Paratransit EXTRA

Uber to Passengers: Our Drivers May Be Unsafe

2016-02-27T15:41:00.002-07:00

(NewsUSA) - They've reached what you could call the braking point.

Fueled by anger over Uber and other ride-booking services' own warnings that their drivers may pose a "risk," critics are calling for a "Passenger Bill of Rights" that would serve as a stop-gap until lawmakers act to officially crack down on the app-based industry's most egregious safety issues.

Safety -- or the lack of it -- has been a major concern ever since news reports began piling up of ride-booking drivers across the country being arrested for allegedly raping and assaulting passengers. And with the companies fighting efforts to subject their drivers to the same rigorous background checks as taxi and limousine drivers, the last straw may have been the discovery that the "terms of use" posted on their own websites appear to place the burden on passengers to decide who they're willing to entrust their lives to behind the wheel.

"By using the services," Uber states, "you acknowledge that you may be exposed to situations involving third-party providers" -- meaning, their drivers -- "that are potentially unsafe, offensive, harmful to minors, or otherwise objectionable, and that use of third-party providers arranged or scheduled using the services is at your own risk."

And from Lyft, another top industry player: "Users understand and accept that Lyft has no control over the identity or actions of the riders and drivers. . . Drivers and riders use the services at their own risk."

The Bill of Rights intentionally includes all "ground transportation," not just app-based services like Uber, Lyft, Sidecar and Whisk. That jibes with the stance of the non-profit National Limousine Association, which suggested the guidelines as part of its "Ride Responsibly" campaign, that "everyone be held to the same standards."

"As the global voice of the private driver transportation industry," said Gary Buffo, the NLA's president, "we feel it is our obligation to promote a safer and more accountable system for passengers and operators."

Among the rights passengers would be entitled to:

* Proof of commercial-for-hire licensing and certifications.

* A safe and courteous driver covered by commercial vehicle insurance (which ride-booking drivers may or may not have).

* A fully vetted and trained driver who's undergone official criminal background checks and pre-hire drug testing.

* Air-conditioning on request.

* Fully functioning seat belts.

* A quoted fare and final charge that match the agreed upon amount.

* Assurance that the vehicle has undergone regular inspections and is certified as being safe.

With a new Harris Poll showing a whopping 91 percent of Americans believe there should be mandatory rules and regulations for ride-hailing drivers, the NLA also stepped up pressure on lawmakers by setting up a website (www.rideresponsibly.org) to provide a forum for public debate on the issue.

Don't Let Father Time Take Your Independence

2015-11-07T21:14:00.002-07:00

(NewsUSA) - When most people are envisioning their retirement, they picture themselves doing things they love, like dancing, playing tennis, or running around the playground with their grandchildren. Unfortunately, retirement isn't always as great as hoped. These days, too many seniors find themselves losing their independence due to the natural aging process.

According to Marketing Charts, 26 percent of seniors surveyed said that losing their independence was their biggest fear. That's higher than the 13 percent of seniors who feared moving into a nursing home or 3 percent fearing death. Instead of seniors fearing a loss of independence, let's look at some ways they can regain it and start making all of their retirement dreams come true.

Invest in a Power Wheelchair

Power wheelchairs provide seniors with independence and comfort beyond a traditional manual wheelchair. Seniors can stay independent thanks to joystick movement, letting them choose speed and direction they are comfortable with. Power wheelchairs also allow seniors to recline and tilt, helping them raise their legs if they need to.

Attach Bathroom Aids

Installing grab bars or safety handles on tubs and walls, along with bath and shower chairs, can help seniors regain their independence by giving them the confidence they need to safely bath themselves, even if they have a home health aide helping them.

Install a Stairlift

Seniors looking to recapture their independence, especially when they can't make it up the stairs anymore, can install an Acorn Stairlift. Seniors with arthritis don't have to worry, because it's the only approved starlift, with the Ease-of-Use commendation by the Arthritis Foundation.

Available for straight or curved stairs, Acorn Stairlifts provides seniors with a safe and secure movement from sitting down to stepping off through its swivel seat and safety belt. With this stairlift, seniors also don't have to worry about malfunctions with its built-in safety sensors that prevent it from running into something it shouldn't. It also features an easy-to-read numerical display notifying seniors if it needs servicing -- preventing it from malfunctioning with someone on it.

Learn more about how seniors can regain their independence by visiting www.acornstairlifts.com.

Bright Horizons for Readers With Visual or Physical Disabilities

2015-04-05T18:52:00.001-06:00

(NewsUSA) - The joys of reading -- from relaxation and entertainment to the ability to learn new things and connect with the world -- are not out of reach for people with impaired vision or a physical disability.

The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), part of the Library of Congress, is dedicated to enriching the lives of its patrons by offering them books, magazines, music scores and other materials in audio and braille at no charge.

NLS provides service to any U.S. resident or U.S. citizen living abroad who is blind, has low vision or has a physical disability that makes it difficult to hold a book or read regular print. Thousands of bestsellers, classics, biographies and more may be downloaded from the Internet or ordered for home delivery through a nationwide network of cooperating libraries.

NLS, established in 1931, expanded its service to include physically disabled readers in 1966. People with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, or other conditions that result in paralysis, loss of the use of arms or hands, lack of muscle coordination, prolonged weakness or visual impairment may access the NLS collection. So can people with temporary limitations resulting from strokes, accidents or other occurrences.

San Francisco resident Ivana Kirola, 38, has cerebral palsy and doesn't have the strength to hold a book. Audiobooks from NLS allow her to indulge her myriad interests in politics, travel, health, music and more. Kirola enjoys a variety of titles, from historical nonfiction and real-life adventures to books about the inner workings of Congress and the life of Jimi Hendrix. A recent favorite is Jennifer Woodlief's account of a deadly Lake Tahoe avalanche, "A Wall of White."

"I really appreciate the services from NLS," Kirola says. "They help me in my daily life, in understanding people and keeping up to date with the news. My favorite part of NLS is the widened horizons that reading audiobooks gives to me."

Kirola also attends a yoga class at the San Francisco Library -- one of NLS's regional partners -- to help maintain flexibility. "The thing that has helped me is to remain persistent in what I would like to experience," Kirola says. "Sometimes what you need is elusive, but it's important not to give up. There are solutions for everything but sometimes it takes persistence to find out what they are."

If you or a loved one is blind, has low vision or has a physical disability, learn more about the free reading program by calling 1-888-NLS-READ or visiting www.loc.gov/nls.

The BARD Mobile App for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch will allow blind users to download and read NLS Braille and talking books directly from the Braille and Audio Reading Download site (BARD). Karen Keninger provides an overview of the app.

Quadruple Amputee Stands Tall Again

2015-03-01T09:56:00.000-07:00

(NewsUSA) - Twenty-two-year-old Manuel Salazar had just begun work on a construction site in Georgia when, in an instant, his life was changed forever.

A crane on the job site hit a power line, sending it to the ground where Salazar was standing, and hitting him twice with 115,000 volts of electricity. While exposure to this dose of electricity is enough to kill anyone, miraculously Salazar survived to tell the tale.

However, Salazar's injuries were grave. His burns were life-threatening and required that his arms and legs be amputated. The emotional struggle ahead of him as a quadruple amputee was overwhelming.

"I didn't understand why they had saved my life," said Salazar. "I didn't think life could go on."

But press on he did, and he was given new hope numerous times from the help of donated allograft tissue, a gift from deceased human donors. AlloSource, one of the nation's largest non-profit providers of skin, bone and soft tissue allografts, provided the life-saving skin grafts to cover Salazar's burns and promote healing.

After his stay in the burn unit, he was brought to the Denver Center for Extremities at Risk. Because of the extent of his amputations, it was difficult to fit prosthetics for Salazar.

Dr. Ross Wilkins and the team at the center again used human tissue processed at AlloSource to help Salazar's mobility. Donor bone was used to help build Salazar a shoulder. Along with muscle from Salazar's back, the new shoulder can sustain a lightweight, highly functional prosthetic. With the new shoulder and prosthetic, Salazar can now feed himself, brush his teeth and even scratch his head, many simple things that he could not accomplish before.

Despite his ongoing physical setbacks, Salazar insists that he is the same man he was before the accident six years ago. In fact, his stubbies (short prosthetic legs that allow him to walk in a shuffling motion) and wheelchair have hardly held him back: Salazar skis, water-skis, swims, drives and wants to go ski diving. He also opened an auto body shop called Progressive Auto Works, in Colorado, and employs a team of people.

He speaks often to groups and inspires others with his incredible spirit.

"I'm thankful to be alive," said Salazar. "I want to try new things. I see life in a whole new way."

Legally Blind Racer Forges Ahead as Musher -- and Reader

2015-01-17T16:27:00.000-07:00

(NewsUSA) - Rachael Scdoris is a competitive dogsled racer and -- thanks to the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), the Library of Congress -- an avid reader.

Scdoris, 28, was raised in Bend, Ore., on the back of a sled. Her father spent 36 years as a musher, and Scdoris was determined to follow his trail. The fact that she couldn't see it mattered little. Scdoris was born with a rare vision disorder called congenital achromatopsia, rendering her legally blind with complete color blindness. But her flat, fuzzy world was harder for others to overcome than for Scdoris. She believes a disability is only a state of mind.

"What it really boils down to is people saying, ?Well, if I were visually impaired, I couldn't do it, so clearly you can't.'" Scdoris said. So it was "a major controversy" when, as a teenager, she was allowed to enter the 2003 Iditarod -- the Super Bowl of dogsled racing.

She competed in the Iditarod three times after that. Scdoris also juggles training for her newest competitive pursuit, tandem cycling, with giving commercial sled dog tours and taking care of a kennel the size of a football field.

Last year, Scdoris spoke at the national conference of libraries that partner with NLS to provide books and magazines in audio and braille to people with visual or physical disabilities.

"They told me about all this cool technology they're using to make it easier for their patrons, and I really wanted to take advantage of that again," Scdoris said. "What takes most people about 20 minutes to read would take me an hour or more. To have the book on audio and be able to listen to it faster than most people could read it -- that was a nice thing. I've read a lot more books in the past few months than I did all last year."

Even when she's enjoying her books, though, her furry teammates are not far from her mind.

"They're amazing," Scdoris said. "No matter how tough a run is, they always love it. The definition of teamwork is many individuals working toward a common goal. They're all individuals, but they become such a unit when it's important. I've been doing this my entire life, and I've tried to explain it my entire life, and I really can't. It's a feeling unlike any other."

If you, a friend or a loved one are blind, have low vision or cannot hold a book because of an illness or disability, the free NLS program can help you continue to experience the joy of reading. To learn more, visit www.loc.gov/nls or call 1-888-NLS-READ.

A segment of "National Geographic Today" about Rachel Scdoris, a blind dog sled racer destined for the Iditarod.

Home Is Where the Healthcare Is

2015-01-10T13:05:00.003-07:00

(NewsUSA) - Home is where the heart is. Increasingly, the home is also where the healthcare is.

For various reasons, older people prefer to receive medical care at home, whether it be in their own home or their children's home. Census data show a 67 percent jump between 2000 and 2007 in the number of parents who have moved in with their adult children.

More than 8 million seniors and people with disabilities enjoy the benefits of medical care at home. Services and equipment that enable people to receive care at home include oxygen therapy, power wheelchairs, hospital beds and diabetic supplies. Congress and the White House will consider the value of homecare for patients and taxpayers as they explore avenues for healthcare reform.

Reforming healthcare, especially Medicare, is a top issue in Washington, D.C. Medicare provides health insurance to approximately 43 million Americans aged 65 and older, and to people with permanent disabilities. The spending of Medicare is projected to grow annually by 7.5 percent over the next decade. Medicare trustees project that Medicare's Trust Fund will be exhausted in 2019.

While total Medicare spending skyrockets, the portion devoted to home medical care and equipment remains less than 2 percent. At the same time, homecare holds down costs better than other healthcare segments. Two years of home oxygen therapy costs less than the average Medicare cost for a single day in the hospital, which is more than $5,500.

Providing care to seniors in their homes requires services. Homecare providers serve clients after hours and over weekends to ensure that their patients stay safe -; and out of emergency rooms. Also, homecare providers help vulnerable seniors during emergencies such as ice storms and hurricanes.

As the President and Congress work toward solutions regarding the uninsured and the rising costs of care, the role of home medical care and equipment is likely to be considered as one of the key solutions that will help sustain Medicare and Medicaid.

Tyler J. Wilson, president of the American Association for Homecare, notes, "Homecare will continue to be safe and cost-effective only as long as policy-makers in Washington remember that homecare requires a human touch, including services and personal attention."

For more information on homecare and its services, visit www.aahomecare.org/athome.

Homecare Delivers Value—Along With Oxygen and Wheelchairs

2015-01-01T07:12:00.003-07:00

(NewsUSA) - Given a choice, most people would choose the comforts of their own home over a stay in a hospital or nursing home. But for many, receiving care at home is not an option.

That's why an overwhelming majority (78 percent) of American voters say they would vote for congressional candidates who would strengthen Medicare coverage for power wheelchairs, oxygen devices, hospital beds and other durable medical equipment and services used in the home, according to a 2007 survey.

"Homecare is both cost-effective and is the preferred choice of consumers," said Tyler J. Wilson, president of the American Association for Homecare. "It is part of the answer to the Medicare and Medicaid funding problems. Yet, members of Congress have proposed deep cuts to Medicare reimbursement for durable medical equipment, on top of previous cuts and other reductions that have yet to take effect. Broad bipartisan voter sentiment calling for better policy may elevate homecare as a policy priority for Congress and the White House."

Providers of durable medical equipment deliver home oxygen therapy, wheelchairs, hospital beds and other items to Americans who require medical care at home. They also deliver independence for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and deliver value to taxpayers since quality medical care at home keeps seniors out of emergency rooms, hospitals and nursing homes.

Homecare is a very cost-effective method for nearly 8 million Americans who depend on homecare for medically required services and equipment. According to studies in medical journals, the cost of home intravenous antibiotic treatment is much lower than what it would be at a hospital. In February 2008, USA Today analyzed federal spending on seniors and found that "long-term care costs per senior have declined slightly in the last three years because of a move away from nursing homes to less-expensive homecare."

Studies have also shown that oxygen therapy reduces mortality and hospitalization rates. And not only does it reduce these rates, but oxygen can be provided to a patient with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who lives at home for one year at less than the average Medicare cost for one day in the hospital, which is about $4,600.

Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt has called for a greater use of home and community-based care because "it's not only where people want to be served, but it's radically more efficient."

For more information on homecare, visit www.aahomecare.org.

Wheelchair Ramp Building Code

2014-12-20T14:18:00.002-07:00

By Marc Willis

Before you begin building a wheelchair ramp yourself or go out to buy one, you should be familiar with the building code for wheelchair ramps. Local and federal building codes will guide you to design and construct a safe and efficient ramp or help you to find a ramp that meets these requirements. Local codes will vary and you should seek them out while planning what type of ramp to use. But other guidelines are more concrete and will be easy to apply to your project whether you're in the southern, northern, or western region of the country.

What is the ADA?
The ADA, or Americans with Disabilities Act, is a set of guidelines that covers all aspects of public building construction so that there is plenty of accessibility for all. Those who are handicapped or in a wheelchair or use a scooter can maneuver into buildings via ramps, fit inside elevators, use public restrooms and much more. Enacted in 1992 by President Bush, these regulations have ensured that all public buildings constructed since then are accessible to anyone. Ignoring these guidelines can lead to law suits. The only exceptions are buildings built before the guidelines were created and some historic buildings if including a ramp isn't feasible or would damage the structure. The building code for wheelchair ramps can also apply to private homes. Don't ignore these guidelines simply because your ramp is for home use.

How Can I Get the ADA Guidelines?
Fortunately, the ADA guidelines flow freely on the Internet. However, they also have building code books that detail the building code for wheelchair ramps. Because this is an American standard, the same guidelines will not apply in other lands, for instance Canada. If you live outside the U.S., look for that country's standards when it comes to wheelchair ramps and/or accessibility. Basically, following this code makes sure that your ramp is functional for the person or persons in question and ensures that the ramp is safe to use.

What Do the ADA Guidelines Govern?
The ADA guidelines cover almost every important aspect of ramp building. You will need to rely on the building code for wheelchair ramps for the proper width of the ramp, the size and number of landings and transitions on the ramp. The slope and rise of the ramp, and the inclusion and position of handrails. Because they give you the most balanced ratio for slope to rise, it can cut down on the time spent trying to figure that out. The specifications in the wheelchair ramp building code are designed for general public buildings so the measurements set out cover all different scenarios and focus on typical situations.

Go online to find out the building code for wheelchair ramps according to the ADA. And don't forget to check with local building code standards as well before setting out to build or buy your wheelchair ramp. Use the guidelines to design and construct (or help you buy) a ramp that will meet the person's needs first and foremost. Focus on safety and function so that whoever most needs the ramp can benefit fully from it.

Read more about building code for wheelchair ramps.
Visit http://www.wheelchairsramps.net
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How to Transfer From Your Wheelchair to Your Car - 5 Success Secrets to Freedom and Mobility

2014-09-07T02:50:00.002-06:00

By Marcia Oliver

Wheelchairs provide freedom for thousands, but they can also present challenges to the very freedoms they offer. You don't have to be a 'stuck at home' statistic. Discover 5 secrets to gaining your freedom and mobility away from home without awkward and difficult manual transfers from your wheelchair to your car. Realize for yourself the joy of going shopping, eating out or vacationing once again! Before you start, always lock your chair and detach all movable parts i.e. footrests, accessories, trays etc. Follow the next 5 steps for achieving freedom of mobility!

Secret #1 Keep the sitting surfaces equal in height. Impossible? It is much easier to slide from surfaces that are even in height. Don't try to move from a lower surface to a higher surface and if you are moving from higher to lower, make sure that it's not dangerously lower!

Secret #2 Remember friction in physics? Transfers are all about minimizing friction! Make sure that the surfaces that you are sliding from and two are not going to increase the friction. For instance, on a hot day, bare, sweaty skin on leather will stop your transfer in it's tracks. Material with low shag provides less friction making your slide much easier.

Secret #3 To increase legroom in smaller cars, Slide the car seat all the way back AND all the way down (for legs that aren't bending as much as is necessary or total hip replacements that need to follow a 90 degree precaution).

Secret #4 The steering wheel is a sturdy "grab bar" when scooting.

Secret #5 For the caregiver, once the patient is in the car, Walk around to the driver's side, crawl in. Pull and assist your patient in from this angle instead of trying to push them in from the passenger side. Pulling overcomes friction issues easier than pushing does. After getting the patient safely and efficiently in the car, open your trunk for wheelchair transport. Lock the wheelchair wheels first. Those big wheels are hard NOT to grab so when you do, you don't want the rest of the unit flipping around and hurting you.

With wheels locked and chair folded, tip the chair up on your legs just enough to clear the trunk threshold and slide it in. This uses the pivoting see-saw leverage of your legs instead of trying to lift the dead weight of the chair. To get the chair out, reverse that order! This makes it much easier to get that chair in and out of the car. And that means you just may have more inspiration to get out more!

Enjoy illustrations and elaborations on the tips above at our updated page. If you need more assistance, you may want to look up a home health care agency in your area to see if their physical therapist can assist you with your freedom and mobility goals. Home health physical therapists can help a great deal in working with your unique and individual circumstance. No two patients, cars or abilities (for caregivers or patients) are ever alike and sometimes troubleshooting by a medical professional can solve your problems! Benefit from Marcia's knowledge, passion and humorous insight with thousands of other people at http://www.home-health-care-physical-therapy.com where she is dedicated to helping you meet your physical therapy and functional goals, one answer at a time.

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Innovative Wheelchair Technology - The IBOT Mobility System

2014-05-19T17:10:00.001-06:00

By Henry Otterman

The iBOT 4000 Mobility System is a technological wonder. While it performs the same basic functions as an ordinary wheelchair, it also has so much more to offer. The iBOT is a power wheelchair developed by Dean Kamen and sold through Independence Technology, which is owned by Johnson & Johnson. In 2006, it retailed for around $26,000. In early 2009, all sales of the iBOT Mobility System ended, although support for existing units will continue until the end of 2013.

This power wheelchair is driven by a sophisticated system that combines sensors, software, gyroscopes and computers into the iBOT Mobility System. The iBALANCE, a special software package, receives data from sensors and gyroscopes and allows the iBOT to maintain its balance and stability. It can climb curbs while keeping the seat level. The wheelchair can power across uneven ground, sand, gravel and tall grass. It is perfect for traveling on city sidewalks as well as nature trails.

The iBOT Mobility System wheelchair can climb up stairs and curbs. A unique balance position allows the passenger to be raised up to eye-level for an eye-to-eye conversation or to reach up to shelves and cupboards. An iBOT is programmed and calibrated to the user's center of gravity to maintain balance constantly. When you move, the iBOT moves with you. A failsafe mechanism consisting of redundant backup systems ensures safety in all its operating modes.

The iBOT combines functionality with comfort. The automotive-style seat is adjustable to provide posture support and maximum comfort. The control panel can be situated in either arm, and it can swing away for convenience. A lighting system includes flashers and directional signals for added safety. It can also be locked-out to prevent usage by unauthorized persons.

The power supply for the iBOT 4000 Mobility System wheelchair is provided by two 67.2 volt batteries. It can be driven 12-15 miles between charges. The iBOT, however, is not for everyone. Allowable passenger weight is 75 lbs. to 250 lbs. A doctor's prescription is needed to buy the unit, as required by the FDA. Upon delivery of the iBOT, the user must undergo a systematic training program.

Although the iBOT Mobility System is billed as a stair-climbing wheelchair, the wheelchair user needs a handrail and sufficient upper body strength to climb stairs. Otherwise, an assistant will have to help.

Now that sales of the iBOT have been discontinued, current users will not be able to get a replacement when their iBOT wears out. Licensing will return to Dean Kamen, and those who want to have an iBOT Mobility System wheelchair in the future are hoping that it will become available again.
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Medical Transport Procedure For Patients Confined to a Wheelchair - Going Down a Staircase

2014-03-30T19:34:00.000-06:00

By Bryntly Bethea

When you find yourself needing to transport a wheelchair bound patient down a flight of stairs to your medical transportation service vehicle and do not have a stretcher or stair chair on hand then you will need to improvise.

The first thing that must be accomplished is to secure your wheelchair bound patient to their wheelchair with a stretcher strap or even a seat belt from your medical transport unit.
When securing your patient for medical transport down the stairs be sure they are sitting upright and that the straps are tight. Patients will tend to try to grab the railing on the stairs so have your patient cross their arms. You may nave to also strap in the arms in the case of a combative patient or a stroke patient.

Lean your patient backwards in the wheelchair and have your EMT spotter in front of the patient. Slowly go down the stairs with your patient facing forward and leaning backwards.

The medic in the spotting position should both stabilize the wheelchair from the front and slow down the forward motion of the wheelchair.

The EMT in the back should hold on to the handles on the wheelchair with his knees bent and shoulders over his or her bottom. take one stair at a time and before long you will be loading your patient into the medical transport unit.

This procedure is dangerous and should only be performed by professionals familiar with the procedure.

See http://long-distance-medical-transport.com/long-distance-medical-transportation-services.html for more long distance medical transportation information.

I am an emt working at http://www.EasternRoyalMedical.com we have used this procedure many times safely in the field. I have about five years experience with it. I enjoy both learning new procedures and sharing the ones I know with other medical transportation providers.

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Electric Wheelchair Travel on Airlines and Cruise Ships

2013-11-16T13:33:00.000-07:00

Electric Wheelchair Travel on Airlines and Cruise Ships
By Michael Tsakok

Electric wheelchair traveling can be a hassle for the users but if they are well prepared, there is no place on earth that is out of bounds for wheelchair users.For most wheelchair users when traveling, accessibility is always an issue, be it boarding the plane or cruise to moving along the narrow aisle on board them. This article discusses about traveling on different modes of transport for wheelchair users going overseas and the things to look out for when traveling.

Electric wheelchair users have to make sure his wheelchair or handicap scooter is in good condition before leaving home. It is advisable to send your wheelchair for servicing especially before a long haul trip. Remind the service man to tighten any loose bolts and screws and also add lubricant to the axles of the wheels. You would want your wheelchair to be in tip top condition when traveling to prevent any problems that will wreck the enjoyment of the holiday. Time can be better sightseeing than finding a repair shop and waiting for repair.Write your name,contact number, return address and destination on tags that can be attached to your electric wheelchair and any removable parts. Some of the parts are expensive and difficult to replace so it is recommended that you take care of them too. Electric wheelchairs with pneumatic tires run a risk of having flat tires. It is therefore handy to bring along a repair kit that contains parts necessary to switch a flat tire. The repair kit can be a small palm sized box but enough to store the crucial parts that are small.

When traveling by cruise, boarding and disembarkation is the more troublesome parts of the journey. Basically, there are 3 ways a wheelchair user can disembark from the cruise ship: The first way applies to users who are able to walk down the gangway and the wheelchair will be handled separately by the ship assistants. For those who have problems walking, I suggest you stay on the wheelchair and allow the strong sailors to carry the wheelchair plus yourself down the gangway. The last method is by using what we call "creepy crawler". It is a mechanical system which the electric wheelchair mounts onto, converting it to a "walking" system. Electric wheelchair and scooter users have to take note that they are unable to employ the last two methods of disembarkation as the weight of the electric wheelchair is simply too heavy to be carried and also risk damaging the electronic components with too much vibrations. Ship assistants will advise you to transfer to a manual wheelchair and transferred off the ship separately. You can return to your electric wheelchair or scooter at the pier.

The most common form of transport is by air and the different airlines actually perform differently when wheelchair travelers are concerned. It takes extra efforts to provide satisfied service for wheelchair travelers and proper training should be rendered to the airline staffs. Back to the wheelchair users, call to confirm your flight details as they are subjected to change. Electric wheelchair users will spend a lot more time transferring between airport terminals if they arrive at the wrong one. You need to also inform in advance the airline that you will be traveling in a electric wheelchair, manual wheelchair or handicap scooter. Ask for additional assistance when you reach the airline counter.Electric wheelchair users have to request for "gate check" as it allows you to move directly onto the plane. The airline staff will assist you in placing the wheelchair at a corner after you transfer to the seat, usually by the aisle. You are reminded to remove the leg and seat cushions and carry along by your side as these loose components may go missing while in storage. If the wheelchair can be folded, use duct tapes to tie the wheelchair together, keeping it as compact as possible. This will prevent damage from rough airport handlers.

Other steps to take while traveling by used electric wheelchairs and scooters include the type of batteries to use. The best form of batteries to use for traveling are the gel cell and dry cell batteries. Refrain from using wet cell batteries as there is a possibility of leakage and airlines usually ban them from being taken on board.If your electric wheelchairs were to be stored in the goods compartment of the airplane, you must take precautions to prevent unwarranted use of your electric wheelchairs by the handlers. Set the electric wheelchair transmission to neutral gear such that it can be manually pushed to its storage location. Remove the battery connections between both chair and battery and use a duct tape on both ends. Never leave a open wire dangling. Keep the power cord by your side at all times. You also have to remove the joystick and keep beside you or if it is fixed to the electric wheelchair, loosen the joystick and point it downwards. This is to prevent damage to the joystick due to other weights being piled on top of it.

For electric wheelchair travelers who often have to move along the aisle of the transport vehicle i.e. plane or cruise, the electric wheelchairs have to be left behind as they are too wide for the narrow aisle. In these situations, the transport operators have to provide aisle chairs which are skinny enough to move down the aisle and bring the wheelchair user to his or her seat. In recent years, airlines have made provisions such as knock down arm rests among its seats on board flights. This helps to cater to the increasing number of savvy wheelchair travelers worldwide and airlines have also gained in their image as all encompassing enterprises with no discrimination.

As a last piece of advice for wheelchair travelers, do not assume the care of your electric wheelchairs to be the prerogative of the transport operators. You, as the owner, should take every steps to prepare for wheelchair travel and cooperate with the standard operating procedures of the operators as far as possible. Being considerate is the key here, it will also be the deciding factor whether the you will enjoy your holiday or completely spoil it. Pack up and enjoy electric wheelchair users out there!

electric wheelchairs

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Tsakok
http://EzineArticles.com/?Electric-Wheelchair-Travel-on-Airlines-and-Cruise-Ships&id=3005216

The Case for Inclusion

2013-09-30T20:47:00.000-06:00

Source: Scioto Properties

Angel MedFlight Answers

2013-09-02T13:49:00.003-06:00

Author: Dan Restko

Maybe it's you, a loved one or a friend in need of critical care and time is of the essence. Or perhaps a patient has a rare disorder that is treated by an expert physician thousands of miles away. These are just two possible scenarios that would call for air ambulance transport. And the first call you should make should be to Angel MedFlight Worldwide Air Ambulance.

When a patient is critically ill, commercial transport is out of the question. Commercial jets don't carry the necessary equipment and there are restrictions on how much oxygen can be brought on board. Can't risk exposure to all the germs on a commercial flight? Then consider Angel MedFlight where patients fly in medically-configured jets equipped with a stretcher, advanced life support equipment and medications.

Who will treat the patient on board Angel MedFlight?

Each and every one of our flights is staffed with a Critical Care Nurse and a Critical Care Flight Paramedic. This is far different from other air ambulance companies which sometimes have overworked and/or undertrained nurses and medics providing the care. Angel MedFlight nurses and flight paramedics have a minimum of 10 years combined experience and many have specialized training in critical care, emergency medicine and other specialties.

Your Angel MedFlight experience BEGINS with the best care in the industry. Other air ambulance companies have low-level employees or salespeople answering the phones. When you contact Angel MedFlight your call is handled by a trained medical professional.

What about the cost of air ambulance transport?

The safest and fastest way to get a patient to urgent medical care is via air ambulance and this mode of transport is not without operating costs. But Angel MedFlight is committed to finding the most cost effective transportation without compromising the quality of care. If you're considering an air ambulance for patient transport, our flight coordinators will provide a no-obligation quote for you.

Our quote will include ground ambulance, medical personnel, flight crew, equipment and medicines and the flight itself. If there are additional charges, usually contingent upon the patient's upgraded condition, they would be made prior to the flight and with full knowledge of the patient.

These are just a few of the frequently asked questions we are asked about our Angel MedFlight air ambulance service. We will address more questions about medical care, insurance, aircraft and other topics in future articles of this Angel MedFlight Answers series.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/angel-medflight-answers-when-to-consider-an-air-ambulance-6593893.html

14 Ways to Make Traveling with a Disability Easier

2013-08-11T11:07:00.001-06:00

By Helen Hecker

If you travel with a disability, handicap, physical limitation, mobility limitation, or developmental disability, have special needs, or use an electric wheelchair or handicap scooter, it's a good idea to learn as much as you can to make disabled travel easier.

Or if you're a mature traveler or senior who is a slow walker or just wants a slower pace, becoming more informed about disabled travel services and disability travel resources, will lessen the anxiety that often accompanies disabled travelers.

The following travel tips, resources and information for the disabled will help make trips, tours, holidays and vacations a lot easier for you, or for a child with a disability, whether short-term or long-term.

1. Plan your trip well in advance! Do you need to order extra supplements, medications or renew prescriptions, fix eyeglasses or change prescriptions, get a physical, have dental work done, have your wheelchair fixed or tuned up, etc.?

2. If possible, always book your travel through an agency that specializes in helping people with disabilities. This is important because specialized travel agents and tour operators for the disabled are experienced and can save you some awful headaches.

They offer a lot of good tips and a wide range of services for the handicapped traveler. Among other things, they can arrange for a: wheelchair at the airport, wheelchair accessible hotel room, wheelchair rental, lift-equipped accessible van, full van, minivan, RV, handicap scooter, or any other handicap vehicle.

Travel agents for the disabled can help arrange accessible transportation, help plan the best accessible cruise, give cruise line and cruising tips, arrange travel insurance and take care of special needs.

Agents can check with hotels for: inner and outer door widths to accommodate your wheelchair, ADA-approved handicap bath tubs, grab bars, or for roll-in showers. Just tell them your needs.

Travel agents can help you find cheap airfare, cheap tickets, cheap flights, cheap travel auto insurance, cheap hotels, cheap car rentals, cheap cruises, cheap vacations and cheap travel of all kinds.

3. Besides taking along your travel agent's phone number, you'll also want to take with you the phone numbers for the travel agencies that specialize in disabled travel at your destination, in the event you can't reach your own agent.
These travel agents may know how to solve problems that come up regarding your hotel, car or van rentals, etc., even if you didn't order your tickets through them.

4. When traveling to another city, check out the local health and medical associations before you go. For example, get the phone numbers for the local MS chapter if you have MS. These organizations can be great resources.

They usually know what museums, restaurants, theaters & other local facilities are wheelchair accessible and where you can get oxygen, emergency supplies or medical assistance. They may be able to help you with any problems that arise.

5. If you plan to rent a handicap scooter, wheelchair, electric wheelchair, handicap van, full van, mini-van, RV or other vehicle in another city, don't wait until you get there. Make all the arrangements before you leave on your trip.

Make sure you ask any specifics like, are there tie-downs, ramps, or hoists, etc. Check on what van, RV, car or auto insurance you'll need before you go.

6. Don't leave anything to chance. If you can, double-check all the arrangements your travel agent makes. Call the airlines, hotels, scooter, wheelchair, car, RV or van rental companies, medical equipment rental companies, etc., and verify the specifics, especially if you're traveling in a wheelchair or have any other special needs like oxygen.

This is important if you haven't used the agent before.

7. If you need oxygen or any other special medical equipment, call airlines and suppliers well in advance of your trip. Don't wait until the last minute. Start calling them as soon as you know you're going to be traveling or taking a trip.

Then double-check with your travel agent and the airline at least three to four days before your flight.

8. Arrive early at the airport. It's better to wait around there than miss your plane. This will eliminate some of the pre-trip anxiety you might feel and make for more leisurely travel. This seems like common knowledge but many people still arrive at the gate just in the nick of time.

With all that's going on in the world today there are many reasons why you want to allow for more time at the airport.

9. In your airplane carry-on bag keep copies of the prescriptions for your medications and eyeglasses, extra eyeglasses, sunglasses, all your medications and supplements, and a list of your doctor, dentist and other health professionals with their addresses, and phone numbers.

Include your doctor's fax number for prescriptions in case you lose your medications. Keep duplicate copies of these in your luggage and at home by the telephone. Know where your medical records are kept.

10. When you travel, and for any other time too, if you take medications, learn their names and exactly what they're for if you don't know. People come into the emergency room all the time and don't know what medications they're taking. You might be surprised to find out that most people say 'a little yellow pill' or 'a white capsule', etc.

Emergency workers need to know what you're taking so they don't give you medication that would interact adversely with it, overdose you or somehow interfere with their treatment and your recovery.

11. If you're traveling by air, tell the flight attendants when you board, of any medical problem you might encounter on your flight. Note the location of the closest restroom before getting seated. Tell the flight attendant if you think you'll need assistance getting to it during the flight.

You may need or want an aisle seat for easy access to the restrooms. Discuss seating with your travel agent.

12. If you need someone to travel with you, ask your travel agent for ideas or suggestions. Call the local chapters of medical associations and ask if they can recommend a travel assistant or travel companion to help or accompany you.

There are national companies who offer traveling nurses, traveling companions or travel assistants to accompany disabled travelers or people with serious medical issues.

13. Make sure to take with you: any medical cards, Medicare cards, discount cards, car or auto rental discount cards, auto insurance policy numbers and agent's phone number, passport, airline tickets, etickets, American Express Travelers Cheques, debit cards, credit cards, and drivers license. Photocopy everything.

Keep photocopies in your luggage and at home by the telephone or someplace where someone has access to it in case you need it.

14. Read everything you can about traveling with a disability. Read disabled travel books, access guides, accessible guidebooks, disability travel articles and travel publications for the disabled traveler. Read the personal travel experiences of wheelchair users and others who have traveled with disabilities.

Be informed.

These travel tips, information, resources, and services for the disabled should help you, or anyone with a disability, handicap, physical limitation, or who uses a wheelchair, have an easier, more pleasant, anxiety-free, trouble-free trip, tour, holiday or vacation.

Helen Hecker R.N. is the author of 'Travel for the Disabled' and the 'Directory of Travel Agencies for the Disabled' and other books for travelers with disabilities. Get FREE weekly 'Travel Tips for the Disabled'at www.AllAboutDisabledTravel.com Also get FREE 'Disability News You Can Use'

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Helen_Hecker
http://EzineArticles.com/?14-Ways-to-Make-Traveling-with-a-Disability-Easier&id=427601

Wheelchair Accessible Vacation - New York Is a Great Destination

2013-07-21T22:15:00.001-06:00

By Scott Piedmonte

New York City is one of the best vacation / holiday destinations in the world for wheelchair users. The city is very wheelchair accessible and friendly.

Accessible wheelchair vans can be pre-arranged from the airports, or any other location, at the same rate as conventional vehicles. Taxi cabs in New York City are required by law to stop for wheelchair users and assist with putting their wheelchair in the trunk.

The vast majority of New York's hotels offer wheelchair accessible rooms. Elevators are the rule in the city, with few exceptions and no exceptions in buildings higher than five-stories.

Every public bus in New York is wheelchair accessible. The process of getting on and getting off the bus is quick and easy. Every driver is both trained and assists wheelchair users with getting on and off the bus. Each bus has a special area to accommodate and anchor wheelchairs during transit. New York' City's bus system is only 100% wheelchair accessible, but it is extensive and serves every area of the city.

Almost all of New York City's sidewalks are ramped at the street corners - very few are not. For the most part, the sidewalks are smooth and in excellent condition, especially in those areas frequented by visitors.

Quite a number of venues in New York, such as theaters, ballet, opera, etc., have special seating for wheelchair users. A number also offer discounts, and sometimes free admission, to the person accompanying the wheelchair user.

Electric scooters are sometimes a convenient alternative, when in New York City, to using a wheelchair. Scooter rentals are available from local vendors. They will deliver rented scooters to hotels and pick-up from the same. Often, the hotel bell staff will allow the scooter to stay and be charged in the luggage storage room. Sometimes it is easier to use a wheelchair around the hotel, plus it takes up less space in the room than a scooter. Here is one such electric scooter vendor in New York City: http://www.scootaround.com/rentals/n/newyork/.

New York City is a great destination for wheelchair users. New York provides one of the best, if not the best, wheelchair accessible vacation or holiday on planet Earth!

Scott Piedmonte is President of Family in New York, Inc. a provider of New York Tours and transportation. These include wheelchair accessible tours of New York City. For more information, visit the website today: http://www.familyinnewyork.com/wheelchair-tours.html.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Piedmonte
http://EzineArticles.com/?Wheelchair-Accessible-Vacation---New-York-Is-a-Great-Destination&id=5875463

How to Choose Wheelchair Lifts for Buses

2013-06-16T17:23:00.000-06:00

By Max Jon

The design of accessible public transport can differ greatly from the design of private vehicles for mobility challenged users. This is because public transport vehicles need to be able to carry passengers of all different abilities, from fully able passengers, to elderly passengers requiring a seat, blind passengers with guide dogs or alone, mothers with pram and wheelchair users. The wheelchair lifts fitted on buses therefore need to be compact and efficient to give all passengers enough room to feel comfortable.

While most public buses in use can easily accommodate a mobility challenged passenger, there are some public vehicles in use that have been optimised for seating multiple special needs passengers, with the addition of a cleverly designed wheelchair lift. These buses often feature an alternate entry point for mobility challenged users, allowing them an easy access and exit from the vehicle, ensuring that there is no congestion of passengers.

As an alternative to the traditional wheelchair lift, many accessible bus designs feature ramps to allow an even more free access to the vehicle. Ramp designs should allow the mobility challenged person to enter the bus completely without assistance, making the whole process faster and more dignified for the passenger. When choosing a wheelchair lift or ramp to retrofit to a bus, you should consider the companies with the most industrial experience to find the most advanced and well thought out designs.

You should also look out for mobility products that are certified as safe for public use and will comply with all legal and insurance obligations. The last thing you want is for your chosen wheelchair lift to break down suddenly while on the road or to put a passenger in an unsafe situation.

Long term warranties, five years or more, can also be useful in determining the quality of any vehicle adaptation. For large fleets of accessible buses it also makes sense to choose a large conversion company that will be able to provide consistent results and comprehensive repairs when needed.

When choosing a lift for a public vehicle such as a community bus, you should also consider what kind of route the bus will regularly take. If it is a city bus that only drives on well-built roads and picks up passengers at accessibility designed bus stops, a simple and low-cost ramp should be the only mobility accessory needed. For country buses and multi-purpose vehicles, however, mobility devices that can be used in all terrains are necessary.

This Article is submitted by Max Jon behalf of Capital Special Vehicles.CSV deals in vehicle conversions and wheelchair accessible vehicles. They are also known for installing wheelchair lifts and providing services for disabled cars.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Max_Jon
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Choose-Wheelchair-Lifts-for-Buses&id=7076380

10 Reasons Why Being an Independent Taxi Driver Makes Sense For An Entrepreneur

2013-05-25T12:50:00.000-06:00

10 Reasons Why Being an Independent Taxi Driver Makes Sense For An Entrepreneur

10 Reasons Why Being an Independent Taxi Driver Makes Sense For An Entrepreneur
By Ross Taylor

Here are the 10 reasons why I believe that being a humble Independent Taxi Driver is the best Real Job you could have if you wanted to run other Micro-businesses on the side.

1. Freedom to work where you want and when you want. You could go out at Midnight on a Monday night if you so wished. This is the Key Reason why Taxi Driving fits in so well with running other businesses. You can literally fit Taxi Driving into the gaps.

2. No Boss to worry about.

3. Your "tool" is your Car. This same car can be used for alternative business purposes when not in use. You may find that it is most worthwhile to pay someone else to drive the taxi when you are not available.

4. Taxi Driving is a cash business.

5. You get out and about in your community. This leads to further opportunities landing on your lap.

6. There are relatively low barriers to entry. Without being derogatory, it is easier to become a Taxi Driver than a Pharmacist.

7. Taxi Driving is relatively good paying. Do you know any ex-Taxi Drivers? Don't get me wrong Taxi Driving won't get you a 5 Bed Mansion on the 18th Green of a Golf Course but it will keep the Wolf from the door. A driver I know brings in �50k per year despite working nowhere near a 40hr week.

8. Taxis are not going out of fashion. Woolworths came and went but Taxis are here to stay. I would say that Car Ownership has probably levelled out in the UK. Taxis will always be needed for those without a car but can't take the bus for whatever reason.

9. Overheads could be low if managed correctly. I'm assuming that the overheads for an Independent Self Employed Taxi Driver would be: Cost of the Car, Cost of running the Car, Carrier Insurance, Licenses and Permits from the Council. Of all these I am assuming that Fuel would probably be the highest. There is an easy way round this - switch to LPG. At the moment there are nice Mercedes, BMWs and Range Rovers with LPG fitted available on eBay at very reasonable prices.

10. Taxi Driving can give you a high return per hour worked. Let's take a Saturday Night dealing with a normal Taxi queue in any British town. I'm assuming that a Taxi Driver could do 12 runs from Midnight to 3am in Stirling or Alloa (and these are relatively small towns). At an average of �10 per drop this would bring in the equivalent of �40 per hour.

Please visit http://www.1000moneymakers.blogspot.com for more ideas. 1000+ unique visitors a week cannot be wrong!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ross_Taylor
http://EzineArticles.com/?10-Reasons-Why-Being-an-Independent-Taxi-Driver-Makes-Sense-For-An-Entrepreneur&id=7480771

Transport Wheelchair | Mall Wheelchair Rental Enhances the Shopping Experience

2013-02-18T13:32:00.001-07:00

Author: Mike McCoy

Mall wheelchair rental is a growing industry. As malls themselves become ubiquitous, it has come to the attention of all and sundry that despite the endurance test such places can become at holiday times, that malls are not just places for physically fit teenagers to pass the time. In fact, increasingly fewer teens seem to use malls as a place to hang out. At the same time, the general population is aging and due to that and other factors, an increasing number of the people frequenting malls have mobility issues on one level or another. This has lead to mall wheelchair rental becoming a growth industry.

Improving the Ability to Get Around without Incurring High Costs

Unfortunately, while facilities genuinely want to provide transport to their customers, there are very high expenses involved with the most common form of transport chair used in shopping malls. The electric, self-propelled vehicles, which are almost more golf cart than wheelchair, are too expensive and too large for any store or mall to have too many in inventory. This is especially true considering the replacement cost if they are lost or damaged. These carts are also not for everyone. Not everyone who has trouble walking for long periods or distances is equally capable of steering a potentially unwieldy electric vehicle. If they are shopping with an attendant, there is a better solution. Which has the bonus features of being easy to care for and hard to steal.

A Rental Chair with Room for Lots of Purchases

The future of mall wheelchair rental is here. It has arrived in the form of a nestable chair with easy steering, auto locking brakes, numerous accessories and several security features. Nor should one discount the many color choices available. While matching a facility's décor is not a requirement, it certainly adds an extra touch the customers will remember! This nestable chair - the chairs can be stacked one against the other like shopping carts or luggage carriers - is not for every mall shopper. Due to low costs and even lower spatial usage, it is certainly an investment that will pay for itself. The chairs will hold up to 500 pounds and are incredibly sturdy, giving them a substantially longer lifespan than the nearest equivalent standard chair. Because they can be nested and secured with a locking coin-return mechanism, they can be displayed almost anywhere, with no worry about taking up valuable floor space. In addition to this, they can be outfitted with everything from oxygen tank holders to seatbelts and even umbrella stands, not to mention luggage racks that will hold a great many more shopping bags than anything out there will today. This feature alone will make an enormous difference in customer satisfaction, which is crucial in today's economy. Finally, for those hesitant to invest in something so mobile, the locking, coin-return stand is not the only theft resistant mechanism. For starters, when the handle is released, the brakes lock, which reduces accidents and liability, along with making it very difficult for the chair to roll out the door 'on its own.' And even if it does, this chair is not designed to be folded up and easily stowed in a vehicle, so it isn't worth the trouble to take. Especially considering the traceable serial number each one comes with.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/transport-wheelchair-mall-wheelchair-rental-enhances-the-shopping-experience-1769317.html

About the Author
STAXI is the world's leading nestable transport chair system and the number one wheelchair alternative for hospitals and airports. STAXI's are hard to steal, built to last, simple to use and easy to find. Contact at: info@staxi.com Go To http://www.Staxi.com

Patient Transportation Should Be the Least of a Hospital's Worries

2013-02-17T22:35:00.003-07:00

Author: Mike McCoy

Patient transportation is a necessity in any hospital or other institution. The clients have to be moved from one locale to another for everything from tests to surgeries to emergencies to discharge.

Unfortunately, due to the deficiencies in most extant wheelchairs, this process can wind up taking up far more time than it should, leading to irate staff, patients, families, etc., as well as raising costs through extra man-hours, not to mention equipment failure and theft.

The wheelchair itself is an incredible invention that has allowed for mobility and levels of independence for people who are physically incapacitated to some degree or another. As well as those who provide care and companionship to those who would never have had.

There was a time when para and quadriplegics were confined to beds, and maybe couches or porches if there was someone who could transport them that far. The wheelchair has enabled them to rejoin a world they never should have been removed from. At the same time, it's been a boon to the medical and other people moving services at the same time. Wheelchairs revolutionized patient transportation.
Unfortunately, along with all these benefits has come a mindset that if something works for one area, it should work for all. This has led to few changes in the chairs themselves.

Wheelchairs have gone forward in a straight line, moving from wood to metal in construction and incorporating better materials as well as controls that can be operated by the most mobility-impaired among us. However, no later movement has allowed for increased efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness in the areas where independent living was not the primary concern.

When a person with mobility issues is in a hospital, a chair geared for patient transportation will make far more sense than what would be used to facilitate independent moving. Even someone with more general health issues, this makes hiking down miles of corridors to the X-ray room MRI inadvisable.

There are numerous reasons for this, including the health and safety of both patient and staff. For example, a chair that can only be moved by the attendant, rather than the patient will avoid someone who should not be moving on her own from incurring injury thus costing her, her insurance, and the hospital both time and money.

A further advantage of wheelchairs built solely for institutional use is that they can be designed to take up less space. Why does this matter? If the wheelchairs take up less room, they can be placed in one centralized location without impacting day-to-day operations.

They will also allow for better and more rapid movement through halls and rooms. This is vital in emergent situations as well as reducing the amount of time a patient needs to spend being transported from bed to exam room and back again.

One of the biggest advantages in chairs designed specifically with patient transport in mind is in cost effectiveness. While the beginning cost may be higher, chairs that can be nested against one another saves time and space.

They work like shopping carts in that they are easily secured. However, they are not easily stolen unlike shopping carts. They will pay for themselves in short order, by not having to be replaced because they have wandered out the door under their 'own' steam.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/self-improvement-articles/patient-transportation-should-be-the-least-of-a-hospitals-worries-1393199.html

About the Author
STAXI is the world’s leading nestable transport chair system and the number one wheelchair alternative for hospitals and airports. STAXIs were designed for institutional use only. STAXI transport wheelchairs perform all of the same functions as other wheelchairs but without being lost, stolen, scattered or broken. For More Info, Go To www.Staxi.com

Chicago: Nissan NV200 is "Taxi of Tomorrow"

2013-02-15T05:19:00.000-07:00

Author: Neil Mahaney

The laundry list of complaints about taxis is seemingly endless. Air temperature, comfort and accessibility are only a few of the standard issues brought up by riders. New York City finally decided to change the way its citizens think about taxis by creating the Taxi of Tomorrow initiative, and Nissan will be there to guide them in every direction. Nissan Chicago drivers are excited that the east coast is finally picking up on what they have known all along.

About the NV200

The NV200 is a commercial style vehicle for businesses across America. It's built especially for those who need to be mobile in business and more than efficient.

Features

The NV comes in several different trims with loads of great options to cater to individual needs. Different models offer different amounts of storage space, ranging from 243.1 to 323.1 cubic feet. The increased space comes from the high-roof option. The standard engine on the NV is a 4-liter V6 261 horsepower to really get you moving from place to place. Chicago Nissan dealers especially like the 243° wide-opening rear cargo doors.

It's also the smaller details that average consumers might not think about that make the NV really great. Such features that Nissan Chicago consumers appreciate include 10 reinforced mounting points in ceiling for interior ladder rack installation, 36 integrated reinforced cargo area mounting points and 11 integrated reinforced cargo mounting points for bulkhead partition.

‘Taxi of Tomorrow' Initiative

Together, Carlos Tavares of Nissan Americas and Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York, held a briefing about the changes. New York has about 13,000 taxis that run an estimated 500 million miles annually. That's a lot of motion! So of course it's important to match consumer needs to the present fleet. The NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission decided that the NV would be the only taxi for NYC starting later in 2013.

The taxi will be an upgraded version of the current NV fit for passengers. Who better than to ask what kind of amenities are necessary than New Yorkers themselves? Taxi drivers and passengers asked for a range of things including:

More room in the cabin and trunk space for luggage
Sliding doors for easier entry and exit
Independent temperature control for passengers
Overhead reading and floor lights
Navigation systems

Chicago Nissan drivers are applauding the efforts of NYC and can't wait to see what's in store for them.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/chicago-nissan-nv200-is-taxi-of-tomorrow-5116347.html

About the Author

Neil Mahaney is a blogger and auto enthusiast who writes about the latest industry trends. His article features information on your local Chicago Nissan dealer. Anyone looking for a trusty Nissan, Chicago located, will also benefit from a lot of Neil's passionate coverage of the latest new and used car dealer news.

Cargo Equipment Corp Enters 51st Year of Operation with New Products, Same Commitment to Safety

2013-02-07T20:24:00.000-07:00

How you can Turn into an Assisted Living Entrepreneur

2013-02-06T05:35:00.002-07:00

Author: John Galang

Why an Assisted Residing Facility is often a Timely Enterprise

Assisted living amenities, a balanced, protected and independent life-style for its residents, offer a mixture of housing, customized supportive solutions, transportation, foods, housekeeping, 24 hour supervision, and overall health treatment created to fulfill the wants of people who demand help together with the routines of day-to-day dwelling. Within the present financial crisis, healthcare organizations have emerged as just one in the world-wide best trusted business enterprise opportunities. Therefore, possessing an assisted residing facility is actually a very good practical organization possibility in addition like a chance to aid other folks in require. This article will explore why it is just a timely and fiscally effective organization, the population it serves, funding sources for citizens, proprietors and kinds of assisted living.

A Timely and Economic Effective Business enterprise

Now, much more than a single million Americans stay in an approximated 20,000 assisted living residences. The Assisted Dwelling Sector at this time, in most cases, caters for the top affluent 10of the senior population of the land. This field has expanded speedily from 1990 right up until 1997; then, overbuilding occurred from the discipline in 2002 and yet again in 2005. In 2007 the industry started off to increase all over again and in 2008 the subject has expanded by person business people with smaller services that are while in the 15-50 device array. Niche, amenities still thrive and grow. An additional want which may make an assisted dwelling facility a timely and helpful organization is definitely the ageing Little one Boomer population. The average Toddler Boomer is 65 decades outdated at this time. According to the us Census Bureau report, We The people today: Ageing In the united states - a distinctive Census 2000 report authored by Yvonne J. Gist and Lisa I. Hetzel, 'In 2000, the 65-and-older population comprised 35.0 million individuals. Inside this team, eighteen.five million persons or 53 percent had been aged 65 to 74, 12.three million or 35 ended up aged seventy five to 84, and 4.2 million or 12 were aged 85 and around. Ladies outnumbered guys in such a team: 20.six million girls in comparison with 14.4 million men. The age groups 65 to 74 years and 85 and more mature each had practically 2 million extra women of all ages than guys, as well as the 75-to-84 age group had just about 3 Million more.'

More, as outlined by the us Census bureau the overall population of individuals 65 ages and more mature in 2007 make up twelve.6in the total US population. With Florida, West Virginia and Pennsylvania earning the top 3 states in which these citizens reside. The Newborn Boomers, who will not totally affect the assisted living current market until finally 2010, are starting up to enter the assisted dwelling marketplace. The senior citizens' market place has expanded over and above any earlier expertise in American or entire world record as a result of the Child Boomer phenomena. These persons, whose unprecedented many figures will now turn into senior citizens, and because of your modern day professional medical community's efforts, and our population usually dwelling a healthier life style, a senior citizen marketplace that we now have not ready for nor predicted is acquiring. Hence, it is a beneficial company possibility to very own an assisted living facility due to the shear statistics of the developing older population, advancements in health-related engineering bringing about folks dwelling lengthier and also the federal and state governments searching to cut back expenses making use of assisted dwelling services and adult day treatment centers like a continuum of look after the elderly.

The Population an Assisted Dwelling Facility Serves

The typical assisted residing resident may possibly be younger or elderly, affluent or very low revenue, frail or disabled. A normal resident is actually a female in her eighties and is particularly either widowed or simple. Citizens may possibly experience Alzheimer's sickness or any other memory issues. Residents may well also will need assistance with incontinence or mobility. Assisted residing households usually are not for people today who have to have continuous professional nursing care. As we gaze in the long run to arrange for that Baby Boomers, some marketplace insiders agree that it can be difficult to anticipate what this new age team will look like, although other people are advising providers to organize for an onslaught of demands for comfort, luxurious and place. This recent team will have a significant discretionary paying out capacity. They have more money to invest on travel, automobiles, home equipment and toys than any person else. Also, the long-term care trade will have residents who have been presidents, CEO's, CFO's and vice presidents of big firms, comprehensive laptop awareness, fiscal independence all of that may direct into a higher-acuity of treatment. Services growth, innovative facility layout, item design, customized social and memory treatment routines and superior performing care services might be items to contemplate despite the size of the facility.

These services will supply services which include meals, housekeeping services, transportation, health marketing and exercise courses, personalized laundry expert services, social and recreational attractions, on-site salon, memory treatment or dementia companies. Additionally, these amenities may gives you access to wellness and medical solutions including crisis contact devices, bathing, dressing, treatment management and required support with eating, walking and toileting. A few of these expert services are not usually compensated for by overall health insurance policy or the Medicare or Medicaid courses. Not all residents of facilities need significant care or guidance. A lot of are there mainly because they want a easier life style without the worry of keeping a home plus they find the companionship of others their very own age. Additionally they might will need some minor support for instance using prescription medication or they need a protected ecosystem or they might need some supervision

Costs and Funding

Resident Funding: Expenditures will change based within the degree of care and products and services supplied. Assisted residing care may be paid for by a long-term treatment insurance coverage policy, but most individuals pay out the price their selves, that is called the phrase, personal fork out. You'll find nonetheless additional assumptions than well-known info about the place the money to pay for assisted residing comes from. A latest review done by the National Financial commitment Center for the Seniors Housing and Treatment Sectors, reports that over a 3rd of residents get some outdoors assistance, in the type of Supplemental Stability Earnings (8.9, Medicaid coverage (7.2, payments from non-public insurance (3.2, state guidance (2.8, Veterans Administration dietary supplements(.5, or payments from Social Security, Medicare, Prisoner of War gains, worker's compensation, state support, pensions, as well as navy. Meanwhile, federal, county and state aid programs are shifting far more Medicaid money from home well-being and competent nursing to assisted residing. Additionally, the survey suggests that residents obtaining fiscal help have extended lengths of continue to be than private-pay residents, and that citizens getting state support stay the longest, on typical 4.13 many years.

Company Funding: There is certainly a range of funding available for men and women starting an assisted living facility.

1. HUD (Housing and Urban Enhancement)

2. USDA (U.s. office of Agriculture) for amenities in rural areas.

3. SBA (America Modest Organization Administration)

4. OWBO (The Business office of Women's Business enterprise Possession)

5. Non-Profit Organizations including The Robert Wooden Johnson Basis

6. Neighborhood Block Grants

Amenities Differ in Measurement and Nomenclature

Although assisted residing will be the most commonly encountered expression made use of while in the nation each by market and state regulatory companies, assisted living options might be identified by diverse names, which includes, although not restricted to, residential care, personalized care, grownup congregate care, boarding households, grownup congregate dwelling, group based mostly retirement amenities, retirement residences and domiciliary care. The main difference in licensing is generally based on dimensions with the facility or even the providers they provide.

Residential or board and treatment is frequently a transformed household or small facility with six to ten beds where the caregiver is really a homeowner or simple proprietor with minor or no aid personnel. These services ordinarily usually are not permitted to offer a lot care further than bathing, dressing, providing meals or serving to citizens transfer around. A number of these households on the other hand, may deal with property well-being organizations, household browsing health professionals or nurses to deliver look after their residents.

Newer services glance extra like apartment properties with personal rooms or suites with locked doors. Rather than a nurse's desk, there is a help desk. And in place of a hospital-like lounge space and sterile cafeteria, assisted dwelling has gathering parts with couches, fireplaces, gardens, atriums, and many others. Central eating parts look far more like banquet rooms and frequently supply amusement throughout or soon after meal moments. Meaningful activities and chats with neighbors in pleasant environment, hold citizens productive and stimulated.

Far more and even more assisted residing facilities specialize in the care of Alzheimer's patients or people today with memory care troubles. An Alzheimer's affected person typically is not going to demand quite a bit of medical awareness but generally involves supervision, confinement, fairly relaxed environment, gardens with pathways, and locked entrance doorways to stop residents from wandering.

In conclusion, the assisted residing organization is continuing to develop and expand solutions to a escalating population which consequently lend by itself into a vertical marketplace with optimistic opportunity and advancement for any enterprise venture.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/elderly-care-articles/how-you-can-turn-into-an-assisted-living-entrepreneur-5651957.html

Pantonium for Paratransit & NEMT

2013-02-05T19:43:00.000-07:00

The Benefits of Green Alternative Systems for CNG Conversions

2013-02-03T10:07:00.000-07:00

Author: Seo5 Consulting

The Benefits of Green Alternative Systems for CNG Conversions

The prospect of having a CNG conversion performed on a vehicle is very enticing, as a new fueling system has been proven to provide safety, reduce costs and increase the lifespan of the vehicle. Many companies are drawn to CNG conversions because this alternative fueling option significantly reduces company costs and adheres to the demand for greener business practices. Additionally any enterprises in the United States are provided with refunds and rebates through the government and supporting programs.

Before hiring a company to install a new fueling system there are a few key points that should be considered to determine the best technicians for the job:

Superior Conversion Systems

The first thing to look at when determining the ideal company to install the conversion system is the quality of the actual product. CNG conversions that use BAF Technologies or BAYTECH engine systems that are CARB and EPA certified ensure a well-made, safe and reliable conversion system. Each installed upfit kit should be certified by C.A.R.B. to insure it\'s compliance for emissions, warranty, and durability.

The conversion company should be staffed with CSA American certified inspectors. This ensures the experience, professionalism and reliability of inspections.

Altoona Tested

A conversion company that can provide a Ford E-450 Compressed Natural Gas [CNG] conversion that has completed the 7 Year, 200,000 mile Altoona Bus test with ZERO unscheduled maintenance and the Altoona Life Cycle Test completed with zero failures to the CNG Fuel System and its related components, is a qualified company to handle conversions.

The Altoona test is a government funded program to ensure the safety of bus fleets. Testing is performed by the Vehicle Systems and Safety Program staff at the Altoona Bus Research and Testing Center in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The testing fees are subsidized by federal funding. The center currently handles up to eight buses at one time. During the course of testing, most maintenance and repairs are performed by the center\'s staff. The successful completion of these tests ensures a well designed, high quality conversion system.

Certified and Trained Team

The team that is working on the vehicles is of utmost importance. Any team that is converting fueling systems should be certified by leading industry organizations such as Swagelok, CSA America, BAF Technologies, and NGVI. The technicians on staff should be trained throughout the year. This provides customers with a reliable, highly skilled alternative fuel systems service.

Any conversion company that is being considered should be friendly, helpful and knowledgeable, providing answers and information as it is required. A company that can combine high quality conversion systems, with Altoona tested vehicles that have their conversion systems installed, and a highly skilled and trained team will ensure the success of the conversion. The new system will drastically improve business operations, saving costs, repairs and achieving positive results for the environment.

GAS for CNG Conversion Systems

Green Alternative Systems provides alternative fueling options and high quality conversion systems. To find out more visit, Greenalternativesystems.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/management-articles/the-benefits-of-green-alternative-systems-for-cng-conversions-5505760.html

About the Author
Green Alternative Systems provides alternative fueling options and high quality conversion systems. To find out more visit, www.greenalternativesystems.com.