With biofeedback abilities unrivalled in current products, the Tensegrity foot (currently in research) promises an entirely different experience for people who have lost a foot. With a flexible mid-foot joint, and spring loaded heel, a natural and rhythmic walking gate has been the goal of the inventors and it looks like they’re well on their way to putting their best foot forward.

Council representatives and housing bosses attended an event to mark the completion of a new state of housing development by Lancashire’s New Progress Housing Association this week.

The development, which has taken just over a year to complete, will provide much needed accommodation for people aged over 55 in the village of Hutton. The eight high quality bungalows are now available for affordable rent or for shared ownership and the first tenants are expected to move in next month.

Sadly, many amputees end up on the wrong side of a decision making process when undergoing “elective” amputation, such as the type of elective surgery a person with cancer may choose to make. The decision isn’t whether or not to go ahead with the surgery, but the decision of the beancounters at your typical insurance company. Read on.

Teens at Metheune High took on the challenge of creating assistive technology devices with a maximum cost of only $150.00 in the latest Assistive Technology Design Fair at University of Massachusetts. The young inventors came up with several workable ideas, including a PVC based walker, an arts table to assist mobility challenged users in coloring and painting, and a “Head Activated Messeger” for those who are severely impacted in normal communication methods. To read more about these amazing teens, and their wonderful contributions, visit the Eagle Tribune.

Researchers at the University of Alabama Birmingham have been extensively testing the OtisKnee Custom Fit Knee Replacement system. In 19 of 25 users hospital stay was shortened significantly, and patients were walking unassisted within 6 weeks.

Dean Kamen is a legend in many industries, but perhaps not many know that much of his inspiration has come from a personal desire to help the physically challenged. Today, word comes from Wired about his latest invention, a mind-controlled robotic prosthetic arm. Check it out.

Developmentally and motor impaired children can discover the joy of coloring with these specially designed crayons. As an added bonus, they’re environmentally friendly!

Music and pets have long been known to provide solace and inspiration to those facing daily challenges in living. Chamber Music Today has posted an article about assistive technologies available to elderly and disabled people which aid them to continue their musical inclinations and activities.

The rapidly increasing number of retires from the Baby Boomer era has had widespread impact on the housing and architectural community. Baby Boomers are building new homes, built and designed from the ground up with the mobility needs associated with aging in mind. The change in lifestyle of the typical American family unit has lead them to the conclusion that their children are not going to be able to care for them as they often did for their parents, and, like most people, they want to stay in their own home rather than enter care facilities as they grow older. The impact of this phenomena is discussed in the Honolulu Advertiser, where Hawaiians face not only an aging population, but less available facilities for those needing full time care. In some cases, Medicare/Medicaid will even help with construction fees.

Many arthritis sufferers just ‘gut through it’ accepting that limited mobility is part of their lot in life. It turns out that use of the the familiar and most common of assistive technology devices, the simple walking cane, can actually alleviate symptoms and progression of the problem at least 20% of the time. […]