Pacific Mobility Center

Stairlifts - Lifts - Mobility Products

Jeff Conner

Exploring mobility solutions for those with physical disabilities

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Technology has become such a large part of the puzzle when it comes to modern mobility solutions for those with physical disabilities, including vehicle enhancements, stairlifts, patient lifts, ramps, and much more.

Technology has changed the way that those with limitations navigate the world around them, benefiting young and old alike with innovative mobility solutions to cope with physical disabilities. It is no longer necessary to feel restrained by the traditional options and products that you find in a local medical supply store. Pacific Mobility Center offers access options that can quite literally change your life. There are a world of devices and mobility solutions waiting for you!

Some mobility solutions to explore would include the following:

Stair-lifts

Preserve autonomy and maintain independence in your own home with a stair-lift. If your stairs are curved or straight, inside or out, there is a stair-lift that can be customized to your situation. If you rent or don’t live in your own home, did you know that you can rent stair-lifts to be installed at your residence? Falls are the number one cause of injury among seniors; don’t risk a debilitating accident going up and down stairs. Consider portable lifts for workplaces or offices, and when your living situation is not permanent.

Lift chairs

Don’t struggle or strain trying to get up and out of your seat; investment in a lift chair can prevent accidents and curb discomfort. Contemporary lift chairs don’t look like medical equipment; instead, they fit cohesively in with the rest of your furnishings stylishly. Today’s buyers aren’t restricted by size, color, or style of lift chairs available; there is a wide selection of affordably-priced chairs to choose from.

Ramps

If you utilize mobility devices regularly, you will want to make sure that you have safe, stable ramps to allow for optimal access around the home. Depending on the layout of your home, consider these types of ramps to solve any mobility issues in-or-out of your home or business:

  • Threshold ramps. Door-threshold ramps are usually found in aluminum or rubber, and can be easily installed to the doorways and thresholds for a gentle slope that is wheelchair-accessible.
  • Aluminum exterior ramps. Make sure to have aluminum railings for added security. These are a more permanent solution for when you are choosing to increase overall access to your home or business as many aluminum ramps last for a lifetime.
  • Folding ramps. Folding ramps offer a portable solution that can easily be used in multiple spots or on-the-go. These typically come in a two or three-fold style that is lightweight enough to be carried, stowed, and transported.

 Technology and mobility solutions

In today’s computer age, naturally mobility technology has evolved with some high-tech devices to aid consumers with physical limitations or disabilities. These fall into three distinct areas:

Transportation: High-tech developments in transportation includes vehicles, lifts, and wheelchairs that go above and beyond to help individuals get where they are going. Our service technicians can transform your vehicle to fit your mobility needs allowing safe and easy entrance and exit. The addition of a vehicle lift makes loading and unloading power scooters and wheelchairs easy for anyone.

Environmental control encompass everything from lights, thermostats, phones, doors, and any other element of the individual’s home or workspace. Some high-tech devices include voice-activated light dimmers, or controls on the consumer’s wheelchair that assist with opening doors on command.

Computer access devices encompass tools, devices, and programs that help users access and utilize computer technology at home or on-the-job.

Pool Lifts

Safely enjoy your leisure time and get in a little exercise with poolside lifts that gently allow you to enter and exit the pool. A through assessment of the pool environment allows Pacific Mobility Center to install a pool lift optimized just for you.

 

Today’s mobility solutions look promising, and offer many individuals with physical limitations an increase in access, opportunity, and autonomy. Contact Pacific Mobility Center to find mobility solutions that fit your needs, and talk with our experts to ascertain the best solutions for your individual needs. We’re here to help!

 

 

Technological Innovations in Accessibility

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A disability is any physical, sensory, or cognitive impairment that makes daily activities more difficult. Many people are born with a disability. Others acquire a disability later in life, from an accident, an illness, or the aging process. Many older individuals are diagnosed with chronic conditions that lead to functional or cognitive disabilities. Pacific Mobility Center specializes in products that give those with disabilities freedom and independence.

Over a billion people globally have some form of disability: 360 million people worldwide have moderate to profound hearing loss; 285 million people are visually impaired (39 million of whom are blind) and 75 million people need a wheelchair (of which, only 5-15 percent actually have access to one).

In recent decades, new and innovative technologies have helped lower the barriers that people with disabilities encounter in their daily lives, helping them with tasks that able-bodied people take more or less for granted, such as speaking, travelling, reading, and writing. These new technologies can be classified as assistive, adaptive, or accessible.

Assistive technology

Assistive technology is technology designed specifically to improve a disabled person’s functional capabilities, and includes a wide range of devices and services, including IT-enabled prosthetics and implants, custom computer interfaces, and accessible communication tools. Adaptive technology provides a mechanism that allows people with disabilities to use technology that would otherwise be inaccessible to them. Text-to-speech technology, for example, helps users with vision impairments to be able to “read” materials that are written. Computer screen readers and screen magnifiers help make computer output accessible for visually impaired users. Accessible technology helps remove barriers and make the world more accessible for people with disabilities. Speech recognition software, for example, has many uses such as dictation or automated telephone systems; however, the technology can also provide independence for quadriplegics by allowing them to control a computer with their voice. Consumer Electronics Shows annually feature these types of products.

While there remains a long way to go before all new technologies are made accessible to people with disabilities, in recent years there has been a great deal of progress. Mainstream technologies are becoming increasingly adaptable, and specialist technologies have, in many cases. become increasingly affordable.

Some examples of innovative new products that further help disabled people function more easily, while acquiring more independence, include:

• Dot: the world’s first Braille smartwatch
• Talkitt: an innovative application that translates unintelligible pronunciation into understandable speech
• The Sesame Phone: designed to be used with small head movements, tracked by its front-facing camera
• Uni: a tool that detects hand and finger gestures that it converts into text
• The Finger Reader: a wearable tool that can scan a text and give real-time audio feedback of the words it detects
• Be My Eyes: an application that connects blind people with volunteers from around the world who can help with simple tasks
• AXS map: an app that carries information about wheelchair-accessible ramps and restrooms in public places
• Transcence: an app that converts spoken words into text in real time for group messaging
• Liftware: a self-stabilizing handle on which one can attach an eating utensil like a fork or spoon for patients who suffer from Parkinson’s disease or other forms of motion disorders that causes hand tremors.

Some other new and/or emerging technologies include:

• Driverless cars
• Smart glasses that include facial recognition software which interprets facial expressions and tells the wearer how the person in front of them is feeling. This could be particularly useful for people Asperger’s Syndrome, for instance, who struggle to interpret facial expressions unassisted
• Prosthetic limbs that allow wearers to “feel” touched objects, while offering better control and efficiency
• All terrain wheelchairs, capable of scaling uneven surfaces
• Smart belts that can detect when a person is falling in order to deploy air cushions prior to impact
• Medical exoskeletons which can be used to assist people who have trouble walking
• Smart canes that can alert a user’s relative is there is any unusual use or movements of the cane

Contact Pacific Mobility Center with any questions about how you and/or your loved ones can benefit from the best accessibility products available today: Stairlifts, Residential Porch Lifts, Vehicle Lifts, Ceiling Lifts, Shower Buddy, Electric Door Opener, Ramps, Scooters, Lift Chairs, Wheel Chairs, Power Electric Wheel Chairs, Walkers, Turning Automotive Seats, Automotive Hand Controls, Pool Lifts and Other Aids to Daily Living.

Enjoying San Diego’s Regional Attractions in a Scooter or Powerchair

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**Click here for a coupon from Pacific Mobility Center!**

While Southern California’s climate makes year-round tourism easy for visitors, the challenges faced by those with disabilities are not often address in the travel forums. Whether you are a local of Los Angeles, Orange County, the Inland Empire, or even of San Diego, the list of wondrous places to visit in this city are well worth the time to figure out the accessibility options.

If you’ve already purchased your electric scooter, powerchair or other high-quality equipment at Pacific Mobility Center of San Marcos or Huntington Beach, then you are well on your way to the freedom to explore the sights!

We recommend these fabulous resources for visiting San Diego with disabled access and venue services from the San Diego Tourism Authority:

-No matter the time of year, a trip to San Diego isn’t complete without time spent at the beach. To make sure that all San Diego visitors can enjoy the sand and water, free beach wheelchairs are available at seven San Diego beaches for children and adults with special needs or disabilities.

-Looking for a special night out? San Diego abounds with award-winning theatre and concert options that meet the needs of theatre visitors with disabilities.

-Enjoy seeing the San Diego sights as narrated by a local expert. Accessible San Diego sightseeing tours happen on land or water, via a bus, boat or old-fashioned trolley.

–Disabled shopping enthusiasts can spend hours exploring San Diego’s unique retail districts, whether checking out the major outdoor malls or the unrivaled bargains at the region’s popular outlet centers.

-Don’t miss two of San Diego’s most popular annual events, the Del Mar Racing Season from mid-July through early September or the Comic-con Convention in July. Both provide special services for disabled visitors.

Additional SDTA Travel Tips
-Call ahead. Service providers are required to accommodate travelers with special needs, however, most need some time to make the necessary arrangements. Mention your needs at the time of reservation, and call the provider 24 to 48 hours before your arrival to confirm that proper accommodations have been made.

-Be specific and clear when describing a disability. Not all service providers know the “lingo” of accessible travel, or the medical terms for certain conditions. Give as many details as you can about what you can and can’t do, and don’t downplay the severity of the disability. The more information a service provider has, the better they will be able to accommodate you.

-Take a doctor’s note and phone number. Travel with a statement from your doctor, preferably on letterhead, covering your condition, medications, potential complications, special needs and other pertinent information. Be sure you have a number where your doctor (or another medical professional) can be reached in an emergency situation at any hour of the day.


Your enjoyment of travel in the San Diego region should not be limited by mobility challenges! Pacific Mobility Center is a family-owned company with extensive experience and modern options for independence. Contact me for your chance to tour this beautiful Southern California area!

Uber, Lyft and other Rideshare Companies Offering Transportation Services to People with Physical Challenges.

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Over the past several years, Transportation Networking Companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft have begun offering new transportation options. These companies use internet-based technology – typically a smart phone app – to link individuals who sell private transportation (drivers) with those who need transportation (customers). For many of these customers, especially the able-bodied, these services are both more convenient and less expensive.

However, for the more than 55 million Americans with disabilities, getting around has never been easy, and at the advent of the TNCs, there were few options for them to take advantage of. In fact, it has only been fairly recently that Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies have begun to offer transportation services to people with physical challenges – mostly because they have been sued by disability advocates in several states for violating the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and failing to make their cars handicapped accessible, or providing reasonable accommodations for riders who use wheelchairs or are accompanied by service animals.

As a result of these law suits, and in some cases, new legislation that regulate ride-hailing firms, most TNCs have been working to make their companies more accessible. For example, Uber now offers uberASSIST in many cities, an uberX option that is designed to provide additional assistance to seniors and people with disabilities. Driver-partners are specifically trained by a third party organization to assist riders into vehicles and can accommodate folding wheelchairs, walkers, and scooters. Passengers requiring such services simply enter the code “assist” into the promotions section of the app. They can then call the driver once the ride is booked to let them know about special requirements. For more specific assistance, Uber has a service called UberWAV, which connects riders with vehicles equipped with ramps or lifts. Uber also implemented features to help blind and low-vision customers, like their VoiceOver feature, now available in over 300 cities around the world.

It is Lyft’s policy that passengers that use wheelchairs that can safely and securely fit in the trunk of the vehicle or backseat of the car without obstructing the view of the driver should be reasonably accommodated by drivers on the Lyft platform, and drivers should make every reasonable effort to transport the passenger and his or her wheelchair. Lyft says it is also willing to accommodate service animals. But it recommends that passengers who need them call the driver in advance and let them know–and has a hotline for drivers to call if they have a “medically documented reason” that would prevent them from taking the animal.

As the TNCs work with leaders in the disability community to expand the range of their services, they continue to become more accessible for people with physical challenges. With more ridesharing options available, millions more Americans can now get to work on their own, visit friends, or enjoy an evening out. This helps fulfill the promise of the ADA by creating a more equal America.

Innovation in Wheelchair Design

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The earliest records of wheeled furniture are an inscription found on a stone slate in China and a child’s bed depicted in a frieze on a Greek vase, both dating to the 5th century BC. The first records of wheeled seats being used for transporting disabled people date to three centuries later in China. The invalid carriage or Bath Chair brought the technology into more common use from around 1760. In 1887, wheelchairs (“rolling chairs”) were introduced in Atlantic City so invalid tourists could rent them to enjoy the Boardwalk.

In 1933 Harry Jennings and his disabled friend, Herbert Everest, both mechanical engineers, invented the first lightweight, steel, collapsible wheelchair. Everest and Jennings saw the business potential of the invention and went on to become the first mass-market manufacturers of wheelchairs. Their “x-brace” design is still in common use, albeit with updated materials and other improvements.

Wheelchairs at Pacific Mobility

Today, there are a wide variety of types of wheelchair, differing by propulsion method, mechanisms of control, and technology used. Some wheelchairs are designed for general everyday use, others for single activities, or to address specific access needs. Lately, wheelchairs have morphed more into ‘personal mobility vehicles’ for disabled people who want to do more in their lives or have particular mobility challenges.

Here are some of the latest, innovative wheelchair designs whose purpose is to take personal mobility for the disabled to the next level:

• The PUMA (Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility) applies the same technology as the famous segway personal transportation vehicle, which requires the rider to stand. Two self-balancing electric motor wheels, as well as a specialized gyroscope, keep everything steady. The PUMA is powered by lithium batteries and can cover up to 35 miles on one charge.
• The CARRIER wheelchair was specially designed to achieve maximum user independence and to travel over all types of terrains, including stairs. Another advantage is that the design allows users to go to the toilet without getting off the chair, thus saving them the trouble of having to lift themselves off to move to the toilet and back each time.
• The WISB hand-bike is a concept developed as a cross between a wheelchair and a sports bike, giving the users the option of choosing between an indoor ‘low’ mode and an outdoors ‘high’ mode for longer distances.
• Japanese designer Mauricio Maeda’s wheelchair includes a computer case under the seat, a joystick for movement, a track ball, keyboard, monitor, speakers, wireless headset, a webcam, a drink holder, a stereo sound device behind the seat, a power source on back, and a remote control.
• The MOUNTAIN TRIKE is an all terrain wheelchair that allows users to venture out into the countryside.
• The ROTA mobility chair is actuality a human-powered scooter that can be moved (or ‘rowed’) by using a central lever.
• The TANK CHAIR is a specialized wheelchair for all terrains. It can cross streams, and drive on sand, snow, or mud.
• The TANDEM is perhaps the only wheelchair that was designed to give someone else a ride.This design aims to remove the stigma of a wheelchair user as someone who requires help, and instead gives the user the power of being the one giving the help.
• The CURSUM STROLLER for wheelchair users allows handicapped parents to still take their baby out for strolls.

In addition, there are some new concept, robotic wheelchairs now being developed by teams of students and researchers. They include:

• A solar-powered wheelchair that has a retractable roof with solar panels embedded on top of it has been designed by students from University of Virginia’s School of Engineering and Applied Science.
• A team led by Shuro Nakajima at the Chiba Institute of Technology has created a robotic wheelchair that can climb up or descend down the stairs, and make 360 turns for ultra-mobility in tight spaces.
• Researchers at the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne have developed a brain-controlled, robotic wheelchair that uses shared control to navigate. The rider’s brain signals are translated into commands and this moves the wheelchair in the desired direction without even moving the hands.
• Engineers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed an assistive technology called the Tongue Drive system. It requires the implanting of small magnets, the size of a rice grain, into the rider’s tongue. The movement of the tongue is detected by an array of magnetic field sensors mounted on a headset outside the mouth or on an orthodontic brace inside the mouth, which then directs the chair’s movements.

Wheelchair design continues to evolve, making life easier and more enjoyable for wheelchair users. At Pacific Mobility, we can give you all of the specifics and help you decide if a new wheelchair is right for you. Call us, today, or visit us, for a free consultation.

Automatic Door Openers

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When it comes to wheel chair accessibility, something as simple as operating a door can prove to be an obstacle. Automatic door opener systems can provide independent wheelchair access for homes and public places. Indeed, for anyone with limited mobility, due to age or physical disability, an automatic door opener can make life a lot more manageable.

Away from home, automatic doors allow businesses to welcome everyone entering and exiting, regardless of their physical capabilities. Also, the Americans with Disabilities Act mandated that public places install automatic doors in order to provide access to those with mobility challenges.

The main difference between a commercial handicap door opener and a residential automatic door opener is size and functionality. A personal use opener is usually smaller and lighter in construction; automatic door openers in public applications need to stand up to a lot more use and are designed to be a lot more durable. In both applications, however, these openers are either installed on the door itself or on the jamb above the door.

When correctly installed in the home, a residential door opener turns most swinging doors into an automatic door that can be controlled by the push of a button on a wall switch, a coded key pad, or a hand held transmitter similar to a garage door remote control unit. In addition, automatic door opener devices can be customized to meet specific needs.

For example, the actuator, or on-off switch, can be installed in a variety of places for easy access. Automatic door openers allow adjustable hold-open time, and usually come with an auto-close feature. Neither the door nor the door jamb needs to be modified in order to install an automatic door opener, and they will fit in most rooms, regardless of the type and size of the room or door.

The main drawback of an automatic door is that, because it runs on electricity, if the power goes out, or if the batteries on the remote switch wear down, the automatic door becomes a manual door, again. Also, some openers require set-up which involves working with electrical wires, so a professional may need to be hired for their installation. However, these slight disadvantages are easy to address.

The good news is that automatic door openers are a great tool for creating a more independent lifestyle. For more information and expert advice, contact the pros at Pacific Mobility. We are here to assist you in the purchase, installation, and maintenance of your automatic door opener.

Should Building Homes for “Aging in Place” Become a Priority for Builders?

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In the coming decades, increasing life expectancy, a declining birth rate, and the aging of the baby boom generation will dramatically increase the number and proportion of the U.S. population over the age of 65.

Most seniors indicate that they would prefer to age in place – either staying in their current home or choosing from a range of affordable, age-appropriate housing options within their community. To make these options viable, builders will increasingly have to build and adapt homes and communities to meet the changing needs of aging residents.

With this growing cohort dominating the country’s wealth, designing homes for the over-50 buyer will become more important than ever and could drive housing trends for the years to come. And, in addition to the demands of the marketplace, a combination of public policies, and public and private strategic initiatives, is seeking to meet the health and housing needs of the rising senior population with explicit support for the aging in place concept.

For example, the U.S.Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly program provides capital advances to finance the construction, rehabilitation, or acquisition of structures that will serve as supportive housing for very low-income elderly persons, including the frail elderly, and provides rent subsidies for the projects to help make them affordable.Similarly, Section 231 of the National Housing Act allows HUD to insure mortgage loans for construction or rehabilitation of rental housing for elderly and disabled renters.

To promote the adoption of accessible design principles in the private market, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) created a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist program that trains and certifies housing professionals in aging-friendly design, and the Andrus Gerontology Center at the University of Southern California offers an Executive Certificate in Home Modification.

Already, builders are beginning to construct homes that incorporate features for aging adults, including:

• A side-door entrance with no steps to offer an accessible entrance without a ramp or lift in front.
• Sinks and vanity cabinets that are positioned at 36- and 32-inch heights, with sink cabinet doors and thresholds which can be removed to provide wheelchair access.
• A toilet that is set in a larger space for wheelchair access.
• A barrier-free shower with grab bars and a seat for better safety.
• A first-floor bedroom which provides the option for one-level living and can also act as a home office or other space if not needed as a bedroom.
• Hard-surface flooring to provide easier mobility for anyone using a wheelchair or assistive device.
• A peninsula counter-top in the kitchen that is set 30 inches high to offer both a sitting area for light meals as well as a lowered work surface where a cook or helper can sit instead of stand.
• Storage for everyday items at reachable heights with several easy-access drawers with cabinet pulls, which are easier to grip than smaller cabinet knobs.
• A roomy garage to provide enough space for easily getting into and out of a vehicle.
• Staircases that have handrails, ideally one on each side.
• Motion sensors that provide hands-free lighting.
• For those who can afford it, an elevator built into first- and second-floor closets.

Whether these modifications are accomplished through retrofitting older homes or designing accessible new homes, aging-friendly modifications can adapt to people’s changing needs, allowing them to age in their homes more successfully. And smart builders will make building homes for aging in place, a priority.

Inspirational People With Disabilities

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You don’t need to be a celebrity to benefit from the highest-quality products for home care, mobility and accessibility! While famous people with disabilities can often afford custom-fabricated equipment, the staff at Pacific Mobility, Inc. provides the customized solutions and attention-to-detail that customers deserve. We often look to the stories of well-known personalities to better understand the challenges that face our clients. A great resource for staying connected are the social media profiles of celebrities with disabilities. Learning about the ways they have overcome their disabilities can be motivating to those who people with physical limitations themselves. Here are seven physically-challenged people well worth following online:

Professor Stephen William Hawking, CH, CBE, FRS, FRSA, at the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge..Photograph © Jason Bye.t: 07966 173 930.e: mail@jasonbye.com.w: http://www.jasonbye.com.
Professor Stephen William Hawking, CH, CBE, FRS, FRSA, at the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge..Photograph © Jason Bye.t: 07966 173 930.e: mail@jasonbye.com.w: http://www.jasonbye.com.

Stephen Hawking is an internationally renowned physicist. He has lived with MND (Motor Neuron Disease) for more than 40 years. Doctors told him he wouldn’t live two years beyond the age of 21 when he was diagnosed with ALS, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He is unable to talk, breathe easy, walk and hold up his head in an upright position.

Sue Austin is a British artist who has been using a wheelchair for two decades due to an extended illness. Doctors informed her of her limitations but she pushed forward and now inspires people around the world as she scuba dives with her innovative underwater wheelchair creating beautiful visual art.

Nick Vujicic is a best-selling author and well-known motivational speaker. He has tetra-amelia syndrome, which means he was born with no limbs.

Santina Muha is an actress, writer, host, public speaker, comic, and media consultant. She was involved in a car accident at the age of five that left her paralyzed.

John Hockenberry is a Peabody and Emmy Award winning journalist and author. He has been using a wheelchair since age 19, when he suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident.

Tatyana McFadden is a Russian-born United States Paralympian athlete that competes in the T54 category. She has attended multiple Summer Paralympic Games and has won 10 medals.

Itzhak Perlman is a Israeli-American violinist and conductor. His legs were paralyzed permanently when he was four years old due to polio.

Not only are we certified by the top industry organizations, we have also been recognized as one of the best in San Diego and Orange counties for uniquely personal service! Read our ratings and reviews to learn more about how well we treat our clients!