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Welcome to TiLite's June 2007 e-newsletter. This issue updates you on TiLite’s pediatric growth chairs, the YG and YGS, the fight to insure access to the equipment you need, TiLite and the other members of the Users First exhibiting at the AbilitiesExpo Long Beach, and more. Enjoy the newsletter! As always, thank you for choosing TiLite.
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The TiLite YG/YGS is the only titanium chair of its kind--designed specifically with the growth of your pediatric clients in mind. The unique width and depth adjustments are simple to change and allow the practitioner to maximize chair configuration and fit.
Made with 1” titanium tubing, the YG/YGS will accommodate most seating systems and is strong enough to hold up to the most active young user! And a tie-down option is now available! The huge variety of options, including swing away or fixed front riggings, make this a versatile chair that weighs less and is easier to self propel than all of its counterparts.
learn more about the YG/YGS at tilite.com |
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Your access to high end rehab equipment, such as TiLite wheelchairs, high end power chairs, seating systems and cushions, is severely threatened! Under a law passed by Congress in 2003, Medicare is starting to implement competitive bidding for durable medical equipment, including high end rehab equipment. The bidding process has begun and this new program will begin to affect wheelchair users in April 2008. Under this program, only the lowest bidders will be able to provide complex rehab equipment to Medicare beneficiaries. Sure that will save Medicare some money, but it will also limit your choice of wheelchair—what is the likelihood that the supplier will provide a TiLite or a similar product when there is a cheap import at half the price? And if the supplier you have worked with for years doesn’t win, then you won’t be able to deal with them any more. And don’t make the mistake of thinking that since you rely on private insurance or Medicaid that this won’t affect you because it will. For starters, these other payers now base their pricing on Medicare’s pricing, so if Medicare’s pricing descreases so will theirs! The bottom line is that this competitive bidding law is severely flawed as it relates to complex rehab equipment. If we are unable to get this law changed, some day soon it will become much more difficult for wheelchair users to obtain the proper equipment that they need and deserve.
TiLite, along with many other manufacturers and equipment suppliers, has been working closely with NCART, the National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology, to ensure that users have appropriate access to quality equipment. As a result of these efforts, a bill has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representative (HR 2231) that would exempt complex rehab equipment from Medicare’s competitive bidding program—it is generally known as the “rehab carveout bill”. Complex rehab includes items such a as power and manual chairs that are custom built to the user’s unique specifications – they are not commodity products. This bill will not pass without extensive support from the wheelchair user community and from the healthcare providers that serve this community. Please take the time to visit the following link and learn more about HR 2231: www.complexrehab.org. The link will provide you with valuable information on how you can make a difference. Contact your congressman today and let them know they MUST support HR 2231! |
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TiLite, Permobil and Roho, the founding members of The Users First Alliance will all be exhibiting at the Abilities Expos in Long Beach, California June 15-17 at the Long Beach Convention Center. The Abilities Expo is the consumer show for independent and assisted living products and services. The Abilities Expo remains dedicated to helping improve the lives of people with disabilities. Only at the Abilities Expo will you be able to spend hours on the exhibit floor, testing and comparing products and services offered by state of the art exhibitors. The Abilities Expo also offers a full line up of FREE consumer and professional workshops, offered by leading individuals in the healthcare, education, and retail fields.
We will look for you at the show! Our booth’s numbers are:
TiLite 529
Roho 628
Permobil 523
Can’t make it to Long Beach? There is still one more Abilities Expo in Minneapolis, Minnesota September 7-9 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
Get more information on the Abilities Expos at www.abilitiesexpo.com. |
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For almost seven years, TiLite has had the pleasure of working with several international companies. We would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of those distributors who have been a part of the TiLite family for at least five years!
Acare Medical Equipment, Hong Kong – 2001
Access International, Japan – 2000
EmCart, Netherlands - 2002
Gerald Simonds Healthcare, United Kingdom - 2001
Hoga Roll, Switzerland – January 2000
Invacare, New Zealand – 2001
PT Keskus Oy, Finland – March 2000
R Shal, Israel - 2002 |
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TiLite would like to welcome Dajana Blom, daughter of Loek Blom, EmCart CEO to the TiLite team. Over the past five years, TiLite has developed a strong relationship with this distributor from the Netherlands because we both share the vision of helping our customers live independently with superior mobility products. Dajana is completing a marketing internship at TiLite and has immersed herself in the experience of working with a high-end wheelchair manufacturer. Dajana was instrumental in working on this edition of the Eye On Ti newsletter, and has been busy observing production and updating the TiLite database. She will also be attending the Abilities Expo in Long Beach in June to get a better understanding of the impact of TiLite products in the United States. TiLite’s internship program gives college students the opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes to design, test, build and market the world’s leading high-end wheelchair. |
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Where does your TiLite take you? Ti SpotLite features a photo of a Ti user pursuing life's pleasures with their TiLite. If you are interested in being featured please click here and enter a photo and testimonial. We look forward to hearing from you!
Chair: TiLite ZRA
Shari Crowel from Texas Writes:
I could probably write a book, so I'll try to keep it short. I have been in a wheelchair for a little over 5 years. This is the 3rd wheelchair I have had but it is the best by far. I get so many compliments on it. I'm very active, a single mother of a 6 year old son and I go to the soccer and baseball fields. I also attend many school activities and do my own shopping, and still manage to take care of my home. I really put myself out there. Ever since my accident I have wanted things to stay "as normal" as possible, and I feel this chair has made it easier to do that! Thank you TiLite!! |
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TiLite is searching for an experienced design engineer to add strength to our growing R&D Team. If you are an engineer with strong leadership characteristics and you are looking for a unique challenge, then TiLite is the place for you.
Applicants must have long-term engineering or rehab engineering experience in the design of wheelchairs, bicycles or similar tubular products. Applicant must also be proficient in the use of the following software: Microsoft Office, Solidworks, including FEA and motion studies, and AutoCAD. In addition, engineering experience with some or all of the following is required:
• Injection molding
• Metals casting and extruding
• Composites
Duties for this position will include:
• Product design
• Project management
• Bills of materials
All interested applicants, please send a resume by fax to 509-586-2413 attention Alan Ludovici, Vice President of Engineering, or by e-mail to aludovici@titlite.com. |
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The Aero Z is not the only thing with new colors for summer (pink and purple frame colors in case you forgot). Check out the graphics on the latest TiLite t-shirts, with retro racing stripes down the back and the TiLite logo centered on the front. The T-shirts are 100% cotton Hanes Beefy T’s™ with Seamless rib collarets, shoulder-to-shoulder tape and double-needle throughout. Available colors: Ti Red or Black.
Order online at www.tilite.com/store.
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