New Mobility Newsletter – August 17, 2022


Products

RGK Launches in the U.S. with a Wheelchair that Weighs Less than 9 Pounds

RGK has been providing custom-fit everyday and sports wheelchairs to United Kingdom residents for decades. Now, they are available in the U.S. The Octane Sub4, RGK’s flagship product, is a rigid titanium wheelchair guaranteed to weigh less than 8.8 pounds. Also available: an ultralight wheelchair with a unique folding mechanism that can fit in an airplane storage bin, and an off-road attachable wheel that secures to almost any rigid footplate.

Travel

Report: Disabled Travelers Spend $58.2 Billion a Year and Want Better Access

A new survey of 2,375 people with mobility disabilities in the U.S. found that we spend tens of billions a year on travel and take trips about as frequently as nondisabled travelers. Yet, we remain a poorly served demographic within the industry. Click the link to see respondents’ major complaints and what they’d like improved.

BEST OF: Most Accessible Hotel Chain in America

While most hotel chains vary significantly from location to location — making accessibility a crapshoot, at best — travel writer Sylvia Longmire says that Hilton’s Home2 Suites has provided worry-free access wherever she’s booked a room. Read about what sets Home2 Suites apart, plus Longmire reveals the nicest accessible hotel she’s ever stayed in.

Insurance Coverage

The Need For Seat Elevators and Standing Wheelchairs

Wheelchairs with seat elevation and standing capabilities can make a big difference in the lives of many power chair users, but antiquated rules have prevented Medicare from covering these valuable features. Thanks in part to United Spinal Association’s advocacy efforts, Medicare is considering covering these systems and has just opened a public comment period on seat elevation. Click the link above to learn more about United Spinal’s complex rehab technology advocacy, or click here to tell Medicare why seat elevation is important to you. 

Pro Tip

Time is On Your Side

When you have a disability, it seems like everything just takes longer. But we don’t have to be prisoners of time, writes Regan Linton in her latest “Own It” column. “Instead of feeling frustrated or guilty about how much longer certain tasks take because of your disability, lean into them. Don’t set timetables for things that are stifled by them.”


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