R82 Scallop to be Featured at Smithsonian Cooper Hewitt Access+Ability Exhibition
TORRANCE, Calif., Dec. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Convaid | R82 today announced that the R82 Scallop will be featured in the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum's Access+Ability exhibition, among more than 70 works that aid people of different abilities in social interactions, daily routines, and navigating the environment.
The R82 Scallop has been selected for inclusion in the exhibition that will feature products, projects and services by and for people living with cognitive and sensory disabilities that expand their ability to lead independent lives and engage more fully in the world. Developed by Keira Gwynn, a 24-year old originally from Wales, the portable R82 Scallop special needs seat originally came to life as a university project.
Ms. Gwynn designed the R82 Scallop to aid children living with mild to moderate disabilities in floor sitting and to add extra support while sitting on a chair. "The R82 Scallop encourages long sitting or sitting with slightly bent knees, naturally preventing children from sitting in "W" shape or in a slouching frog position which could be detrimental to health and posture," Ms. Gwynn said.
The design caught the attention of R82 and Ms. Gwynn and R82 entered into a partnership in 2015 which resulted in her coming to Denmark to develop the product and bring it to market. She now works as a Project Leader in the company's Marketing Department.
The R82 Scallop primarily serves children with moderate special needs or behavioral disorders within GMFCS levels I-III, and in some cases may be used for children in GMFCS level IV, for shorter periods of time. Head control is a prerequisite for using the R82 Scallop and the seat is not appropriate for children who have strong extensor spasticity. However, in some cases the R82 Scallop might reduce spasticity because of the enclosing support around the pelvis and trunk it provides with hips optimally positioned by use of a wedge.
Because of its colorful design and crossover application to the typical population, R82 has found that integrating use of the Scallop in social settings promotes integration and socialization.
The exhibition, co-curated by Cara McCarty, Curatorial Director of Cooper Hewitt, and Rochelle Steiner, Curator and Professor of Critical Studies at Roski School of Art & Design, University of Southern California, will be on view from December 15, 2017 through September 3, 2018. Convaid | R82 will provide a number of R82 Scallops for patrons to use during their exhibit visit.
"Cooper Hewitt is committed to accessibility in its broadest sense, with exhibitions and programs that involve communities in thinking about how design can empower users," said Caroline Braumann, director of the museum. "The diversity of works on view in Access+Ability embrace the latest developments in technologies and fabrication methods, along with a user-drive focus on enhancing what people can do when given the opportunity. In partnership with the New York City Mayor's Office of People with Disabilities, the exhibition will be accompanied by our first-ever Cooper Hewitt Lab, to further the dialogue about inclusive design."
Cooper Hewitt is the nation's only museum dedicated to historic and contemporary design, with a collection of over 210,000 design objects spanning thirty centuries. Located in the landmark Andrew Carnegie mansion, the museum offers unique temporary exhibitions and installations alongside its permanent collection. Access specific details on the Access+Ability exhibit here.
"We take great strides to ensure that throughout the design process of all Convaid | R82 products, we marry best-in-class engineering with sleek, modern design. We also incorporate colors and strive to keep weight as low as possible, making all of our pediatric special needs products not only life-enhancing but attractive to view and easy to transport and use," said Nanneke Dinklo, Director, Marketing.
Cooper Hewitt is located at 2 East 91st Street at Fifth Avenue in New York City. Hours are Sunday through Friday, 10a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and the museum is fully accessible. For further information on the exhibit, museum staff can be reached at (212) 849-8400 or at their website.
Convaid | R82 develops and manufactures premium pediatric products typically prescribed for children with mild to moderate involvement of the following conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Spina Bifida, Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Traumatic Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Cystic Fibrosis, Mitochondrial Disease, Metabolic Diseases, and Sensory Processing Disorders, among others.
The Etac Group
For more than 40 years, Etac has developed products and services that create possibilities for users and caregivers. Our products are aimed for people with physical disabilities and their caretakers. We provide a well-designed product range for short and long term care whether this be in the home, hospital or other healthcare setting. Etac's track record in functional, innovative and comfortable products includes a number of international design awards that have repeatedly set new standards in the market. The Etac Group has six product brands; Etac, Immedia, Molift, Star, Convaid and R82.
Convaid | R82
Convaid | R82 enriches the lives of special needs families by developing and manufacturing best-in-class, easy-to-use, convenient and attractive seating, standing, walking / gait, transportation and hygiene products for all stages of a young person's life – from childhood through young adult. We develop products tailored to individual needs. Through comprehensive development, Convaid | R82 is constantly moving forward -- without compromising quality of service and closeness to the customer.
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
Founded in 1897, Cooper Hewitt is the only museum in the United States devoted exclusively to historic and contemporary design. Housed in the renovated and restored Carnegie Mansion, Cooper Hewitt showcases one of the most diverse and comprehensive collections of design works in existence. The museum's restoration, modernization and expansion has won numerous awards and honors and offers a full range of interactive capabilities and immersive creative experiences. Learn more about the Cooper Hewitt design awards and other museum details.
Links
Convaid website | Convaid Facebook | R82 website | R82 Facebook | Etac, Immedia, Molift website
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
To view this video on YouTube, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SiAxw2fIIw
Media Contact: Milena Rimassa, Convaid Products, Inc., 310-618-0111, [email protected]
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