Frankfurt,, Germany -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/15/2014 -- Frankfurt, Germany -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/1/2006 -- The Comfort Company (division of Marken International Inc.), a leading manufacturer of wheelchair seating and positioning equipment and Med Services Europe announced today a collaboration to launch Comfort Company products in Europe and the Mid-East. Dealers and distributors of disability products can take advantage of a special offer to test the new brand.

Based in Bozeman, Montana USA, The Comfort Company manufactures top quality seating and positioning products for active, comfort and pediatric wheelchairs. The "Comfort" line features products designed for geriatric and long-term care patients, while the "Active Comfort" line focuses on active users or rehabilitation patients. Well known in the USA, The Comfort Company now announces plans for Europe, Australia and the Mid-East: The Comfort Company has chosen Med Services to develop its sales network. Med Services will select top distributors and dealers of disability products and mobility aids to distribute the new brand.

Mr. Evans Innes, Director of Sales said: "The Comfort Company is currently one of the top manufacturers of seating and positioning systems. We are rapidly expanding due to the fact that we have excellent products for rehabilitation and geriatric patients and we can customize. With over 90% of our sales derived from the US we are now seeking to develop internationally."

Gene Emmer, President of Med Services said: "Med Services is proud to represent The Comfort Company. They have an excellent reputation in the disability industry and are well known in the USA for quality and customer service" Dr Emmer noted further "We encourage distributors and dealers of mobilit, disability and hospital products interested in obtaining rights to Comfort Company brands to contact us. To give all dealers and distributors an opportunity to become acquainted with the quality of these products, we are offering an opportunity to purchase a sample package at a special introductory price. For details of this offer, see: http://www.NewDisability.com "

About The Comfort Company:
The Comfort Company has been recognized as one of the US industry leaders in seating and positioning since 1987. The Comfort Company prides itself on its excellent customer service. For more information: http://www.comfortcompany.com and http://www.therehabcompany.com

About Med Services Europe:
Specializing in Sales, Marketing and Business Development for manufacturers of medical and disability products, we have established the European distribution network for Colours Wheelchair. For more information: http://www.NewDisability.com http://www.MedServicesEurope.com. Contact: Dr. Gene Emmer +41764249963

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/the-comfort-company-announces-european-launch-5512.htm

Zurich, -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/15/2014 -- Zurich, Switzerland -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/27/2006 -- A new website has been launched which is meant to be a platform for disability manufacturers and distributors at http://www.NewDisability.com. The website is intended to advance the commercialization of innovative disability products.

Dr. Gene Emmer, President of Med Services Europe announced the launch of "New Disability" (http://www.NewDisability.com) a website dedicated to innovative disability products. According to Dr Emmer the goal of New Disability is to be a platform to advance the commercialization of assistive technology.

"We want 'New Disability' to be a meeting place where members of the disabled community can discuss disability equipment needs and opportunities" Explained Dr. Emmer. "One of the central parts of the website will be a discussion forum where everyone interested in the topic of products for the disabled will be invited to participate. We hope that by offering an open forum where people can share ideas and suggestions, we can facilitate the progress of the industry. For example, if someone has a suggestion for an exciting disability aids , Med Services Europe can help them to bring it to the market. There will also be the opportunity for people who have had a problem with a disability product to leave a comment. The website administration will then follow up and, where appropriate, will take contact with the product's manufacturer."

About Med Services Europe: Med Services Europe GmbH is based in Zurich, Switzerland and specializes in Sales, Marketing and Business Development for the Medical industry. Med Services Europe helps manufacturers to build sales of their products. We are the European representative for Colours Wheelchairs, a US manufacturer of ultra lightweight wheelchairs http://www.colourswheelchair.com Manufacturers, distributors and retailers of disability products are encouraged to contact Med Services Europe. For more information: http://www.MedServicesEurope.com or http://www.NewDisability.com or Telephone: +41764249963

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/new-website-to-be-platform-for-disability-industry-5024.htm

Zurich, -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/15/2014 -- Zurich, Switzerland -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/23/2006 -- Many people equate assistive technology with sophisticated electronic devices. This report dispels the confusion around assistive technology and encourages the reader to share their experiences in a new website at http://www.NewDisability.com

Assistive technology, sometimes known as Adaptive Technology, includes devices or equipment used to maintain, increase or improve the abilities of individuals with disabilities. Dr. Gene Emmer of Med Services Europe explained, "It is important to realize that assistive technology is NOT only computer programs or electronic devices. Since many people think of computers when thinking of technology, this is a common mistake. Assistive technology doesn't have to be high-tech, but it should serve the purpose of "assistance" and can include anything from a stick one uses to reach for something to a walker or a wheelchair, to more complex items such as environmental controls or adapted vehicles."

This means that assistive technology has existed since the first homo sapiens picked up a branch to help himself over rough terrain. Sophisticated forms of assistive technology date back for centuries as well, as the 6th century saw an image of a wheelchair being carved in stone on a Chinese sarcophagus. Today, assistive technology is available to support many common disabilities. For example assistive technology may:

- Provide help with communication, such as speech, writing and typing aids
- Help people with difficulty accessing a computer with the standard keyboard and mouse. They include software programs such as a screen reader or on-screen keyboard and hardware, such as a head operated mouse.
- Provide exercises that stimulate train and assess cognitive functioning.
- Assist with daily living such as cooking, dressing, toileting, bathing, eating
- Provide assistance with hearing or visual limitations such as flashing light system for the doorbell, hearing aids and closed caption decoders for TV.
- Provide assistance with mobility such as wheelchairs, walkers and canes.
- Help with missing or disabled limbs such as artificial limbs, braces, supports
- Allow disabled individuals to take part in sporting or leisure activities.
- Support the muscular-skeletal systems and maintain positions needed to perform desired activities, such as moulded seats, lumbar supports, and modifications to wheelchairs would fall into this category.
- Improve access to print materials such as Braille devices and translators, and large button telephones.

Dr Emmer said "We have created a new website at http://www.NewDisability.com which is designed to be a platform for communication between the disabled community and the assistive technology industry. This could help to catalyze future developments of assistive technology. There is a forum where visitors can express their feedback about all kinds of innovative assistive technology. We want to hear about personal experiences, about what products people like or dislike. Users, manufactures and distributors are encouraged to visit the new website and share their visions of the future of assistive technology"

About the Author: Dr. Gene Emmer is President of Med Services Europe (http://www.MedServicesEurope.com). Med Services Europe markets disability products in Europe and has built the European distribution network for Colours Wheelchairs (http://www.ColoursWheelchair.com). Manufacturers of Innovative Disability Products and Assistive Technologies who seek to increase their European sales are encouraged to contact us at: http://www.NewDisability.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/assistive-technology-past-present-and-future-4972.htm

Zurich, -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/15/2014 -- Zurich, Switzerland -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/1/2006 -- Wheelchairs have been around for hundreds of years, but early wheelchairs were intended only to help a disabled individual move from point A to point B. As society progressed and disabled individuals became more integrated, the role of the wheelchair began to change as well. Wheelchairs are now considered not only a means of transportation but also as a way to allow users to express their individuality. Users can find custom-made high quality ultra-light high-performance wheelchairs as well as accessories that enable them to individualize their look and style. The move from functionality to individuality is discussed in this article.

Visit http://www.newdisability.com/functionalitytoindivid.htm to see this article with photos

There were many attempts to connect furniture to wheels dating back to the time of Christ. But perhaps the first wheelchair was invented for King Phillip II of Spain. A drawing of the King dated 1595 shows him in a chair with wheels, armrests and footrests. However, he needed assistance to propel it and the chair resembled more a modern baby's highchair than a wheelchair of today. In 1665 one of the first self-propelled vehicles was invented by Stephan Farfler. But it looked more like a present day hand-bike than a wheelchair as it was propelled by hand cranks attached to the front wheel. The modern wheelchair began to take shape in the late 19th century to early 20th century with the advent of push rims for self-propulsion and slings for seat and backrests. The 20th century saw a rapid development in wheelchairs, from the first motorized wheelchair, to the first folding wheelchair, to lightweight and sports wheelchairs.

The most recent two decades have seen the progress in the modern wheelchair accelerate. They are lighter and perform better than ever before. There are now many possibilities available to improve the ride, from suspension systems which help to remove vibrations and jolts, to ultra-light weight frames which enable better performance, to special designs for every individualized need and taste. The recent trend is towards customization. Customized wheelchairs are now being requested for many reasons:

- fitting special physical needs
- improving or providing special performance
- expressing style and image

Customization of the wheelchair to fit some special needs of the user can include simple modifications of standard designs or creating an entirely unique design. Imagine a mother who is a triple amputee. How will she move herself and her baby? Special wheelchairs can now be designed to help her. For example a user with an amputated arm can use a special wheel which has dual handrims to allow both wheels to be controlled with one hand. The wheelchair can also be modified so that it stretched in front, allowing the child seat to be attached to the wheelchair in front of the mother. Other examples may include designing extra long or extra short wheelchairs for very tall or small users or reinforced wheelchairs for heavy users or specialized devices for users that have limited motor control or functions. Customized wheelchairs are now being regularly designed to accommodate nearly every special need.

Individualizing wheelchairs for performance is often required for athletes or very active users. This can include creating special wheelchairs for dance with the ideal center of gravity which help the user to perform spins and complicated maneuvers with ease. Dancers with limited motor control can have special handles created which allow their able bodied partners to assist them in their turns or maneuvers. Tennis players can have special requirements like reverse tilt seating position where the back of the seat is higher than the front, in order to give increased power in the arm and body movements. Rugby players need specially designed wheelchairs that can take a very hard hit without damaging the wheelchair or the occupant.

Customization for performance is not only for athletes, it can also improve the comfort for everyday users. Frames can be custom designed to fit the individual's body like a glove. Also, customized wheelchairs are lighter and usually perform better. Most mass produced wheelchairs are made by using adjustable brackets to hold the frame together so that a prefabricated wheelchair can be adjusted to fit different individual's sizes and requirements. However, these brackets create weight. Customized wheelchairs are made to fit the individual that they are created for. Instead of using adjustable brackets, the wheelchair parts are welded together. This means that the wheelchair is not at all adjustable, so it must be designed correctly by an experienced professional. However, since welds are lighter than brackets, customized wheelchairs are considerably lighter. They also usually perform better since the energy from the push may be lost in small movement within the brackets.

Customization can also individualize the look and style. Wheelchairs can be painted with special colors or designs, upholstery can be made to order, lighted casters, funky spoke guards with individualized patterns and bling-bling wheels with rotating spinners give the wheelchair a very unique look. Accessories can be purchased to complete the look. Leather, zip-on, frame covers can give an elegant style and bags made from material to match the upholstery can complete the look.

Advances in assistive technology, such as the recent progress in wheelchair design make it easier for disabled individuals to integrate into society. But even with new technology, users would not be able to integrate without public access and funding to purchase the new technology. The best wheelchair in the world would not help a disabled person to move about if society did not provide ramps, special doors and other infrastructure to enable access to public spaces, transportation, sidewalks and roads. And while in some countries laws have been created and public funds have been set aside to help disabled people integrate, in many other countries access is not yet available and wheelchair users are left at home. In such countries wheelchair individualization is still a thing of the future. Assistive technology can improve the wheelchair but it takes a progressive society to improve the surrounding world.

About The Authors: Dr. Gene Emmer and Galina Soldatenko manage Med Services Europe: Med Services Europe GmbH is based in Zurich, Switzerland and specializes in Sales, Marketing and Business Development for the Medical industry. Med Services Europe helps manufacturers to build sales of their products. We are the European representative for Colours Wheelchairs, a US manufacturer of ultra lightweight and customized wheelchairs Colours N Motion . Manufacturers, distributors and retailers of disability products are encouraged to contact Med Services Europe. For more information: Med Services Europe or New Disability or Telephone: +41764249963

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/custom-wheelchairs-the-trend-from-functionality-to-individuality-5101.htm