Manufactured by Parabasetec Gmbh of Germany, this power wheelchair boasts rough terrain handling as well as the ability to be configured for other sports that a user may want to participate in from a standing position. Of course, it can also be used for everyday outdoor cruising with the added benefit of the standing feature for face-to-face interactions, getting at those hard to reach up high things, and the obvious therapeutic benefits of standing.

Some details on the Paramobile:

• Seat width 40 - 46 cm (2 cm raster)
• Seat depth 36 - 51 cm (3 cm raster)
• Seat height 51 - 64 cm (adjustable)
• Height of armrests 15 cm
• Length of armrests 26 cm
• Length of lower leg 52 - 55 cm (adjustable)
• Height of backrest 29 - 37 cm (infinitely variable)
• Total width 89 cm
• Total height 81 - 89 cm (depending on backrest adjustment)
• Total length 149 cm (driving forward)
• 145 cm (packing dimension with swiveled steering wheel)
• Turning circle 190 cm
• Tire size: front 16’’ (16×6.50-8) rear 10’’ (11×6.00-5)

“On Easter weekend, the Epilepsy Foundation—and those who use its online forums for help, support, suggestions and camaraderie—came under attack by people who posted rapidly flashing images to cause serious injury and harm. The type of epilepsy that causes people to experience seizures upon seeing flashing or flickering images is photosensitive epilepsy.”

Read the rest at: http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/aboutus/pressroom/action_against_hackers.cfm

The new rule will apply to foreign air carriers operating a flight that begins or ends in the United States. It applies to U.S. air carrier operations worldwide. Passengers flying to Europe, Asia, or other destinations on foreign air carriers now will have similar protections against discriminatory policies and be entitled to the same accommodations as passengers flying on U.S. carriers. DOT will also be better able to take enforcement action against a foreign carrier if it discriminates against an individual because of his or her disability on flights to or from the United States.

The new rule will also make it easier for passengers to use medical oxygen during flights by requiring airlines to allow the use in the passenger cabin of portable oxygen concentrators that meet applicable safety, security and hazardous materials requirements for safe use aboard aircraft and it will provide greater accommodations for passengers with hearing impairments. It will require airlines to include easy-to-read captions for the hearing-impaired in its safety and informational videos.

Airlines also must promptly provide the same information to hearing- and vision-impaired passengers that it provides to other passengers in airport terminals or on the aircraft – such as information on boarding, flight delays, schedule changes, weather conditions at the flight’s destination, connecting gate assignments, checking and claiming of baggage, and emergencies. The rule does not specify how carriers should make this information available to passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The new rule will be effective in one year to give carriers enough time to begin implementing its provisions. The text of the final rule is available on the Internet at www.regulations.gov, docket number DOT-OST-2004-19482.

Finally, DOT will seek further comment in a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) about whether airlines should be required to provide medical oxygen to passengers upon request. The SNPRM will also address subjects such as accessibility of airline web sites, automated ticketing kiosks, and in flight entertainment systems.

Sad news indeed. Here are just a few of the statistics from the comprehensive Second Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress.

You can download or view the entire report. If you’re up for it.

Their latest development, the Roughrider, was designed to take some of the “rough” out of wheelchair use in these countries.

Check out the video:

While most USA wheelies crave shorter and lighter wheelchairs, a longer wheelbase and even a heavier wheelchair in general are often a very good trade off in places where it can make the difference between being a usable wheelchair or an ornament.

It looks like Bischoff & Bischoff of Germany have struck at both ends of the mobility scooter spectrum with their new products.

The Orbis, a mobility scooter for use in difficult terrain and curb hopping, and the Agil, a lightweight transportable mobility scooter that can be folded up and tossed in your trunk.

Here’s the scoop on these world-apart scooters.

The Orbis packs four wheel spring suspension and a speed of up to nine miles per hour. Not bad for a street cruiser! The manufacturer claims that it has curb climbing ability and can deal with difficult terrain as well as take 12 degree inclines.

Tossed in for good measure is a horn, light, blinkers, cane holder, and two rear view mirrors. And yes, leather upholstery on the seat. Hey, who would buy a scooter that didn’t have leather upholster?

Here’s the Agil, the lightweight.  Weighing in at around 61 pounds, the Agil folds up to fit in a car trunk. This spidery little scooter can get you around at pinch under 3 mph. Not blazing, but blazing is not what this bantom weight is about.

There are not too many goodies packed into Agil for obvious reasons but you do get an angle adjustable seat and  a small footprint and tight turning radius.