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December/January 2001


REHA News

REHACare Draws Thousands

More than 44,500 attendees from around the world congregated in Düsseldorf, Germany, to swap news, product innovations, and business cards at REHACare International 2000 last October. REHACare, the international trade fair concentrating on developments for people with disabities, made the transition from a 2-year to an annual cycle this year.

In addition, the conference title of 20 years was changed from REHA to REHACare to highlight the importance of care in a world with a growing elderly population. "Figures show that the rehabilitation and care markets are inextricably linked," Helmut Winkler, project director of REHACare International 2000, said in his opening address. "We aim to increasingly harness these synergies by expanding the scope of REHACare to include new care-related areas such as facility management, organization, administration, and nutrition and catering."


A demonstration at the Invacare booth

New features included a presentation entitled "Barrier-Free Living for Children," featuring information stands, product displays, a play area, and child care services. Another theme area called "Disabled Persons at Work" gave young people the opportunity to receive practical advice about opportunities in education and in the workplace. Other centers included the Sports Center, the REHA Travel Center, and the Care Competence Center.

Products of interest included ready-made accessible Volkswagen automobiles marketed directly to disabled consumers and an American wheelchair capable of riding over any terrain, including stairs. This Johnson and Johnson IndependenceTM 3000 IBOTTM Transporter, which is tentatively scheduled to be marketed within the next 2 years, will have the capability to raise the user to standing eye level and within reach of high shelves.

REHACare attracted 709 exhibitors from 26 countries, and 5,800 attendees from 35 countries outside of Germany. As partner country, the United States had a US Pavilion featuring American products as well as special programs organized by the US Department of Commerce and the US Consulate. The next REHACare International will take place at the fairgrounds in Düsseldorf on October 2-5, 2001.

MWC Executive Speaks on Rehab Technology

Curtis Pickelle, Senior Executive Vice President of Medical World Communications Inc, Jamesburg, NJ, one of the largest medical publishers in the United States and the publisher of Rehab Management, spoke on the role of rehabilitation technology in the United States at REHACare International 2000 to an audience of international press.

"I was very honored they selected me," Pickelle said. "Attendees were very responsive."


Curtis Pickelle

Pickelle discussed American resources, advances, reimbursement, and diffusion of technology. His information on the number of rehab facilities in the United States, the various special interest groups that lobby for rehab causes, how the United States pays for physical medicine, and the status of disabled people in American culture sparked participation from the audience on the differences and similarities between the US and European systems.

Although Americans have developed advanced technology, Pickelle sees room for growth, particularly in reimbursement. "It was intriguing to me that Germany appeared to be a trendsetter. The climate for reimbursement in Germany is more generous for payment in rehab," Pickelle said, adding that this gives patients access to devices that are not covered in the United States. "The United States could benefit from a glimpse of what is going on at REHACare."

US Consul General Focuses on Progress for the Disabled

Representing the United States, Consul General Daniel E. Harris helped start off REHACare International 2000 with his opening remarks on the progress of the United States and the world in fully integrating the disabled community into society. The United States was chosen as the partner country for REHACare this year.


REHA's Sports Center showcased a variety of sporting and recreational activities for people with disabilities.

Harris discussed the legislative progress made in the United States from Franklin Roosevelt to the present, highlighting developments such as National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Workforce Investment Act, and the Ticket to Work Incentives Improvement Act. He also noted that dozens of leaders from America’s technology sector and research universities recently pledged to make their products and services accessible to people with disabilities.

Still, Harris urged the audience that there is more to be done. "We all know that the finest laws and the most supportive of judiciaries cannot do it alone," he said. "Attitudes, prejudices, and physical obstacles take years to develop and will take years to change. The role of the private sector and of all individuals must not be underestimated."

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