Important Days for People with Disabilities

Whether you are someone who has a disability or considers yourself an advocate for people with disabilities, there are some important days each year that you should know about. These days promote and celebrate individuals with disabilities. Participating in and spreading awareness about these days are ways that you can advocate for the disability community. There are more days than the ones we are highlighting below, but these are a good start.

Global Accessibility Awareness Day

Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) comes annually on the third Thursday of May. GAAD focuses on making those who create electronic and information technology (websites, software, mobile apps, online documents, etc.) aware of the importance of making accessible and inclusive technology for users with a variety of disabilities. Goals include promoting and striving towards digital access and inclusion for all. On this day, you can find virtual and in-person events that show how people with disabilities use the web and digital products while using assistive technologies. To learn more about this day, you can visit globalaccessibilityawarenessday.org.

Anniversary of the Supreme Court Olmstead Decision

June 22 is a pivotal day in history for individuals with disabilities. On that day in 1999, the Supreme Court decided that under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), people with disabilities cannot be unnecessarily segregated and must receive services in the most integrated setting possible. This milestone came from the ruling of the Olmstead v. L.C. case where Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson were unlawfully confined in the institution where they had been receiving treatment. The two women had concluded their treatment years before but were not moved to the community-based program as they should have been. Every year, the anniversary of the Supreme Court Olmstead Decision is celebrated on June 22^nd.

Disability Pride Month

We celebrate Disability Pride Month annually in July. Throughout the month, people around the United States promote visibility and awareness of the positive pride felt by people with disabilities. Some big cities hold parades and festivals to uplift those with disabilities and challenge the thoughts and perceptions of others. This time is all about celebrating who you are, disability culture and sharing your unique experiences. Even if you can’t attend a parade, you can share your story with others and debunk the myths and stereotypes of individuals with disabilities.

ADA Anniversary

A huge milestone, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) changed the lives of individuals with disabilities in the United States. It was signed into law on July 26^,, 1990. This civil rights law prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public spaces and ensures that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. Although many people agree that there is still a long way to go when it comes to accessibility and inclusion, they also agree that it’s important to celebrate the victories and how far society has come. Every year, many people around the country celebrate the anniversary of the ADA.

Morgan Steward: Doing What He Loves

We all know that as an honorary officer, Morgan Steward has a lot of responsibilities. He leads the town of Covington’s Christmas parade. He helps out at the annual “Shop-with-a-Cop” at Christmas, when officers take underprivileged children shopping for gifts. Still, even police officers need some time off and Morgan has a lot of other interests! At 12 years old, Morgan can do what he loves thanks to his Edge 3 Stretto® Narrow Wheelchair.

Morgan loves the body style and the ultra-narrow base on the Stretto. With a narrower width of only 20.75 inches, Morgan can easily navigate the tight corners in his house.

“With the slimmer base on the Stretto, I’m not side swiping walls anymore when I turn in the house,” Morgan said.

Playing Video Games

Morgan plays video games in his Stretto Narrow Wheelchair

Morgan’s favorite hobby is playing and competing in video game tournaments. He even wants to be a video game designer when he grows up. Even when Morgan can’t see his friends in person, they still play video games together.

“Games like these bring my friends and I closer together,” Morgan said. “Even when we can’t be around each other, we can get on the game and play with each other.”

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Morgan played adaptive baseball with the Miracle League of Newton County, Georgia. Morgan’s mother, Tangi, coaches the team and named them the Phillies because she is from Philadelphia. Morgan can’t wait until the pandemic is over and the team can play again!

Cooking Up a Storm

With iLevel® technology on his Stretto, Morgan raises the seat of his narrow wheelchair up to 12 inches and feels more included in group pictures.

Morgan can help prepare meals with his Stretto Narrow Wheelchair

“I’m able to elevate to everyone else’s height, especially with my baseball team and pictures with my friends,” Morgan said. “I blend right in!”

Often, Officer Morgan trades his police hat for a chef’s hat, using iLevel in the kitchen to help with preparing meals. He can easily reach the stove to cook hamburger when making spaghetti. This year for Thanksgiving, Morgan made his special garlic pepper and onion-flavored chicken for the main course. Morgan is cooking up a storm in the kitchen and he’s doing it safely, with iLevel!

The 2020 Word of the Year

Pandemic. It’s a word that has dominated our lives this year. The COVID-19 pandemic has truly impacted everyone’s life in one way or another, so it’s no surprise that Merriam-Webster and Dictionary.com have declared “pandemic” the Word of the Year.

For electric wheelchair users and individuals with disabilities, the pandemic has changed many aspects of their daily lives. Working from home has suddenly become the norm. Accessibility has expanded in ways never thought possible. Masks are worn in all public spaces and for electric wheelchair users, cleaning and disinfecting power wheelchairs has become a lot more involved.

Working from Home in a Pandemic

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been mandated that any individuals who can work from home should do so. This is a great step forward for the disability community. Individuals with chronic illnesses, disabilities or narrow electric wheelchair users often request remote work due to transportation barriers, medical appointments or other health reasons. Unfortunately, people with disabilities have often struggled to win the reasonable accommodation to work remotely. No longer! Today, everyone is encouraged to work remotely and it has proven that people are able to be productive when working from home. Furthermore, it has demonstrated that working from home can occur on a long-term basis.

Wheelchair Accessibility Problems Turn into Solutions

Because the pandemic requires all individuals to stay home to stop the spread of COVID-19, this mandate has solved many accessibility problems for narrow electric wheelchair users or people with disabilities. In terms of socializing, we utilize video chat programs such as Zoom or FaceTime to connect with loved ones. This new way of socializing has taken a lot of the stress off narrow electric wheelchair users, who don’t have to worry about accessibility when going to a friend or family member’s house or eating out at a restaurant. For many states, mail-in voting has become the norm due to the pandemic, and individuals with transportation barriers or chronic illnesses can exercise their right to vote easily with a mail-in ballot. These are just a few examples of how wheelchair accessibility problems have become solutions in 2020.

Disinfecting Wheelchairs and Wheelchair Cleaning Checklist

Due to the coronavirus, narrow electric wheelchair users must take greater precautions beyond washing their hands for twenty seconds. As an extension of their bodies, individuals should clean and disinfect their power wheelchairs daily. When disinfecting power wheelchairs, individuals should use EPA-approved wipes that contain an alcohol solution of at least 70 percent. If you don’t have wipes, the CDC recommends a spray bottle with one quart of water and four teaspoons of bleach. For electronic components on your power chair, we recommend silicon-based cleaners to avoid causing damage to the electronics. Check out our wheelchair cleaning checklist for more tips. While all this extra cleaning has certainly been challenging, it’s necessary to make sure that individuals with power chairs stay safe.

Quantum Holds Second Backup Camera Contest

WE’RE BACK! We’re holding another contest. One lucky person will win a Quantum® backup camera. Here’s how you can win!

If you own a Quantum Power Wheelchair with a Q-Logic 3 controller, simply retweet (Twitter) or share (Facebook or Instagram) our social media post announcing the contest. Tag us and three of your friends in the tweet or post. Do this by December 18, 2020, to be included in a random drawing on December 21, 2020. The lucky winner gets a backup camera installed by Quantum Rehab. No purchase necessary. See the complete rules for each social media platform below.

NOTE: You only need to retweet or share the contest post once and on one social platform.

Twitter

Retweet the contest post
Tag us @QuantumRehab and tag three of your friends by Dec. 18
You are automatically included in a random drawing, held on Dec. 21
A winner will be randomly selected
A Quantum representative near the winner’s location will install the backup camera onto their power chair
All participants must own a Quantum Power Wheelchair with the Q-Logic 3 controller

Facebook

Share the contest post
Tag us @QuantumRehab and tag three of your friends by Dec. 18
You are automatically included in a random drawing, held on Dec. 21
A winner will be randomly selected
A Quantum representative near the winner’s location will install the backup camera onto their power chair
All participants must own a Quantum Power Wheelchair with the Q-Logic 3 controller

Instagram

Share the contest post
Tag us @quantum_rehab and tag three of your friends by Dec. 18
You are automatically included in a random drawing, held on Dec. 21
A winner will be randomly selected
A Quantum representative near the winner’s location will install the backup camera onto their power wheelchair
All participants must own a Quantum Power Wheelchair with the Q-Logic 3 controller

Wheelchair Accessories for the New Year

As the year 2020 winds down, everyone is looking toward 2021 with anticipation and hope. A new year means new year resolutions and new possibilities. As a narrow electric wheelchair user, you might consider making some important purchases for your narrow electric wheelchair. There are many motorized wheelchair accessories available: from storage options to LED lighting. Get the lowdown on each and decide whether you need some motorized wheelchair accessories to make 2021 the best year yet!

Power Wheelchair Backpack

Quantum Rehab® knows the importance of having plenty of storage space available. Wheelchair storage bags are a great choice. If you have a Quantum® Power Chair with TRU-Balance® 3 Power Positioning Systems, consider purchasing the Quantum glove box, which attaches easily to the arm of your power chair. The personal item hook is another storage option and a great way to keep your purse or backpack within easy reach.

Speaking of backpacks, have you seen the new Quantum power wheelchair backpack? Made from extremely durable material, this backpack offers an insulated cooler pouch and plenty of volume to store all your possessions that you need to take with you when on the go. Each zipper on this backpack is equipped with a pull hook, perfect for individuals who have limited dexterity.

Wheelchair Safety Lights

Why not light up the new year with some front and rear LED fender lights on your narrow electric wheelchair? Each switch-operated LED light is mounted to the fender above the drive tire on each side of the power chair. Quantum’s LED lights are ultra slim, delivering excellent compactness and durability. Seeing and being seen has never been easier. Now you can travel around at night with peace of mind and know that cars, pedestrians and cyclists will see you coming.

Motorized Wheelchair Backup Camera

Many narrow electric wheelchair users understand the struggle of seeing what’s behind them when reversing. The motorized wheelchair backup camera from Quantum removes the guesswork! Whether you are reversing in your kitchen or at the mall, the Quantum backup camera promotes safety with a rear viewing angle of 170 degrees. Never worry about hitting door frames, small children or family pets. You can see what’s behind you with the 3.5-inch display that can be mounted on the armrest or the side rails for total convenience. Best of all, the backup camera from Quantum offers infrared capabilities for use at night.

Ready to Purchase?

Ready to purchase some motorized wheelchair accessories for the new year? Just reach out to your Quantum dealer today and let them know you wish to purchase some power wheelchair accessories. They can assist you!

Online Disability Magazines

If you’re looking for a quality read, you must check out these online magazines, created by individuals who seek to amplify the voices of people with disabilities and share their experiences.

DIVERSEability Magazine

DIVERSEability is a diversity and inclusion magazine that features people with all types of diverse abilities. This magazine raises awareness and provides educational, employment and business opportunities within corporate America with the goal of creating a more diverse workplace. Not only do they serve as a resource to help others advance, but DIVERSEability is also a movement that celebrates the advancements and achievements of people with all types of abilities. If you’re looking for an informative and educational read, DIVERSEability Magazine is for you.

Audacity Magazine

While recovering from an injury after falling out of her wheelchair, Nathasha Alvarez received several magazines from her sister. Although the topics the magazines covered were diverse, the people represented in them weren’t. Fed up with the lack of representation of people with disabilities and Nathasha took matters into her own hands. After working hard with a group of supportive and determined individuals, Audacity Magazine began. Audacity Magazine serves as an online resource where individuals with disabilities voice their experiences on an array of topics from fashion to sports to dating and more. The magazine strives to inspire, motivate, educate and entertain people with physical disabilities and those who enter their lives. If you want to support their mission or even share your own story, head over to their website at audacitymagazine.com.

New Mobility Magazine

Since 1989, New Mobility Magazine delivers stories to active wheelchair users. Like Nathasha Alvarez, founder Sam Maddox wanted to produce a quality resource on a wide array of topics for wheelchair users. New Mobility Magazine provides information on how to lead active, healthy lives and share stories that shatter stereotypes and are authentic experiences of living life with a disability.

Since its beginnings, New Mobility Magazine has won many awards, including a 2006 Independent Press Award from Utne Reader; a Maggie for best buyer’s guide from the Western Publications Association; an Ozzie for best redesign from Folio; a DREAM (Disability Rights in Entertainment, Arts & Media) award from the Disability Rights Legal Center; and several EDI awards for Equality, Dignity and Independence from Easter Seals. Today, New Mobility continues to be recognized as the premier wheelchair lifestyle publication in the world.

Benefits of the Quantum® Backup Camera

At Quantum Rehab®, we are dedicated to providing wheelchair users with the latest technology to increase their safety and independence. Most recently, we launched our Quantum® backup camera as an accessory option for some of our Quantum® Power Chairs.

What is the Quantum Backup Camera?

The Quantum® backup camera is one camera with many uses. You may be familiar with the concept of a backup camera for vehicles. A backup camera, also known as a rearview camera or reversing camera, gives the driver a clear view of what is behind them so that they can safely back up their vehicle. We created a backup camera for motorized wheelchair users so that they can confidently navigate wherever they go.

The Quantum backup camera promotes safety with a rear viewing angle of 170 degrees and has multiple mounting options available. Users can choose between having the camera on at all times or having the camera turn on when the wheelchair is in reverse.

The camera features a 3.5-inch display that can be mounted off the armrest or side rails. It also comes with a protective case to prevent damage. For the moment, it’s available exclusively on Q-Logic 3, but will also be available on NE/NE+ controllers in the future.

Quantum Backup Camera Benefits

There are many benefits to owning a Quantum backup camera for your power wheelchair. Rearview cameras are important because they allow you to maintain your control and visibility. As you maneuver your motorized wheelchair forward, you have a clear view of everything and everyone in front of you. It can be hard, however, to have that same level of visibility and confidence when trying to reverse your wheelchair. With a backup camera for wheelchairs, you can drive confidently, knowing there are no children or animals behind you. Additionally, the Quantum backup camera has infrared capabilities which allow for use at night.

On top of increasing visibility and safety for you and others, having a wheelchair backup camera is ideal for individuals who cannot turn their head or neck to see behind them. With the Quantum backup camera, you can mount the display anywhere so it’s visible as you drive.

Where to Buy the Quantum Backup Camera

Ready to purchase a backup camera for your power wheelchair? Reach out to your Quantum dealer today and let them know that you’re interested! If you can’t remember who your Quantum dealer is, we can help. You can reach us at our website’s Contact Us page. We’re happy to assist!

Go Where You Want to Go!

Consumers are hungry for information. They’d like to know more about the differences between power chairs, especially exciting, new innovations before meeting with a therapist and ATP.

Bryson uses his Stretto Power Wheelchair to go where he wants to go!

That was one of the main takeaways from Quantum® focus groups of power chair users. Led by Stephanie Woodward, Quantum’s Brand Ambassador Advisor, the focus groups identified what power chair users wanted to see and that they felt the industry needed to be educated on what consumers are looking for. This feedback was the inspiration behind Quantum’s new Stretto commercial, which begins airing nationwide on Dec. 7.

“We’ve held in-person consumer roundtable discussions before, but this year because of COVID, we held two virtually on Zoom,” Stephanie said. “This allowed for people from all over the country to participate, giving us crucial and valuable feedback.”

The star of the commercial is 20-year-old Bryson Foster, a Brand Ambassador for Quantum. Bryson, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, describes what the Stretto can do and how it has given him more freedom.

Bryson can elevate his Stretto Power Wheelchair with iLevel technology

“When it comes to power chairs, I know what I want because I have been driving one my entire life,” Bryson explains in the commercial. “Quantum has made huge advancements with the new Stretto.”

Consumer feedback allowed Quantum to create the Stretto while focusing on huge advancements with unprecedented narrowness and more maneuverability. A request for a smoother ride resulted in independent Smooth Ride Suspension, which offers increased shock absorption due to the angle of the shocks.

If viewers would like more information, the end of the commercial directs them to quantumrehab.com/gostretto to learn more about both Bryson and the Stretto. The page also has a link to find a provider for assistance.

“Now I can go where I want to go, all because of the Stretto!” Bryson says to wrap up the commercial.

Click here to view the commercial.

What is a Service Dog?

Dogs are incredible animals. Not only do they make great pets, but their intelligence allows them to learn a variety of tricks that can help their owners in daily life, whether on a task force, in the military or even in the home. Service animals are trained to perform specific tasks to help individuals who have disabilities. Most people are familiar with guide dogs or seeing eye dogs. Did you know that there are other types of service dogs that help people with a variety of disabilities?

Service Animals vs Emotional Support Animals

In recent years, there’s been a rise in registered emotional support animals. You may hear about them on the news or see them in public spaces, such as a college campus. While an emotional support animal provides comfort and companionship to others, they differ from service animals in that they are not trained to perform a specific task. You must know the difference between emotional support animals and service animals because each one has specific rights and rules they need to follow. To learn more, check out Stephanie Woodward’s article Service & Emotional Support Animals.

Service Dogs and Wheelchairs

Some service dogs help with sight-related disabilities. Others assist when their owner is having a seizure. There are also dogs that are trained to help wheelchair users. Some tasks include retrieving items dropped on the floor, carrying items purchased at the store and opening and closing doors. While investing in a good motorized wheelchair allows you to live more independently, you can take independence to the next level with a furry companion.

Life with a Service Dog

Some of our Q Roll Models and friends of Quantum live with service dogs and blog about their experiences. One such person is Amy Bleile, who became a service dog mom in April. She owns a golden retriever named Beans. Amy wishes to train Beans as a service dog, so he can help her with tasks at home and in the classroom.

Alison Chancellor also blogs about her life as an experienced dog handler. She recently started working with her new service dog, Lambo. Read more about Alison’s reflections of living with a service dog.

Cleaning Your Electric Wheelchair Tires

Every individual knows the struggle of keeping your floors clean when you use a narrow motorized wheelchair, such as the Edge 3 Stretto®. Your power chair tires are designed to handle a wide variety of terrain. Unfortunately, this also means that all kinds of debris may stick to your tires and you end up bringing the mess into your home. Plus, even if your tires are clean, your electric wheelchair may still leave marks on your floors. Read on for some helpful tips to avoid messy and marked up floors.

How to Clean Your Narrow Motorized Wheelchair Tires

After a day of running errands or spending time outside, the first thing you should do before you enter your home is to clean off your electric wheelchair tires. We recommend using a broom, dustpan brush or any kind of brush with stiff bristles. Using the brush, you can gently sweep off any dirt or debris on your wheelchair tires. If your tires are caked with mud, we suggest letting the mud dry for a few hours. This makes it easier to brush the mud off. Never use a rubber conditioner on the tread area of your tires. This can make the tires slippery and cause your power chair to skid. If you were caught in rain or snow, it’s important to dry your chair immediately. Find out what to do if your narrow power wheelchair gets wet.

While you are cleaning the tires, this is a good time to give your power chair an examination to make sure everything is in working order. If you have pneumatic tires, check for proper tire inflation and make sure you maintain (but not exceed) the psi/bar/kPa air pressure rating that is indicated on each tire. Get more tips on cleaning your narrow power wheelchair and other maintenance checks to perform, including daily, weekly and monthly checks, to keep your power chair in top condition.

How to Avoid Wheelchair Marks on Floors

We believe that the best way to avoid causing wheelchair scuff marks on your wooden or linoleum floors is to avoid any sudden starts and stops when operating your narrow power wheelchair. Stop and go driving may contribute to these rubber marks. It also can affect your battery life and cause your wheelchair batteries to deplete more quickly.

How to Clean Wheelchair Marks on Floors

Even if your tires are totally clean and you drive your chair appropriately, there’s still a possibility of getting rubber marks on your floors. If your narrow motorized wheelchair leaves black marks on your wooden, laminate or linoleum flooring, don’t panic. These rubber marks are easy to remove. First, consider the type of flooring you have and consult the manufacturer of the flooring to determine which types of cleaners are appropriate to use. Generally, when removing wheelchair marks on flooring, we recommend a magic eraser sponge or mop. You can also try a pencil eraser or a tennis ball. Any of these remedies may help to remove the majority of rubber marks on floors. Once you get the worse of the mark removed, spray a glass or surface cleaner on the area and wipe gently with a paper towel or cloth.