Quantumrehab.com Gets a Fresh, New Look

Quantum Rehab’s main website, quantumrehab.com, was recently updated to have a fresh, new look.

With a new menu layout that is more user-friendly, visitors to the site can find what they are searching for much easier. Product pages feature clickable tabs to show features and colors, as well as compatible power bases, seating and positioning, electronics and other components.

Plus, individuals who have been recently diagnosed with medical conditions such as ALS or muscular dystrophy can find helpful information and resources explaining how Quantum products can meet their needs.

“We know that recently diagnosed consumers seek information on our products for their medical needs and to help them pursue the most socially-inclusive lives possible,” said Megan Kutch, Director of Quantum Marketing. “So, we’ve designed the site to help answer their questions about their specific diagnosis, making it as user-centric as possible.”

To interact with the enhanced site, please visit quantumrehab.com.

Quantum Launches LifeAtiLevel.com Online Community

Friday, February 1, 2019

DURYEA, PA – Quantum Rehab® has launched a new consumer-focused website, lifeatilevel.com. This exciting, unique online community is designed for people who use iLevel® power adjustable seat height and power wheelchairs, as well as those who want to learn more about them.

The site features videos, blogs and photos, as well as biographies of iLevel consumer advocates. Consumers are also invited to submit their own personal stories about how iLevel has helped them and improved their lives.

“We wanted to create a dedicated website for consumers,” said Megan Kutch, Director of Quantum Marketing. It’s not a typical website you’d expect for a product, but a place where we will share the stories of those who use life-changing iLevel technology. With over 20,000 people using iLevel and that number steadily growing, we anticipate lifeatilevel.com to become a site people will feel a part of.”

Quantum Rehab® is a premier global innovator of consumer-inspired complex rehab products, including the Edge 3, 4Front®, and Quantum Series of power bases, iLevel® seat elevation technology, TRU-Balance® 3 Power Positioning Systems, Q-Logic 3 Advanced Drive Controls, and Stealth Products® cushions and positioning components. Please visit quantumrehab.com.

Quantum® Launches LifeatiLevel.com Online Community

Quantum Rehab® has launched a new consumer-focused website, lifeatilevel.com. This exciting, unique online community is designed for people who use iLevel® power adjustable seat height and power wheelchairs, as well as those who want to learn more about them.

The site features videos, blogs and photos, as well as biographies of iLevel consumer advocates. Consumers are also invited to submit their own personal stories about how iLevel has helped them and improved their lives.

“We wanted to create a dedicated website for consumers,” said Megan Kutch, Director of Quantum Marketing. It’s not a typical website you’d expect for a product, but a place where we will share the stories of those who use life-changing iLevel technology. With over 20,000 people using iLevel and that number steadily growing, we anticipate lifeatilevel.com to become a site people will feel a part of.”

Employment Rights for Wheelchair Users: The Basics

There’s a common misconception that wheelchair users cannot work, but that’s simply not true. Not only can we work, but we want to work. One of the biggest barriers that wheelchair users face in employment is not knowing our rights. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) specifically protects people with disabilities from discrimination in employment. The more wheelchair users know about our rights under the ADA, the better off we’ll be in employment interviews and on the job. Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about employment and the ADA.

Are all employers covered under the ADA?

Unfortunately, no. Only employers with 15 or more employees are covered under the ADA. This means a small coffee shop with only two employees will not be held to the same requirements as a restaurant with 18 employees.

What are the requirements for employers under the ADA? 

The ADA prohibits employers with 15 or more employees from discriminating in ALL employment practices, including job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. The ADA requirements apply to recruitment, advertising, tenure, layoff, leave, fringe benefits, and all other employment-related activities. So basically, the ADA applies to all aspects of employment!

Are you protected under the ADA?

The ADA prohibits discrimination against applicants and employees that are “qualified individuals with disabilities.” A person has a “disability” if they: (1) have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; or (2) have a record of such impairment; or (3) is regarded as having such impairment.

If you use a wheelchair because you cannot walk or you are very limited in your ability to walk, then you are likely protected under the ADA.

The ADA also prohibits discrimination against a person because they have a known relationship or association with an individual with a disability, such as a mother who has a child that uses a wheelchair.  

What is a qualified individual with a disability?

A person who meets legitimate skill, experience, education, or other requirements of the job that she holds or is applying for and who can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

This means a person is qualified if they can do the vital parts of the job. For example, if a woman applied for a job as a vet technician and she had the appropriate education and training, but she could not reach some of the medical equipment because it is kept on the top shelf, then she is a qualified person with a disability because she can do the job – she just needs the equipment moved to a lower shelf as a reasonable accommodation!

There are plenty of jobs wheelchair users can perform and knowing your rights can help you get and keep the job that’s right for you! Be on the lookout for a follow up blog about reasonable accommodations!

About Stephanie Woodward: Stephanie is a brand ambassador for Quantum Rehab® and works as a disability rights activist. She has received many awards for helping communities become more accessible, as well as for her actions in fighting for the rights of disabled individuals as it relates to Medicaid and other support services. Click here to learn more about Stephanie.

Make Your Holiday Celebration Wheelchair Friendly

The holiday season is upon us and I am excited to celebrate as much as possible! Wheelchair users are just like everyone else – some us of LOVE the holidays, and some of us just muddle through somehow. Either way, you should invite us to your holiday events just like you would invite any of your other friends or family members. If you’re worried that it will be difficult to make your celebration accessible for power wheelchair users, think again! With just a few easy steps, your event can be more inclusive and welcoming to people who use motorized wheelchairs.

Celebrate in Accessible Locations

Not all houses are accessible, in fact, most houses are not accessible. Because of this, it’s a great idea to schedule your get together in a public place (bonus: you won’t have to clean your house before guests arrive or pick up after they leave!). The key is to find a place that has an entrance without any steps, pathways inside that are wide enough for a wheelchair user to navigate (usually 36 inches will do the trick), and an accessible bathroom. Consider having your event at restaurant or renting out a lodge at your local park. Looking for something even cheaper? Check out local religious organizations – many churches and temples are accessible and allow the community to use their space for a small donation or free of charge!

Be Thoughtful about Where You Place Things

Once you have an accessible location for your event, you want to make sure that the environment inside is welcoming to people in motorized wheelchairs! Check the length of table clothes to make sure they’re not so long that they drag on the floor, otherwise the tablecloth may inadvertently get stuck in a wheel and be pulled off the table! Also, consider where you place decorations to make sure there’s still clear paths for a person in an electric wheelchair to get through. For example, if you want to put a Christmas tree up, make sure it does not block the path to the tables or bathroom. Lastly, think about where you place your food. Placing food on bars or high tables can make it impossible for some wheelchair users to reach the food if they do not have an iLevel wheelchair!

Plan in Advance to Ensure Wheelchair Users Can Come

People who use power wheelchairs often rely on public transportation because wheelchair accessible vehicles are expensive and most wheelchair users cannot afford them. Additionally, many cities do not have accessible taxis or ridesharing, so this means electric wheelchair users rely on the bus or paratransit services (the wheelchair accessible bus service the complements the bus service). Telling a wheelchair user about a party at the last minute may mean that they won’t be able to make it at all. The best way to ensure that an electric wheelchair user can come to the celebration is to tell them a week or two in advance!

About Stephanie Woodward: Stephanie is a brand ambassador for Quantum Rehab® and works as a disability rights activist. She has received many awards for helping communities become more accessible, as well as for her actions in fighting for the rights of disabled individuals as it relates to Medicaid and other support services. Click here to learn more about Stephanie.

We Remember Our Friend, Mark Smith

Mark E. Smith, 47, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, surrounded by his family at home in Shavertown, PA.

Mark was Pride Mobility’s General Manager for Public Relations and Consumer Research for 18 years. He was also a well-known member of the disability community as an author, public speaker and advocate. Mark made a positive difference in the world through his writing, speaking and thousands of personal interactions. He was perhaps best known for his popular and occasionally irreverent website wheelchairjunkie.com. He led a rewarding, rich life with cerebral palsy and was a loving husband and father. 

The fortitude Mark showed in facing the challenges of his life and the passion he had for making a difference in the lives of others was a great inspiration to all of us at Pride. He will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Holly, and daughters, Emily and Annabelle.

Mark’s obituary can be viewed here.

Interactive Assist: Now Available

Interactive Assist from Quantum Rehab® is a new app which provides a direct real-time connection from a power chair’s electronics to a provider’s programming station. The connection provides the technician with full system and diagnostics information along with tools, such as a real-time mirror image of the power chair’s electronics display, to eliminate wasteful trips.

Benefits include:

  • Save time and money
    • Reduce trips to client’s home
    • Find detailed diagnostic information
  • Real-time monitoring and mirroring
  • Assists with programming chairs (must be performed using a programming station with a technician onsite)
  • Communicate with client via text chat

Interactive Assist can be used with the Q-Logic 3 Advanced Drive Control System. It is retrofittable on existing Q-Logic 3 controllers via a firmware update.

Quantum providers and consumers can download the app in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Providers must also download an update to the ECON-W programming station to make the remote connection.

Don’t Forget to Accessorize Your Quantum Power Wheelchair

I have been using Quantum® Wheelchairs since I was about 12 years old and I have loved each one, but as time has passed the one thing that I’ve learned is that accessories for my chair can make a huge impact on my day-to-day life. Here are the accessories I love and use daily.

  1. Fender Lights

    I cannot tell you how much I love my fender lights. Luckily, they come standard on all new Edge 3 power wheelchairs! You might think the best benefit of these lights is the ability to turn them on when you’re out at night so others can see you and you can see the ground you’re rolling on. Yes, that is a great benefit, but it’s not my favorite. Due to my disability, I regularly use the bathroom in the middle of the night but I hate turning on the lights in the house because they hurt my sleepy eyes. However, with my fender lights I can see around the house with just enough light to use the bathroom and go straight back to bed!
     
  2. USB Charger

    I don’t know about you, but my phone is always dying. I used to hate getting stuck in public and feeling like I needed to rush home to charge my phone. Ever since I got my portable USB charger on my motorized wheelchair, it’s no longer a problem! I know I can leave the house at 8 a.m. and not come home until 9 p.m. and both my phone and my wheelchair will last the entire day! It’s great to have a power wheelchair that can last as long as I do, and even better that my wheelchair helps my phone last too!
     
  3. Cup Holder

    My day doesn’t start until I’ve gotten my coffee, but it’s hard to get ready with one hand on my joystick and the other holding a coffee. Thankfully, my cup holder has solved this problem for me! I can bring my drinks everywhere I go and still have a free hand. When I don’t have a drink in my cup holder, I regularly put my cell phone in it. I know that Quantum has a separate cell phone holder accessory, but I find it really convenient to put it in the cup holder where I can see the screen just as well as I can see my joystick screen!
     
  4. Backpack Holders

    My job has me travelling all the time – whether it’s across the town or across the country, I’m always going somewhere. Generally when I travel for work, I travel alone and there’s no one to help me with my bags, so I use my backpack holders to carry my backpack, laptop bag, and anything else I need. It makes travelling solo a breeze! Additionally, when I finally do get to spend some time at home, my backpack holders are great for carrying my grocery bags so I can get chores done quickly!

About Stephanie Woodward: Stephanie is a brand ambassador for Quantum Rehab® and works as a disability rights activist. She has received many awards for helping communities become more accessible, as well as for her actions in fighting for the rights of disabled individuals as it relates to Medicaid and other support services. Click here to learn more about Stephanie.

Quantum Launches Interactive Assist Live Remote Diagnostics

Monday, November 19, 2018

DURYEA, PA – Quantum Rehab® has launched Interactive Assist, a new app which provides a direct real-time connection from a power chair’s electronics to a provider’s programming station.     

The connection provides the technician with full system and diagnostic information along with tools, such as a real-time mirror image of the power chair’s electronics display, to eliminate wasteful service trips.

“For both providers and consumers, Interactive Assist saves time, money, and frustration,” said Jay Brislin, Vice President of Quantum Rehab. “We didn’t just want data snapshots. We developed the industry’s first app that features live, real-time monitoring, mirroring access, and the ability to adjust certain parameters. All of this saves the provider a service call, expedites service for the consumer, and helps the provider identify what issue may require a physical service call.”

Interactive Assist works via an app that is available for download in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The consumer links his or her controller to the app using a smart device, and a secure connection is made to the provider. From there, the provider or technician can view every aspect of the power chair’s electronics in real time, even as it operates. While connected, the consumer and provider can also communicate via text chat.

Quantum Rehab® is a premier global innovator of consumer-inspired complex rehab products, including the Edge 3, 4Front®, and Quantum Series of power bases, iLevel® seat elevation technology, TRU-Balance® 3 Power Positioning Systems, Q-Logic 3 Advanced Drive Controls, and Stealth Products® cushions and positioning components. Please visit quantumrehab.com.

Why Multiple Power Over Single Power?

If a consumer medically requires power tilt, they can often medically benefit from and require power recline as well. The following is an outline of the benefits of power tilt and power recline (multiple power).

Having both power tilt AND power recline:

  • Provides optimal pressure relief.
    • Combining 25-45 degrees of tilt with 110-115 degrees of recline maximizes pressure relief (up to a 40 percent load reduction)1,2
  • Protects joints by allowing range of motion.
    • Recline allows the vital movement of joints through ROM, reducing the development of contractures throughout the person’s lifetime. 1,2
  • Reduces shearing and pelvic sliding during recline.
    • 25 degrees of tilt helps hold the pelvis in place when reclining.1,2
  • Provides ease for repositioning by the ability to use gravity in one’s favor
    • If the pelvis migrates forward on the seat cushion, tilting back past 45 degrees and opening up the back angle with recline can allow the person to reposition independently. 1
  • Improves lower limb hemodynamic states (edema) with 30 degrees of tilt and full recline
    • When tilt alone is used with elevating leg rests or an AFP, as the knees extend, the hamstrings may be pulled and shift the pelvic position posteriorly. However, the hips remain flexed, limiting circulatory return and lymph drainage.1,2
    • Full tilt and recline allows slack on the hamstring, the knees to be extended with the AFP or elevating leg rests and feet to be fully elevated 1,2
  • Allows a dynamic seated position which permits a variety of postures throughout the day.
    • Combined tilt and recline allows the consumer the widest range of postural changes throughout the day for optimal ADLs.1,2
  • Permits better transfers.
    • Tilt and recline can stabilize the trunk for proper transfer positioning. 1
    • Recline may be used in combination with elevating leg rests to enhance sliding transfers with a person in supine position. 1
    • The adjustability of the system can reduce the number of transfers throughout the day. 1
    • Can reduce injury to consumer and caregiver. 1
  • Provides safer negotiation of obstacles and inclines through optimal trunk control. 1
  • Optimizes positioning for respiration, eating and swallowing, and vision.
    • It is the professional opinion of Quantum Rehab that positioning can optimize expansion of the chest and allow greater ease of breathing.
    • Improvement of respiratory status can increase alertness and arousal. 1
    • Improved respiration can also improve vocal communication. 1
    • Decreased risk of aspiration. 1
    • Improvement of visual orientation. 1
  • Helps manage orthostatic hypotension for those who have periodic blood pressure changes. 1
  • Improves ability through recline to catheterize or allow a care attendant to manage bowel care. 1

Click here to download the PDF.

  1. Dicianno, B. E., et. al., (2009). RESNA Position on the Application of Tilt, Recline, and Elevating Legrests for Wheelchairs. Assistive Technology, 21(1), 13-22
  2. Dicianno, B. E., et. al., (2015). RESNA Position on the Application of Tilt, Recline, and Elevating Legrests for Wheelchairs Literature Update. Assistive Technology, 27(3), 193-198