mountain Trikes are perfect for visiting parks with friends or family. With the lever drive and all-terrain tyres you can manoeuvre over grass, astroturf and even wood chippings so perfect for keeping up with little ones or even four-legged ones in your life! The Trike feels really at home – through woodland trails, muddy puddles and even over the odd tree root or two – experience the joy of the outdoors and nature with the Trike and all with clean hands! The Trike is great to use for that all important last minute shop or a weekend away on a city break – it has the ability to go over cobbles and curbs in great comfort and is guaranteed to turn a few heads!
4. Sensory Guru
Magic Mirror works seamlessly with the movements of the users. On-screen content works in real-time meaning the activity can be entirely user-led. Watch as your learners are able to play in a band together, or take part in interactive games from afar using some of the many pre-configured settings. Mirror is also an advanced gesture-controlled musical Instrument that offers full MIDI control. The scope of control offered by Magic Mirrors is vast– it is even possible to send network messages, control lighting and activate videos and images just by moving.
5. RDA National Training Centre
At RDA, their horses and ponies provide therapy, achievement and enjoyment to people with disabilities all over the UK. Their network of 500 volunteer groups organise activities such as riding, carriage driving, vaulting, showjumping and Hippotherapy to over 25,000 people each year. They have been carrying out life-changing activities for over 40 years, and take great pride in the exceptional standard of our instructors and volunteers (18,000 in all).
6. Sensara
Sensara HomeCare helps you as a senior citizen stay independent. With the help of your family and friends, Sensara makes sure you can live safely in your own home for as long as possible. Sensara is a simple online lifestyle monitor that warns family, friends or neighbors on the occassion that you need assistance in your home. Enjoy your independence with the help of Sensara. It gives your family peace of mind regarding your health and safety, when they are not able to be physically present. Sensara HomeCare also alerts you of potential health risks, such as increased risk of falling or the possibility of dehydration. Early detection of such risks is a proactive way to prevent more serious complications.
7. TGA Mobility
Established for over 30 years, TGA is a family business proud of its quality mobility products and high standards of customer service. TGA Mobility is a family business at the top of the market for mobility scooters and products. They have a 30 year history of providing mobility scooters of the highest quality for individuals with impaired mobility, and are renowned for their excellent customer service.
8. Adapts (Winner of Naidex 2018 Awards)
ADAPTS reduces the risk of injury and speeds evacuation. Use it to transfer the passenger from a wheelchair to their seat, leaving it on the seat. Then, during an emergency evacuation, ADAPTS can be carried by two crew members or by the passengers immediately behind and across the aisle from the disabled passenger. Made from soft, pliable material, ADAPTS is water- and flame-retardant, compact, and intuitive to use—no assembly required. The lightweight sling weighs about a pound and folds into itself to create a convenient tote. With no sharp edges, buckles or rigid frames, it comfortably cradles the disabled traveller and won’t damage seats or inflatable egress slides.
9. YogaMobility
YogaMobility aims to draw together people with any form of physical, anxiety related problem or disability every week of the year. They offer a dynamic and powerful way to enable and encourage ability rather than disability, in classes, workshops, retreats and seminars. The service is aimed at: people over the age of eighteen with no upper age barrier; any person who feels or knows that they have a disability, and that attending any other exercise class is difficult are welcomed; whether wheelchair bound, using mobility aids of any kind, or simply stressed and anxious related problems; all ethnic groups, any religion, gender, shape or size welcomed.
10. Handiscover
Handiscover gathers great hosts, disabled friendly accommodations and hotels that they select carefully for their quality and value. They offer a mix of accommodations adapted to different levels of mobility. Enjoy great disabled holidays! Get inspiration to travel from their community members, guest bloggers and ambassadors. They will take you on their journey to discover the world, whatever mobility or special needs they have.
Para-Taekwondo has been accepted by the IPC to be part of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Programme. This is exciting news for the sport of Taekwondo, both globally and in the UK. British Para-Taekwondo is a newly created internal operating brand within British Taekwondo. Their current policy is that all Clubs will accept members of any ethnic origin, gender, age or disability etc, however the increased exposure resulting from their Paralympic status demands that they develop their competence and confidence in delivering Para-Taekwondo across their Club network.
12. Brook Miller Mobility (Winner of Best in Show Naidex Award 2018)
Established in 1998 Brook Miller Mobility are much more than just ‘Mobility Specialists’, they are a professional company with a history of excellence and dedication in providing solutions to a multitude of mobility problems. They supply a range of individually converted vehicles. Brook Miller have enjoyed great success with conversions, the VW Caravelle and the VW Caddy Maxi being very popular with Motability customers. To make access as easy as possible, they can convert a vehicle so that when you press a button on the key remote the nearside door is electrically opened, the vehicle lowers and a short electric ramp is automatically deployed. Individual driving adaptions include easy push button engine start, push brake, electronic acceleration and mini wheel steering.
Powerchair Football is a unique sport that provides opportunities for people with a high level of impairment to access the game of football. It is the only active team participation sport for people who use electric wheelchairs. The sport is fast paced, dynamic and very enjoyable to watch. Due to the unique nature of the Powerchair Football it allows all ages, disabilities and both genders to compete together. Powerchair Football enables disabled people to take part in regular activity and provides them with competition – something that the majority will never have, or rarely, experienced before due to their impairment. As a result it build key life skills such as teamwork and communication.
Wheelers’ Paramill is a USA company founded by Larry Pestes of Oregon. Manual wheelchair users now have a new opportunity to achieve cardio workouts, strength conditioning, pulse and heart rate monitoring. SCI rehabilitation and athletic training exercise. The Paramill allows for stationary observation by trainers and therapists with performance and growth tracking capabilities. Accessible to both standard & athletic chairs, the Paramill’s single or split roller options allow for customized rehabilitation and training in both forward or reverse motions.
15. Stanley Stairs
Stanley offer a very strong range of mobility products for use in healthcare environments, designed to improve user mobility, comfort and boost the quality of care given to those that are less mobile, whilst improving operational efficiency, safety and the professional image of healthcare establishments nationwide. Suitable for the care-giving and healthcare environments theye have two types of wheelchair stair climber, the Tolo and the Jolly.
16. Medimotion
Founded in 1994 Medimotion Limited has over 20 years experience supplying high quality therapy solutions throughout Great Britain. Their team is dedicated to deliver a high quality service to meet the specific needs of private individuals, hospitals and therapy centres. Medimotion’s extensive knowledge of the products they provide, and their application, ensures the right product choice, giving you enjoyable effective exercise at home through passive, assisted or active movement.
17. Avail
Avail is revolutionising the way we support people with disabilities and promoting independence for people with Autism, Down Syndrome and other special needs. Fueled with passion, drive and vast real life expertise, founder Lisa Marie has created a revolutionary tool to promote lifelong learning, focusing on helping children and young adults to live an independent life or reach a point that are able to fulfil their maximum potential.
18. Easyrise
At Genie Wheelchairs they pride themselves on developing practical and affordable mobility products that make your day to day life that little bit easier. With the Genie V2 standing wheelchair, the ability to sit, recline, stand up and be mobile means the possibilities are endless. The modular design can be altered at any time to suit requirements. With a wide range of extra features, made to measure seating and custom adaptions available – the Genie V2 standing wheelchair is tailored to your needs.
And to finish we found out from our readers what they love about Able Magazine! See you next year at Naidex 2019!
