Ontario Centres of Excellence’s (OCE) first ever Accessibility Innovation Showcase, an official event of the 2015 Parapan Am Games, took place from August 8 to 10 at the MaRS Discovery District in downtown Toronto. More than 50 companies were able to connect with investors and showcase innovations in technologies and assistive devices that may be of great interest to personal injury lawyers and their clients.
“The kick-off of the 2015 Parapan Am Games is the perfect time to showcase innovative Ontario-based companies creating life-changing accessible technologies,” said Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Employment, and Infrastructure, Brad Duguid, in a news release. “Our government is proud to invest in the skills and talents of our people and businesses that are creating new products to help people with disabilities achieve their full potential.”
Among the exhibitors at the showcase was GestureTek Systems, a Toronto-based company providing gesture-controlled technology for immersive displays, signs, surfaces, and full body games. GestureTek’s virtual reality technology could be of particular interest to personal injury lawyers representing injury victims who suffer from a disability. Virtual reality is sometimes used as a rehabilitation technique, which has been found to increase the independence and confidence of participants.
The Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital’s Bloorview Research Institute (BRI) was also present at the showcase. On August 8, they exhibited a number of different innovations, including a vocal cord vibration switch known as the “Hummer.”
The Hummer is a variety of access technology which allows children with severe physical disabilities, including a lack of functional speech or reliable movement, to communicate and participate in activities. According to BRI literature, the Hummer “converts vocal cord vibrations into binary control signals for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), environmental control, and computer access.” The device, which is designed for people unable to form words but still capable of vocalization, is already being used by dozens of children.
Companies were invited to participate in the Accessibility Tech Pitch competition, which was ultimately won by
Legworks, who developed a next-generation prosthetic knee for amputees. The high-performing, durable, and low-maintenance prosthetic allows amputees to walk efficiently, safely, and at multiple speeds. Its affordability makes it a viable choice in both the developed and developing world, and should raise hopes of increased accessibility and mobility for severe accident victims and the personal injury lawyers representing them. Legworks plans to use the $20,000 first prize to outfit 200 amputees in developing countries with its prosthetic.
“Winning the Accessibility Innovation Showcase Tech Pitch was amazing validation of our product and social business model,” said Legworks’ co-CEO Emily Mochizuki. “Our goal is for every amputee around the world to walk with confidence on affordable and high-performing prosthetic devices.”
The Accessibility Innovation Showcase is an excellent example of business and government coming together in search of solutions to the many challenges faced by accident victims, personal injury victims, and disabled people in Ontario. Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers team of personal injury lawyers will fight to ensure personal injury victims and their families receive the compensation, care, and support they need. If you or a member of your family has been injured, contact Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers at 416-920-4242 for a free consultation today.
Greg Neinstein
Latest posts by Greg Neinstein (see all)
- Do I have a personal injury case? - April 23, 2019
- Are your insurance premiums high? Check your postal code - April 17, 2019
- This was an unusually harsh winter for slip-and-falls - April 11, 2019