Amputee Society
Canterbury & Westland Inc
News - Events - Notices
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- New heights elevating wheelchair system - read article »
We would like to introduce you to the New Heights Elevating Wheelchair System we manufacture, in case you are not already aware of it.
Until now, people and society have gone to great length and expense in order to try and accommodate the needs of wheelchair users, and although they have been successful in providing wheelchair access into most places, it has been impossible to provide adequate function once they were there, as to do so would mean changing everything so that it would not work for anyone else. Our solution was to design a wheelchair system that would provide full access and function to the user in a standard environment, instead of trying to adapt the environment to the wheelchair, as that seemed to make a lot more sense. These units are high end, high performance wheelchairs, equivalent in quality to the best technology coming out of Europe at the present time, with the addition of a very special and unique function. They offer by far the highest seat elevation of anything on the market, and will elevate the user to the height of a person standing, and a little beyond, and stop anywhere in between, providing full height access to anything that anyone else can get to, eliminating the problem of the person being stuck at one level and not being able to access and do things in environments that were designed for people who could stand.
Among some of the benefits offered by the System are the following:
- The unique elevating function provided by these units provides complete and total access in any standard environment, enabling the user to get to and do pretty much anything that anyone else can.
- The units also feature a low end seat height of 18", which will allow the user to comfortably sit at any desk or table and is also low enough that most can bend over and pick things up from the floor.
- Complete independence for most users, as they are fully functional wherever they are, and no longer have to wait for assistance from people to get to things that are out of reach from a standard wheelchair.
- The units provide a huge cost saving, as they completely eliminate the need for costly home renovations to accommodate the limited height access from a standard wheelchair, which cost many times the price of one of our units, and unlike the home adaptations, they provide complete access to everything outside of the home as well. (We've actually had clients who had spent upwards of $ 60,000.00 adapting their homes to a conventional wheelchair, who bought one of our units, found they were more functional in a standard environment, sold the adapted home and bought a standard one instead, so that sort of speaks for itself).
- The units offer the psychological benefit of being able to come up to eye level when interacting with others, and not always being stuck at a low level and having to look up. In fact with the average height woman topping out at a head high of about 6'2" in one of these, and the average height man 6'6", they can look down on everyone else if they wish to.
- The units open up a wide range of new employment opportunities for the wheelchair user, as positions which were previously unavailable to them because of height and access restrictions are not anymore. We have had state "Assistive Technology Services" purchasing these units and issuing them to clients in order to enable them to return to work which they have done very successfully as well.
- The units are designed as high performance wheelchairs. They handle beautifully and easily, and incorporate almost twice the horsepower, while being half the weight of many of the typical standard power chairs on the market, so there is always more than adequate power for climbing ramps, traveling on soft surfaces, etc.. They are also very compact, being 24" nut to nut on the drive wheels, allowing easy access through any standard doorway, and allowing the user to get into many more places than is possible with some of the larger chairs on the market.
- The units incorporate an advanced ergonomic design along with appropriate seat adjustments to provide the greatest comfort for the user. In fact we've had clients reporting that the seating on our standard model chairs, is the only thing they can sit in for more than a couple of hours without becoming sore.
- Each unit is custom manufactured for each individual user, and we have a wide range, sizes, colors and standard accessories available that can be used to customize the chair so their specific requirements. Where these are not sufficient, we are capable of custom manufacturing special options according to their specific needs.
- Lastly, we do not do preprogrammed obsolescence here, and expect to sell only one wheelchair to one customer. The units are backed by a 10 year manufacturer's warranty, and we have had them out there for longer than that, with users subjecting them to hard and constant use, and they are all still working without any problems. There is also no reason to expect that each unit will not last for the rest of the users lifetime as well, as we took the greatest care possible in designing them not to wear out and break down, and also designed them to be easily maintained by the user, a friend or family member themselves, should any component ever need replacing. They cost about twice as much ($ 15,988.00 for the standard model power chair) as a standard low end wheelchair with a one or two year warranty on the working components, but in the long run they provide a huge cost saving many times the initial price of the wheelchair, over purchasing the lower end units that have to be replaced every few years, and constantly be repaired in between.
You can find full information and specifications on all of the units and accessories in the system on our website at :
We are sending this promotion to individuals and organizations whom we expect may be involved in some related field of healthcare or disabilty accommodations, in the hopes of making more people aware of the existence of he product and keeping the project alive in spite of this damn recession our banks have created for us.
For what these units do, and the independence and function they provide to their users, they should become the standard in wheelchair technology, if enough of the market can be made aware of them. Hopefully some of you will have clients whom the technology can benefit, and if not, we would very much appreciate it if you would take the time to forward this information to anyone you know for whom it would be useful.
If you are interested in the product line and would like further information, please don't hesitate to contact me. I will very much look forward to answering any questions you may have and hope that the product can be of great benefit to some of your clients, as it has to many others already. Although its unlikely that these units will ever be covered by any federal program, they have already been paid for by most of the private insurance companies, who will do so based on a doctor's prescription, and as stated earlier, they have been purchased for people by various state agencies as well, so they should be obtainable for most.
Best Regards & thanks;
David K. Brown
BROMAC ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
- Tech Soup New Zealandread article »
The Amputee Society has recently registered with TechSoup New Zealand.
TechSoup New Zealand is a not-for-profit organisation that works to help New Zealand charitable organisations to understand technology.
They work with world leading IT suppliers to provide charitable organisations with donated and discounted computers and software.This will help us with obtaining software for our members, and to help run our local Society.
If any members would like to obtain software for their computer (at no cost) please contact our Web Site Manager Joanne Phone 9425320
- The amputation help and resource guide - read article »
This is an informative page about amputation with some interesting links.
- Library services - read article »
Christchurch City Library Services Housebound Services.
If you are unable to visit your local library because of illness or disability, they can provide a door-to-door library service for you. A medical certificate may be required. A friend or relative can select, deliver and return items on your behalf. Staff at your library may be able to select items for you, ready for your friend or relative to collect. If you have no-one available, a Red Cross courier can select and deliver items for you. Storyline Talking Book Service This service is for readers with a visual or physical disability. Fiction and non-fiction books recorded on tape. A Storyline catalogue in large print to help you to select your tapes. Regular supply on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis. Available at all Libraries Large Print - fiction and non-fiction books for those unable to read normal print easily Talking Books - fiction and non-fiction books recorded on tape. Captioned Videos - Videos with sub titles for people with a hearing disability (held at the Central Library but available to all libraries on request). For further information please contact Outreach & Special Needs Ph: 389 0753 or ask at your local library.
- Continuing Education - read article »
There is a new Department at The University of Canterbury, which caters for people of all ages & disabilities who may be wanting to upskill or continue with their education/ gain a degree or other qualification.
The Deartment is called "Disability Resource Services" & is being staffed by an enthusiastic team of people, who are very willing to assist with any enquiries.
Give them a call or pay a visit & I'm sure that you will be impressed.
- Safe with Age - read article »
Safe with Age is a course for the 55 - 100 year old driver.
This is a certificated theory motoring course for the 55 - 100 year old driver. The course uses videos, pictures and maps to assist people to understand safer ways of getting from A to B and planning a better route to take. Included in this course is a refresher of the road code with some defensive driving hints.
They offer an enjoyable time learning & Afternoon teas are provided.
The course runs for one day a week for successive weeks from 1 - 4.30pm.
There has been much positive feedback regarding these courses. For further information please contact the Road Safety Co-ordinator Susan Ph: 332 2722.
- 65 years or over?? Keep warm to keep well - read article »
In this bitterly cold weather it is important to keep warm.
Community Health Professionals advise that rooms we live and sleep in should be kept at 20 degrees C. If the temperature drops to 16 degrees C there is risk of respiratory illness. At 12 degrees C there is an increased risk of stroke or heart attack.
If you are concerned about the cost of heating see Age Concern they may be able to help you.
Page last updated 19th August 2020 • Send us an email • Print this page
