Dozens of New Products and Services to Be Introduced at Abilities Expo/Southern Californina to Be Held in Long Beach, CA.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

Abilities Expo/Southern Californina

MILFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 28, 2003

Special Events will include Performances by Hi Hopes,

Sports Demonstrations and Presentations to two California Legislators

From June 6-8, 2003, dozens of news products and services will be showcased at Abilities Expo/Southern California, the leading consumer show and conference for individuals with disabilities as well as for their family members, caregivers, senior citizens and healthcare and education professionals. This three-day trade show and conference will be held at the Long Beach Convention Center in California.

During this key industry event, attendees will get a first-hand look, the latest products being introduced to this $1 billion market including vans, clothing, lifts, wheelchairs, toys, support services, computers, sports and exercise equipment, daily living aids, personal care products and much more. As of press time, the following exhibiting companies provided information about the products and services they will be showcasing on the show floor.

Accessible Disability Accommodation

Paul Uskevicz, 888/661-5438 ([e-mail])

Full line of construction of new or remodeled - grab bars to a new home elevator, stair elevators, overhead track systems, electric door openers, pool lifts. Whatever brings mobility in a home.

Accessible San Diego 

Myron Ross, 858/279-0704 ([e-mail])

"Access in San Diego" guide, an insiders guide for the worlds most accessible destination. ASD is a resource and information center for seniors, veterans, and travelers with disabilities.

Advanced Mobility Inc.

Jim Mayfield, 818/780-1788 (www.advanced-mobility.com)

Advanced Mobility is a national mobility equipment and quality assurance member. AMI sells NHTSA compliant full size and mini vans. AMI provides service and repairs by certified technicians and designs and fabricates custom mobility equipment. AMI has an accessible rental fleet and is LA's only Toyota Sienna mobility dealer.

Allview Mirrors Corporation

Evan Joe, 626/968-3798 ([e-mail])

The Smart-Clip(TM) ALLVIEW(TM) Mirror, helps the disabled and everyday driver alike eliminate blind spots while offsetting distortion, reduce glare for safer night driving, solve tunnel vision and distortion. The Smart-Clip(TM) ALLVIEW(TM) Mirror provides full rear traffic view without turning your head letting you judge exactly what you see, eliminating misjudgments and guesswork to insure safe and accurate lane changes.

Altimate Medical, Inc.

Bryanne Freitag, 800/342-8968 ([e-mail])

Ovation Strap Stand accommodates adults from 5' to 6'5" and up to 350lbs, allowing users to stand directly from their wheelchair. No transferring is required. Specially designed lifting arms greatly reduce pressure on knees. The Easy Stand Magician is an early intervention stander for pre-schoolers, than can be positioned anywhere between sitting and standing with full access to the desk. A conversion kit is available that allows for years of growth.

Aquatic Access Inc.

Liz Waters, 502/425-5817 ([e-mail])

Pool Lift Model 1GAT-180AD

Barrier Free Lifts

Ted Hensley, 800/582-8732 ([e-mail])

The All-in-One 440lb., introduced March 2003 is a convertible mobile floor model lift. Used to sit-to-stand or a total lift, it lifts 440lbs. The UniLex Sling is a combination of two popular sling styles made of silky, rip resistant parachute material.

BioDerm, Inc.

Amber Bailey, 727/507-7655 ([e-mail])

BioDerm's External Continence Device(SM) (ECD(SM)) for men seals only to the tip of the penis. Urine flows away keeping skin dry. This special catheter is made of latex-free, skin-friendly hydrocolloid. The ECD makes a custom seal even to retracted anatomy, allows for intermittent catheterization and is used by NASA astronauts.

Bruno Independent Living Aids

Jack Sheehan, 262/567-4990 (www.bruno.com)

Bruno's new OFFSET Foldaway (ASL-450) lift eliminates the process of taking apart a trunk lift. Simply rotate the partially assembled scooter into the trunk, fold down the lift and you're on your way.

Clarke Healthcare Products Inc.

Gerard Clarke, 724/695-2122 ([e-mail])

"CORZO" Folding Stroller, is a new folding mobile positioning stroller in 4 sizes with many accessories for seating and positioning.

Freedom Designs, Inc.

Margaret Polak, 805/582-0077 ([e-mail])

Gizmo Folding Tilt in Space, is a new state-of-the-art sleek looking wheelchair that lightweight versatile frame with many options. It weighs 20 pounds without hangers and wheels and offer the innovative "hub lock."

Independence Technology, LLC 

Jay Van Vechten, 561/243-2900 ([e-mail])

Independence Technology, LLC, a Johnson & Johnson Company will showcase the INDEPENDENCE(TM) iGLIDE(TM) Manual Assist Wheelchair which operates similarly to a conventional manual wheelchair, but uses proprietary technology to supplement user input power. To the user, the iGLIDE(TM) Manual Assist Wheelchair feels like a much lighter chair moving over a flat surface regardless of the terrain. Sensors and microprocessors provide motorized assistance, requiring much less effort from the user than required in a traditional manual wheelchair.

Innovation In Motion

Kristan Beard, 260/668-5677 ([e-mail])

400lb. weight capacity Extreme 4x4 (x4) all terrain wheelchair has a new weight capacity of 400lbs. This heavy-duty unit is capable of going on sand, snow, mud and other uneven terrain. The x4 has a range of 19 miles with a top speed of 5 mph.

Natural Access

John Egan, 310/392-9864 ([e-mail])

Dune-Buster, a four big wheel all-terrain wheelchair specially designed for dunes and slopping terrains.

Rusch

Chris Keith, 770/622-6579 ([e-mail])

Rusch is proud to announce the addition of the original Belly Bag, formally of Life Tech Inc., to its already extensive line of urological products. The Belly Bag is an innovative product that will restore mobility and will dramatically increase comfort and quality of life for those who are currently using indwelling catheters.

Stand-Rite Mfg. Co.

Lyndon Kurt, 866/782-6346 ([e-mail])

Stand-Rite Standing Frames, a basic standing frame for the disabled, based on an old standard of the industry. The standing frame has unique features based on simple needs to stand at an erect and stable position, including feet, hips, back and chest. The pediatric stander will grow; adjust with the childs growth, thereby being able to be used for years.

Wheelcare-Inc.

Les Hubner, 800/448-5999 ([e-mail])

Caddy Fold n' Drive Mobilizer, a powerful full-size, completely portable electric scooter. The Caddy's aluminum alloy frame folds in seconds to store vertically or horizontally. The Caddy's total weight is 48 lbs. with Easy-Out batteries removed.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: There will be many other new products available on-site. The products listed above represent information available at press time.)

The show floor and educational program will provide attendees a chance to discover and learn about new products and services. Each day will begin with a performance by Hope University's renowned band Hi Hopes followed by an assortment of sports demonstrations including martial arts by Possibilities Unlimited International, as well as basketball, hockey, football, and quad rugby sponsored by Xtreme Medical. Demonstration schedules will be posted on-site.

In addition, Stand Together, a grass roots organization whose mission is to "put a face on spinal cord injury," will honor two California legislators on June 6 and 7. Assembly member John Dutra, D-Fremont, will accept an award for his sponsorship of AB-750, the Spinal Cord Injury Research for Cure Bill, on June 6. The bill provides state funding of spinal cord injury research for five years. On June 7, Senator Deborah Ortiz, D-Sacramento, will be honored for her support of landmark legislation making California the first state to promote the study of stem cells for treating a vast array of conditions.

Abilities Expo/Southern California will take place on Friday, June 6 - Sunday, June 8, 2003 at The Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, CA. The event is managed and produced by Advanstar Communications, Inc. For more information call 800-385-3085 or visit http://www.abilitiesexpo.com.