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Christine
Stopka |
Assistive
Technology: A Review of Rifton Equipment
By KATIE DENDY
Assistive
technology can be a vital component
in the daily lives of individuals with
disabilities, and especially children
with disabilities. It is reported that
approximately one in six children have
a disability that impairs them in the
classroom (Hasselbring, 2000). As a
result, learning time in the classroom
will be shortened if teachers or aides
work with these impairments without
assistive or adaptive technology. Assistive
technologies can range from computer
technologies, to hearing or visual devices,
to mobility equipment, among others.
It enables individuals to perform daily
tasks more efficiently in and out of
the classroom, and can empower them
to complete any task they desire.
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| Rifton
is an assistive equipment company that
specializes in adapted equipment for
children. Rifton's
technological devices encourage mobility,
standing, sitting, transferring, and
personal hygiene. This review examines
four pieces of equipment: the Support
Station, SoloLift, Pacer Gait Trainer,
and an Adaptive Tricycle. These technologies
are important to note, because they
increase efficiency in transport, hygiene,
and other activities, thus allowing
more time for educational opportunities
in the classroom.
Rifton
Support Station
The Rifton
Support Station is a wall-mounted
device that enables individuals with
disabilities to support themselves during
personal care. It allows them the freedom
to use the toilet with less assistance
from others. The Support Station is
flexible, compact, and can hold up to
250 pounds. The floor carries the weight
of the Support Station, and the trunk
can be adjusted to a vertical or horizontal
position. The station allows for upright
diaper changes, and enables assistants
to change children more efficiently.
Because the device gives more freedom
and mobility to the individual, it also
increases their physical activity, providing
them more opportunity to increase their
fitness levels.
Other benefits
of the station include its ability to
reduce lifting injuries and allowing
for easier transfers from wheelchairs
(The Support Station, n.d.). The Support
Station can be an imperative tool for
individuals with disabilities because
of the characteristics described above,
and because it frees them from staff
support in personal hygiene situations,
thus increasing self-esteem.
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Design
• Flexible in environments
• Weight carried by floor
• Holds up to 250 lbs
•
Compact
• 8 inches of space
when folded
• Trunk adjusted
vertical or horizontal |
source |
Benefits
• Allows transfers from wheelchairs
• Upright diaper changes
• Easy to clean
•
Enables assistants to change children
more efficiently, allowing more
time in class
• Allows
for more mobility which increases
physical activity
• Develop
toileting skills
• Reduce
lifting injuries
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SoloLift
Another type of Rifton technology
is the SoloLift.
This is a type of transfer device
that transports an individual
into a gait pacer without needing
an assistant to lift them. The
SoloLift is a contoured pivot
mechanism that uses a vest to
wrap around the child in order
to transfer them to the pacer.
The device lifts from the waist,
and is comfortable for many body
types.
Other benefits of the SoloLift
include being simple to operate
and little to no assembly required.
Due to its ability to lift and
transfer the child to the gait
pacer, it decreases the amount
of staff assistance needed, thus
reducing potential staff injury
(SoloLift, n.d.). It is a highly
developed device that can save
time and energy in child transfers.
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Design
• Contoured pivot mechanism
with vest
• Comfortable for many body
types
• Can move individual from
seat to standing device
• Lifts from waist
• Front loading
Benefits
• Simple to operate, small,
no assembly
• Less staff assistance
needed
• Decrease injuries to staff
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source |
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Rifton
Pacer
The third type of equipment I
will review is the Rifton
Pacer Gait Trainer. This is
a gait device that supports individuals
entirely in an upright position.
This position enables the child
to take steps and be fully supported
while working on their gait patterns.
The Pacer functions like a regular
walker, and is adaptable to a
wide range of users. It has arm,
chest, and thigh prompts that
are easy to adjust and move, and
allow the device to fit to varying
body types or abilities.
There also is a hip positioner
that aides in bearing the child's
weight, which can provide them
with greater mobility in their
legs if they have little strength
in their lower extremities. As
a result of the device's adaptability
with the adjustable prompts, it
can easily grow with the child,
making it a practical investment
for mobility (Pacer Gait Trainer,
n.d.).
| Design
• Functions like a regular
walker
• Arm prompts are easy to
adjust and move
• Chest prompt fixes to
frame and is adjustable
• Hip positioner assists
in bearing weight
• Thigh prompts hold knees
in or out
• Wheels can lock
• Aluminum strength with
metal joints
Benefits
• Can grow with child
• Adaptable to a range of
users
• Tested under hundreds
of pounds of pressure
• Enables freedom to move |
source |
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Rifton
Tricycle
The Adaptive
Tricycle is another technology
engineered by Rifton. While it
is a tricycle adapted for individuals
with disabilities, its appearance
still resembles an ordinary tricycle.
Its adaptations include: a low
transfer step for easier access
on the tricycle; a parking brake,
seat belt, and chest strap for
added safety; and an optional
guide bar that can help a child
with direction (Adaptive Tricycle,
n.d.).
The Adaptive
Tricycle can be an important
tool for a child to increase their
physical activity, develop motor
skills, and most importantly perform
activities like any other child.
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Design
• Steel frame
• Puncture proof tires
• Look and feel like other
tricycles
• Low transfer step
• Parking brake
• Seat belt, chest straps
• Guide bar
Benefits
• Simple, easy to adjust
• Over-steering prevented
• Looks similar to regular
tricycles |
source |
It is apparent from these devices that
assistive technology can be an essential
tool for individuals, especially children
with disabilities. The four Rifton mechanisms
reviewed, the Support
Station, SoloLift,
Pacer
Gait Trainer, and Tricycle
not only increase mobility, but allow
for easier transfers, greater range
of physical activity, and improve personal
hygiene. Using these adaptations can
improve a child's self esteem, and can
improve efficiency in situations in
and out of the classroom which can ultimately
lead to greater success for each child.
references
- Adaptive Tricycle [Motion
picture]. (n.d.). United States: Rifton.
- Hasselbring, T. S., & Williams,
C. H. (2000, Fall/Winter). Use of
Technology to Help Students with Special
Needs. The Future of Children,
10(2), 102-122. Retrieved September
11, 2007, from http://www.futureofchildren.org
- Pacer Gait Trainer [Motion
picture]. (n.d.). United States: Rifton.
- The Support Station [Motion
picture]. (n.d.). United States: Rifton.
- SoloLift [Motion picture].
(n.d.). United States: Rifton.
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