Once someone is taller than 150cm they are too big for a conventional car seat, with all its associated support. Our Voyageur motability belt system means that problem is solved, quickly and unobtrusively.
The inventors themselves have a disabled child. It was their own personal experience that inspired the development of Voyageur, when their child grew too tall for a conventional car seat.
The resulting system is simple.
It comprises just two elements- the Seat Grid tether system and X-Posture Suit of positioning safety belts. You secure each element simply by magnetic buckles, so it is quick for you to attach, fit, and release- even with one hand. You don't even need any tools.
Although designed primarily for car usage, you can attach the universal-sized Seat Grid to any seat where the straps can be passed between base cushion and back.
X-Posture Suit’s belt configuration with shoulder and hip straps means your loved one's torso is secure, stable laterally and vertically and correctly positioned. You achieve abduction to the thighs and stability to the pelvis.
Voyageur is available in two sizes depending on the user’s waist and thigh dimensions.
"Voyageur extends the horizons for so many people who need postural support," says Peter Wingrave, AAT Director.
“So long as there is a suitable seat for Voyageur, it can provide the stable and comfortable support needed to safely enjoy sedentary activity.
"Its use extends beyond going out in the car- sailing, cycling, flying to name a few!”
Voyageur sits alongside our Stabilo range of innovative postural support cushions, including the infinitely adjustable Chilli Bean vacuum posture seat.
You can find out more about Voyageur here: https://www.aatgb.com/voyageur/.
There's more about our Stabilo range of postural support and posture correction cushions here: https://www.aatgb.com/posture-cushions/
Daughter Amy has Cerebal Palsy. Affecting her whole body, it particulary impacts control over her arms and legs.
It means that when the family travel abroad, she has to have a bulkhead seat so she doesn’t kick the back of the seat in front.
But that in turn means she is not safe and secure: airlines do not allow a strap round the back of the seat, preventing the use of a harness.
Amy’s dad Stephen became aware of AAT’s Stabilo cushions from his teaching in a special school, where the innovative, infinitely adjustable vacuum posture support cushions were often used on wheelchairs.
He had a lightbulb moment: as Stabilo have no straps to secure them in place, utilising the occupant’s body weight to hold in place, would that be a solution?
It was! We even had an aircraft seat, so Amy and Stephen could try the Stabilo Comfortable Plus cushion with integrated head and body supports to see how well it worked.
It worked so well that Stephen bought one; the next trip- nine hours to Florida- Amy slept all the way there and back, she was so comfortable!
Even the pilot thought it was brilliant, never having seen one before.
"Amy sits more comfortably than any other time,” says Stephen. “The lateral pads wrap around her chest making her feel safe and secure without awful tight straps.
"We form the cushion so it acts like an armchair and prevents lateral movement and adjust as necessary during the flight to accommodate the aircraft pressure changes.
“Amy’s life is tough, full of challenges, but the cushion has made her adventures just a bit easier. Gareth from AAT went above and beyond in his efforts to help us find a solution.”
AAT’s Stabilo Comfortable Plus is one of several of our cushions that is approved by British Airways opening the world of foreign travel to disabled people.
Comfortable Plus is essentially a bean bag that can be fixed into shape to support and stabilise the head and torso without pressure points, thereby effectively reducing the risk of pressure sores.
Once moulded to the contours required, you just extract air within via a pump to fix the “beans” into shape. The process means you can be quickly and easily adjust it, to accommodate finite adjustments for continued comfort- from a small tweak to a complete re-mould.
Made from an advanced neoprene material, Stabilo Comfortable Plus Duo is waterproof and can be wiped clean to address spills or maintain hygiene.
Why choose AAT vacuum posture cushions?
- Hassle- free: no need for frequent re-plumping necessary with conventional cushions. The vacuum technology holds the moulded shape for months! No need for the delay and cost of a new fixed mould- we show you how to remould without pressure points as you need.
- Quick and easy: to fix the shape, mould to the required shape, use the handy pump (hand or electric versions available) to remove the air. Voila, the shape is fixed! To re-shape, just allow a little air back into the cushion and repeat.
- Instantly re-mouldable: comfort assured! Because you can re-shape yourself, comfort is constantly assured.
- Infinite possibilities: whatever precise contouring is required can be achieved- just form pommels, asymmetrical wings, channels to accommodate pegs and feeding tubes…
- Optimal practicality: our cushions can all be wiped clean and disinfected. Size allowing, they can be popped into the washing machine (see care instructions).
- Support that goes the distance: our free no obligation assessment considers all aspects- home environment, user and ‘operator’. We personally show you how to configure the cushions so you are comfortable re-moulding without causing pressure points. And if you can’t find a standard shape that works for your precise requirements, we’ll do our best to make it for you.
- Proven in practice: our vacuum posture cushions have been used by professionals and individuals alike for 20 years
Full details of the Stabilo Comfortable Plus infinitely adjustable posture support cushion, including booking a free, no obligation demonstration and/or assessment, can be found here: https://www.aatgb.com/comfortable-plus/.
Comfortable Plus is just one of numerous vacuum posture cushions in AAT’s Stabilo range, which range from arm rests to full-size mattresses. And if there is no standard cushion to suit a client’s specific issues, AAT can make one to order. You can find out more about the whole range here: https://www.aatgb.com/posture-cushions/
The middle-aged client joined the home after a spell in hospital: underweight and fragile, she needed additional skeletal support and 1:1 care. Meadow View- part of Emh Care & Support- could provide the high quality round-the-clock attention she required.
The home’s nurses responsible for the lady were struggling to find a way to keep her comfortable and safe in bed. They raised the issue with the home’s Occupational Therapist, who suggested AAT’s Grande mattress with Treat-Eezi cover.
The staff utilise the cushion's vacuum technology to contoured the mattress-sized bean bag exactly as needed. The process gives the lady with a secure yet comfortable position without pressure points.
The vacuum principle removes any air in the cushion, thereby fixing the moulded shape. Staff do not need to regularly replumping or adjust the lady nor the cushion. If she needs a slight adjustment to the shape or firmness, staff can quickly and easily alter the cushion contour and rigidity to suit.
If needed, the cushion can even be moulded to create abduction and adduction wedges, or an asymmetrical body position- all by the care-givers, within minutes.
The additional Teat-Eezi overlay helps maintain blood flow and gives an extra layer of protection against the risk of ulcers.
Meadow View Manager Gillian Kent comments, “The Grande gives support to her overall body structure, yet is soft and comfortable.
"Our team find it’s easy to reform when she is supine. They can ensure her continued relief and security when she’s lying in her bed.
"It has really helped her overall daily and nightly relaxation.”
Find out more about AAT’s Grande vacuum posture cushions here: https://www.aatgb.com/grande/
Unlike the conventional beanbag seats, the ground-breaking seat can be quickly, easily, infinitely remoulded at home, by YOU (the care giver).
Chilli Bean seat for special needs children eliminates the stress of a child being uncomfortable or incorrectly positioned. It assures perfect, pressure-free, support each time.
It's because it uses vacuum technology. So carers can adjust the seat themselves, at home.
There is no need to wait for a new assessment, or a new mould to be produced and delivered.
To our knowledge, there is no other paediatric postural support system like Chilli Bean available to UK occupational therapists and special needs parents.
Chilli Bean uses vacuum technology to form, fix and adjust the bean bag into the required shape, rather than being a fixed mould.
We fully train the care giver(s) in the re-shaping process.
So you can quickly execute any re-moulding or minute adjustment- at home, as soon as your child needs.
You don’t have to worry about incorrect positioning nor pressure points.
Chilli Bean works by attaching a hand pump or the whisper-quiet electric pump to the bean bag to extract the air between the beans, fixing them into the exact shape required.
You can create and form pommels or lateral wings. You can set the firmness/ rigidity to your child’s comfort whilst achieving the security and stabilisation needed.
Chilli Bean gives you mm-precise support and comfort, without pressure points, all the time, every time- 24 hours a day.
Chilli Bean’s neoprene surface provides sensory stimulation and is wipe clean.
It’s also easy to place additional sensory devices below to provide vibration or sound.
Thus your child’s comfort and correct support is constant.
You have no delay waiting for re-assessment, re-measuring and a new mould to be manufactured and delivered with its associated additional cost.
Peter Wingrave, AAT Director:
“Chilli Bean is a revolution in postural support systems. The infinite, at home re-moulding of Chilli Bean makes it an appropriate, reasonable and best value proposition for any healthcare professional needing postural seating for clients with physical or mental disabilities.”
Adds Jane, whose son Fred has a Chilli Bean:
“What works for Fred one day may not be suitable the next. The Chilli Bean is perfect: we’re able ourselves to finitely adjust the contouring and firmness of the seat to make Fred properly supported. It’s the first time we’re chilled about his comfort, we know with the Chilli Bean it’s easy to make even tiny alterations whenever he needs.”
Full details of Chilli Bean, including how to book a free, no obligation assessment, are on AAT’s website @ https://www.aatgb.com/chilli-bean/.
You may also be interested in:
https://www.aatgb.com/chilli-bean-infinitely-remouldable-posture-and-comfort/
https://www.aatgb.com/how-to-improve-postural-support-for-specialneeds/
Rather than being a fixed plastic mould, Chilli Bean uses vacuum technology to create and hold its shape.
It means parents, staff, care-givers can themselves form, fix and adjust the Chilli Bean into the required shape, as soon as needed.
The child’s comfort and correct support is immediate, constant, and free from pressure points.
There is no delay waiting for re-assessment, re-measuring and a new mould to be manufactured and delivered with its associated additional cost.
Chilli Bean works by attaching a hand pump or the whisper-quiet electric pump to the bean bag to extract the air between the beans, fixing them into the exact shape required.
Pommels or lateral wings can be created and the firmness/ rigidity set to the child’s comfort whilst achieving the security and stabilisation needed.
Chilli Bean delivers mm-precise support and comfort, without pressure points, all the time, every time- 24 hours a day.
Further, Chilli Bean’s neoprene surface provides sensory stimulation. It’s also easy to place additional sensory devices below to provide vibration or sound.
Explains Peter Wingrave AAT Director:
“Chilli Bean is a revolution in postural support systems. The infinite, at home variability of Chilli Bean makes it an appropriate, reasonable and best value proposition for any healthcare professional needing postural seating for clients with physical or mental disabilities.”
Adds Jane, whose son Fred has a Chilli Bean:
“What works for Fred one day may not be suitable the next. The Chilli Bean is perfect: we’re able ourselves to finitely adjust the contouring and firmness of the seat to make Fred properly supported. It’s the first time we’re chilled about his comfort, we know with the Chilli Bean it’s easy to make even tiny alterations whenever he needs.”
Full details of Chilli Bean, including how to book a free, no obligation assessment, are on our website @ https://www.aatgb.com/chilli-bean/.
If limited in mobility, long periods sat can at least cause discomfort, at worst lead to pressure sores, muscle atrophy, weight gain.
Yet simple prescription of an infinitely variable, vacuum posture cushion- our Comfortable Plus Duo- can easily eliminate discomfort in almost every seated activity at home. It even supports in the bath(1)!
Comfortable Plus Duo can open the door to trying a raft of activities- aquatherapy, sailing, canoeing, swinging, zip lining, ski-boarding, sand buggying, sledging to name a few.
It can shape to fit seats on your travels- whether car, plane, boat.
Essentially a bean bag that can be fixed into shape to support and stabilise the head and torso without pressure points, Comfortable Plus Duo effectively reduces the risk of pressure sores.
Once moulded to the contours required, extract the air inside via pump to fix the “beans” into shape.
The process means it can be quickly and easily adjusted, at home by a trained carer, to accommodate finite adjustments to comfort. It can be done whether needed- on a daily, weekly or monthly basis- or longer!
Comfortable Duo Plus can be similarly moulded to provide the required stabilisation to hips and pelvis. It even allows formation of a pommel.
Made from an advanced neoprene material, Comfortable Plus Duo is waterproof and can be wiped clean to address spills or maintain hygiene.
Importantly, it is also breathable, so no over-heating, sweaty patches if sat for a while in one position.
“Comfortable Plus Duo is a revolution in postural support systems,” says Peter Wingrave, AAT GB Director.
“Anyone who cares for or works with children and adults with physical limitations knows that what suits in terms of positioning one day may not work the next.
"The infinite, at home variability of Comfortable Plus Duo and its flexibility in accommodating almost every seated environment make it an appropriate, reasonable proposition for any healthcare professional needing postural seating for clients with physical or mental disabilities, for any activity.
“The fact it has infinite seating support uses beyond purely sitting at home is an added bonus: it enables wider participation in life and extends a client’s scope of experiences, helping their overall health and wellbeing.”
AAT’s nationwide team of sales managers are trained to support healthcare professionals in undertaking postural assessments, free of charge and with no obligation.
As part of the purchase process AAT will train care-givers in appropriate adjustment of Comfortable Plus Duo.
As the system can be wiped clean, it can be taken into equipment stores if/when no longer needed, and re-issued.
This delivers further positive amortisation and optimisation of care budgets.
To find out more about Comfortable Plus Duo, and book a free, no obligation assessment, click the link: https://www.aatgb.com/comfortable-plus-duo/
ENDS
(1) https://www.independentliving.co.uk/advice/too-much-sitting-down
Born 10 weeks prematurely, India Harvey has Cerebral Palsy, impacting her mental and physical capabilities.
Doctors told mum Denise: “you’ve just got to give her the best life you can”.
Denise has taken that to heart, thoroughly looking into all the equipment options available, working closely with India’s Occupational Therapist.
Denise’s research led her to AAT and ultimately our Chilli Bean infinitely remouldable bean seat.
Funded by Newlife, the charity for disabled children, a Chilli Bean has been purchased for India, replacing her existing fixed mould PPod positioning support chair.
Unlike fixed mould seating, the family can infinitely re-shape our Chilli Bean, at home.
Chilli Bean uses innovative vacuum technology, whereby the air between the beans is removed to whatever degree is required to achieve the desired shape and level of firmness and rigidity.
The process allows exact moulding of the seat to form lateral support, pommels etc to correctly support India without pressure points and the exact degree of firmness India is comfortable with.
India’s comfort and support is therefore a constant.
India’s quality of life has significantly improved.
Denise can move the Chilli Bean wherever she needs, for India to be sat and supported without the restriction of a harness.
Mum and daughter can sit and read a book together.
What's more, Chilli Bean is breathable and wipeable.
“That intimate time is so special, and means so much,” says Denise. “We couldn’t achieve that flexibility with the PPod. India prefers the Chilli Bean too because we can adjust the firmness just right for her: she doesn’t like a hard seat.
"It’s so quick and easy to adjust the Chilli Bean, and the pump is small and compact- we don’t have to stow away lots of ancillaries.
“I originally asked AAT about its Gravity Chair foam positioning seat, but once we sat India in it, we didn’t think it supported her properly. AAT’s Dan suggested Chilli Bean as we could exactly adjust it ourselves to India: it’s proved to be perfect!”
Further details about Chilli Bean can be found here https://www.aatgb.com/chilli-bean/.
Click the link to learn more including the ability to book a FREE, NO OBLIGATION demo/assessment.
Chilli Bean is just one in our range of infinitely adjustable posture cushions that cover almost every conceivable activity- not only daily things including sitting, sleeping, bathing, but the wonderful too!
Check out the gallery sections here: https://www.aatgb.com/posture-cushions/
George’s parents, Peter and Karen came across the infinitely variable Grande vacuum posture support cushion.
The husband and wife team run a successful business specialising in photography of children with special needs. They were commissioned by the Grande’s UK supplier, AAT GB, to undertake a shoot of the disability equipment in ‘real-life’ situations.
Says Karen: “It was great for us as parents to get to try out loads of products, some of which we had never heard of before. I do feel that this is a common issue with disability aids and products, there are so many on offer and out there to people, it is a matter of finding them that is the issue.”
As George is unable to sit unaided, Karen and Peter are always looking for ways to properly and correctly support their son so he can sit more freely without the constraint of a wheelchair. The Grande was a perfect solution.
In essence a mattress-sized beanbag, the Grande can be infinitely adjusted and moulded into shape and quickly fixed by removal of the air inside via a pump.
The process can be done by Peter and Karen, at home, whenever required. This ensures a constant, perfect fit, without pressure points.
There is no need for re-assessment, the delay of a new form being ordered nor risk of there being a minute variation in the new shape which makes it uncomfortable/unuseable – as is typical with fixed mould systems.
Lightweight, the Grande can be easily moved around the home to where needed.
Karen adds,” We laid George flat on Grande on his plinth in his recreation room. He was extremely happy and looked very comfortable: It moulded to George’s shape beautifully. And we could then further adjust the Grande on the plinth to allow George to lay on his side comfortably.
“Many a times when George was younger, Peter or I would lift him out of his chair and prop him up on the sofa with cushions for family film time just to have him sat with us on the sofa watching a film. When the Grande was set up on the sofa, George was sat in a lovely upright position looking very comfortable and chilled indeed! More importantly, really happy.
“The Grande is a perfect way to resolve all of those issues we had in the past when wanting George to join us for movie time. We also enjoy family game nights and often sit on the floor around a board, so it would be a great way to have George join in on the floor with the action.
“I really loved the concept, set up and versatile use of the Grande, for George it would be a fantastic piece of equipment which can be used around the house in many different ways for a number of years.”
AAT offers free, no obligation assessments of all its disability aids. The Grande is part of a whole range of vacuum posture cushions to improve sitting, lying, bathing and corrective postural support.
Full details, and an online form to book your assessment, can be found here: https://www.aatgb.com/grande/
The funding is part of the High Needs Provision Capital Allocation (HNPCA) grant.
The latest grant Guidance(2) says that the funding CAN be used for mobility equipment that is used by multiple pupils, that is capital equipment that expands access/ provision for children with a wide range of needs.
Seating is proven to have a positive impact on a child’s learning ability: if a child is comfortable, their focus and concentration capability is enhanced.
Our unique Chilli Bean infinitely variable orthopaedic posture seat can be exactly and precisely moulded to correctly support the child.
Unlike alternative bean seats, you can quickly and easily adjust Chilli Bean for individual pupil’s personal requirements, in the school environment. SEND staff can do it themselves- no need to call in specialists, send it away for remoulding.(3).
Chilli Bean's speed of adjustment improves life for SEND children who would otherwise spend almost all day in the constraints of a wheelchair. They can be supported comfortably and correctly.
The infinite variability of Chilli Bean means asymmetrical shapes, pommels etc can all be created within seconds to precisely and comfortably stabilise the child without restraint. Chilli Bean provides support for children with low muscle tone, or high muscle tension.
Lightweight, Chilli Bean can be moved from room to room as needed.
SEND staff can easily accessorise to provide sensory stimulation and relaxation: Chilli Bean's construction can transmit rhythmic vibration.
It is breathable and wipeable.
Explains Peter Wingrave, AAT Director, “The flexibility of Chilli Bean to address numerous scenarios and users makes it a valuable tool in a SEND unit’s seating equipment.
"Numerous specialist SEND facilities up and down the country are already appreciating the value Chilli Bean can bring to improving outcomes for children with physical and/or mental difficulties.
"It creates a calming, stable, comfortable environment encouraging relaxation and focus.”
We're so confident in the relevance of Chilli Bean for SEND environments, we are offering free, no obligation assessment.
This can be booked online here: https://www.aatgb.com/chilli-bean/.
ENDS
REFERENCES:
(3) With appropriate AAT training
Inevitably children grow, conditions evolve. That means what works one day may not the next, they may need additional or different support for an activity.
We are central to helping meet those needs.
We give Occupational Therapists and parents a single source they can trust to advise, assess and support the child.
We've developed a range of unique holistic solutions work individually or combined to help make daily life better- 24 hours a day.
Our stairclimber can attach to a wheelchair or have an integral seat to make going up and down stairs safe. Our revolutionary Universal Back clip-fits to the unit to correctly support the child as needed and can be easily altered as the child grows.
To ensure optimal comfort in the wheelchair- or anywhere else the child may be sat- our vacuum posture cushions mould precisely as required. And it empowers parents to infinitely vary the shape according to what’s needed.
The diversity of size and shape address every eventuality, from an arm support through to a mattress.
At bath-time, our Aqua Liberty takes the posture cushions to another level, supporting, cushioning in the bath without the constraints of a sling or a carer holding them.
If anxiety, hyperactivity are issues, our Gravity Chair provides a calming environment that is proven to enable the child to engage.
“It’s about putting what each child needs at the heart of what we do. That’s why we offer free, no obligation assessments, so everyone involved is comfortable with what will work, without pressure. We have carefully chosen our products so that there is a synergy between them, covering all aspects of daily activity. As far as possible they evolve with the child, so parents do not have to keep learning how to use new equipment- one less thing to worry about!”
Peter Wingrave, AAT Director
We have a heritage stretching back over 20 years, working with Occupational Therapists, education and healthcare professionals and parents.
Knowing how difficult daily life can be without the right support, we endeavour to undertake the initial assessment within two weeks and has a nationwide team of assessment support professionals to manage the whole process, from assessment to delivery of the equipment and training in its correct use.
