Review -- Source Kids Disability Expo 2024

I came away from the Source Kids Disability Expo with a swag of information and resources.

This review shares the new resources that I find interesting as I go through the brochures / catalogues / databases/ displays/ and discuss information about services, and assistive technology.
Best news was finding a local supplier: Astris PME at Wynnum. 

Displays  

One of my favourite displays was 'Make Your Wheelchair Pop' by colourmywheels.com.au
They had more than 40 awesome designs by Australian artists for pop-on wheelchair wheel covers. You measure your wheels and make orders online at Colour My Wheels. This is a way to personalising your wheelchair with Dinosaur Dance, Comic Fun, Boom, Endless Summer or other artworks. States they are eco-friendly, sustainable, Australian made products. Featured artists. Can customise designs. 

Databases

  • 2024 Disability Support Guide a DPS Publication has listings of some disability service providers, their location in Australia, and phone numbers with ticks for: funding categories, service, and age group. The listing is broken down geographically into states and regions with maps in the appendix. The footnote states: Visit www.disabilitysupportguide.com.au for a complete overview of providers and services registered with the State or Territory. Page 315 has 'how to read directory tables guide.' 
  • The directory includes NDIS registered and unregistered providers, but many that I know are not listed there--especially sole trader individual providers. The tables list a number of 'verified' providers-- which have confirmed with DPS that the information that is displayed is correct. States the DSG Web ID number can be used as a unique identifier to find out more information about the provider in the guide. The services listed in bold have paid for their entry. DPS Publishing also produced the 'Aged Care Guide.'
  • It is a useful listing but it is not 'complete' as claimed and would need continual updating online. The lack of verification of entries is problematic for obtaining accurate information; and the omission of many service providers is a concern. 

Resource Information

'The early childhood approach: helping children younger than 9' information for parents and families, (Easy Read version) available through ndis.gov.au 

  • Source Kids Magazine Celebrating 10 years, Issue 39, Winter 2024
A magazine that has listings and advertisements for many disability services and assistive technology suppliers. Includes interesting articles on topical issues for the disability community, such as: 'What is Interoception;' 'Neurodivergence and Mental Health;' 'Diagnosis--Our Story.' Provides parent perspectives. Register to receive a copy online at: https://www.sourcekids.com.au/ 

See also SourceKids Assistive Tech E-Guide -- a resource available from sourcekids.com.au/atguide 

Catalogues:

I am unable to provide cost comparisons between suppliers and products because prices are not usually listed in the catalogues. They are presented in no particular order, just as they came out-of-the-bag. The listing here, is not a recommendation or endorsement. Some suppliers have discounts for August, 2024.
  •  Aidacare Healthcare Equipment Paediatric Catalogue--Equipment listed: standing aids, seating aids, strollers, walking aids, manual wheelchairs, power-assist systems, power wheelchairs, head supports, night time positioning, bathroom. 
Contains photographs of assistive technology with specifications and codes. The Upsee harness allows a child to be strapped to the front of the adult in a harness to walk. The Snooza Chair and Carrot 3000 Car Seat (Leckey) are shown. There are some videos on YouTube of some equipment items demonstrating how used. The products can be found on the Aidacare website. The adjustable bath chairs look good including the Sharky Bathroom Chair at good height for carer. There are several options in strollers. 
Further information from sales@aidacare.com.au

Contains photographs and details of active play equipment for developing gross motor skills and encouraging students to be physically active. Equipment looks durable and especially useful in settings such as schools and gyms that have many children passing through. 
Located at Zillmere Rd, Aspley. Qld.

  • ASTRIS PME Assistive Technology Equipment for 24-hour positioning care and comfort (Kids & Teens) catalogue
Good to see an office listed at 38 Industry Place, Wynnum. Q. 4178. phone 3556 7133 (and NSW, VIC, ACT).
National Support line 1300-131-884

Astris PME Website at astris-pme.com.au features an interactive client portal where you can:
* Keep track of your equipment
* Request service
* Request hire equipment
* Make a trial appointment with a Specialist Consultant
Includes product brochures, blogs and much more!

Astris PME Products:
*Wheelchair seating systems/accessories
* Manual wheelchairs including rigid, folding & tilt-in-space
* Power wheelchairs
* Power attachments
* Special needs pushchairs (strollers)
* Exercise & recreational equipment
* Alternative indoor seating
* Walkers & gait trainers
* Standers
* Hygiene
* Sleep systems, lifting & transfer
* Transport equipment

Power Assist (wheelchair power attachments that fit onto a manual wheelchair may be worth trying to motorise the wheelchair, as a cheaper alternative to purchasing a power wheelchair).

The hi-lo seating with a mobility base option may be useful for activity chairs and adaptive seating.

Rifton and other adaptive tricycles are available--in our local area! Looking forward to checking these out.

  • Leckey Product Guide Australia -- Sunrise Medical Catalogue
The catalogue has:
* Seating and Mobility devices
* Standing and Walking devices
* Other Products (advanced bath chair, shower trolley, Sleepform)

The Leckey MyWay Pedal is an elliptical trainer which attaches to the size 2 and 3 MyWay frame has a video online which demonstrates how it is used. Looks like a smooth walking surface and close supervision is required. Quite an amazing innovation which allows a child to pedal when in a standing harness.  Can register for a demonstration here: Leckey MyWay+ | Sunrise Medical
  • Dejay Helping People Product Catalogue
Products include:
* Power wheelchairs
* Manual wheelchairs
* Power assist add-ons
* Wheelchair accessories and components
* Seating systems for wheelchairs
* Head protection
* Paediatric seating
* Pushchairs / Strollers
* Standing solutions
* Gait trainers and walkers
* Fitness and recreation

The Zoomer All-Terrain power wheelchair (for all ages) looks interesting, described as self-balancing Segway technology, height adjustable for use at bush/beach.

Head protection and Snoezle portable sensory environment are unique to Dejay from what I have seen so far. Dejay are suppliers for Otto bock; and pressure care cushions by Jay, Matrx, Spex, Tomato sitters & potty seats. Catalogue also has adaptive tricycles for children, teens, and adults. Frame running options are shown online. See more at www.dejay.com.au (NSW phone number 02-9838 8869).

  • Joya Medical Supplies
Has an online portal for NDIS participants. www.joyamedicalsupplies.com.au 
Based at 6/7 Hansen Ct, Coomera. Q. 4209.  phopne 1300  005 032

Products include:
* Continence care
* Urinary care
* Wound care
* Washable continence products
* Nutrition feeding and accessories
* Stoma care, tapes, compression therapy (Jobst products)
* Halyard products

They advertise 30 minutes free continence consultation is available.

  • Medifab Australia--Clinical Equipment Solutions solutions@medifab.com 
Specialises in complex rehabilitation technology. Established in 1990.
Has a knowledge base online with Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist product trainers. 
The comparison charts are useful for comparing products.

Products include:
* Strollers
* Indoor seating
* Therapy furniture (Jenx corner seat, nursery table, therapy bench, Jenx Ly-On)
* Vehicle seating (various car seats with a comparison chart)
* Vehicle harnesses (including Medifab, Houdini, and Walking rein. Comparison chart)
* Standing aids--Jenx with comparison chart
* Bathroom (Sharky bathroom chair)
* Lying and positioning (Pos'in'form; Carewave; Simple Stuff Works; Dreama)
* Beds (Safe Surround Genie Bed; and Safe Surround Plus Bed)

  • Personal GPS Trackers, Angie Schmitzer angie@mybuddygard.com.au m. 0408 787 967 
  • (NDIS registered provider) connect@mybuddygard.com.au   My Buddy Gard
'Checklist for Ethical GPS Tracking in Occupational Therapy' is included in the brochures.

Products include:
* Buddy watch
* Kids Buddy Tracker
* Pendant Buddy Tracker
* Buddy Secure
* Extra Wearing Options kit
* Buddy Fall Sensory powered by: vizion

  • Autoextras group Mobility Modifications Product Guide
Mission: Innovating transport to fulfill life's mission
Described as a family business, founded 40 years ago.

Provides:
* Wheelchair access (wheelchair loaders, lowered drop floor conversions, wheelchair restraints)
* Transfer aids (Side steps, Tumy Swivel Seat)
* Driving aids (Hand controls; steering devices & spinner knobs, left foot accelerator)
* Wheelchair stowage (Smart lifter hoist 40-80 kg, or 75-200 kg; Abi Loader; Wymo Roof Mounted Wheelchair Loader)
* Wheelchair accessible vehicle hire

Brochures

Suppliers--Assistive Technology

I was impressed that most of the sales reps at the Expo were from Australian businesses. Well done to the organisers of the Source Kids Disability Expo 2024. Thank you to the service representatives that freely shared information and resources. These can be followed up on websites.

Sandra Kirkwood
Occupational Therapist
m. 0488 624 362

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