Dr.
Gregg
Vanderheiden, a pioneer in the technology and disability field, and
director of the University of Wisconsin’s Trace Research and
Development Center, stated that even those that do not consider
themselves disabled now, have a good chance of becoming disabled
at some point in their lives. He adds that the number of
Americans with limitations increases with each age group.
Vanderheiden adds that more than13 out of every100, 35 to 44 year old
Americans currently have a functional limitation. People with
functional limitations may need a walker or cane to move around, a
hearing aid to hear, or magnification or large print to read.
He also says that about 3 out of every 100, 35 to 44 year old Americans
have a severe functional limitation. People in this group may be
crippled, deaf, or blind.
“The number of people with limited and functional disabilities has
increased the demand for products to assist them at becoming more fully
able-bodied,” adds Dr. Sahr Bockai of Neighborhood Pharmacy, who has
seen his sales in home health care equipment from wheelchairs to
hospital beds increase. Also, the passage of the Rehabilitation
Act Amendment of 1998, in particular Section 508, and the American with
Disabilities Act of 1990 have added additional incentives for
manufacturers to develop products to assist the physically challenged
and their helpers.
The 1998 Act requires U.S. Federal government agencies to provide
employees with and without disabilities comparable access. The
1990 Act prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for
persons with disabilities in employment, state and local government
services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and
transportation.
In response to the situation, the Matias Corporation, for instance,
developed the Matias 508 keyboard. The keyboard is a standard
keyboard, but with a flip of a switch, it becomes useful to one-handed
typists.
One-handed typists still place their
hand where it would normally be
for one half of the keyboard. To type the letters on the other
half, the one-handed typist holds down the space bar with his or her
thumb and perform the same finger movement that he or she would do with
the other hand.Many of the new items developed to assist people with
disabilities are now becoming available in community pharmacies.
“We began carrying electric chairs in 2004,” said Edmond Borbor,
general manager of Neighborhood Pharmacy on Martin Luther King, Jr.
Avenue in Southeast Washington. Unlike national chain pharmacies,
community pharmacies often have the electric power scooters in their
store. “Besides the chairs on display, we have additional models
in our catalog,” added Bockai.
Before getting a chair, patients who are making the purchase through
their insurance company, Medicaid, or Medicare, must get a
recommendation from their doctor. “The recommendation is usually
written on a 1719A form,” explained Borbor. The seller then
submits it to the government for approval. Once approved,
Medicaid or Medicare may cover 80% or more of the cost.
“Sometimes, the customer’s supplemental insurance pays the rest and we
can fill the order,” continued Bockai.
Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that even foreign-flagged cruise
ships, which historically have not been regulated by U.S. law, must
follow federal laws that bar discrimination against people with
disabilities. However, the lower courts will decide exactly what
changes they will have to adopt. Such laws said Bockai, “provides
opportunities for people to more fully enjoy life.” |
Dr. Sahr Bockai
1932 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., SE
Washington, D.C. 20020
Tel 202-889-1119
Fax 202-889--1560
Monday thru Friday 9a to 6p
Saturday 10a to 4p
Functional
Limitations by Age
|
Age
|
35-44
|
45-54
|
55-64
|
65-69
|
70+
|
Percent Functional
Limitation
|
13.4
|
23
|
34.2
|
45.4
|
72.5
|
Percent Severe Functional
Limitation
|
3
|
6
|
12
|
18.5
|
41
|
Source: Trace Research and
Development
|
|
|
|
