News

Professional Assistance for Living joins ILS 

For the past 11 years, Professional Assistance for Living has strived to provide high quality assistive technology products for children with a disability. Under the direction of Simone Fejer, the business has grown substantially – evidence of our expert clinical focus and dedicated service to our clients. 

In an exciting change, we’re pleased to announce that from 1 February 2024, the PAL business will become part of Independent Living Specialists (ILS)

This change of ownership will provide PAL clients, therapists and suppliers access to a wider range of supportive equipment, expanded resources and innovative systems and technology. This will enable us to deliver an improved service over the coming months and years.

Rest assured, Simone, Colin, Jane and the existing PAL team in Adelaide will remain on board. We’ll continue to operate and provide a great service to our valued clients.

Over the coming months, you’ll start to see some changes, including the:

• Introduction of a new brand, ILS Kids
• Gradual changeover of email addresses and website from @pafl.com.au to @ilsau.com.au
• Improved efficiencies and an expanding local team to help
• New trading name, Independent Living Specialists Pty Limited (ABN: 78 106 336 958), with associated new quoting, invoicing and trading terms, as well as banking details
• Our banking account details will also be changing. Please refer to your new invoices and quotes issued post transition.

The future is exciting. Together, we will continue developing as a leading provider of paediatric assistive technologies. This furthers our shared goal of creating an inclusive community that empowers children with disabilities to lead active and independent lives.

ILS is a leading provider of assistive technology, homecare mobility and pressure care solutions with more than 60 retail outlets across Australia. 

Frequently asked questions

How do I contact PAL?

All our existing email addresses and phone numbers will continue to operate. We’ll keep you up to date as these gradually transition to @ilsau.com.au. Our office will remain open.

What will happen to my existing order?

There will be no disruption to your order. Your order will be fulfilled and the team will be in touch to arrange delivery, as usual.

I have received a quote from PAL, but have not yet ordered my equipment. What will happen?

Your quote from PAL will remain valid for 30 days. If this time has lapsed, we can easily provide an updated quote. New quotes issued will be under our new name, with new trading terms attached. Once the quote is accepted and processed, we’ll be in touch to arrange delivery.

Will there be any changes in the products available?

Our commitment to delivering high-quality supportive products remains unchanged. Our clients can expect the same level of clinical excellence and dedication. In fact, we’ll now be able to access a greater range of products through the ILS group.

How will the acquisition affect product suppliers?

We value our strong, collaborative partnerships with our suppliers. We assure you of our continued support in providing excellent quality products to our clients.

Frame running study calling for new participants

Get active this winter and try some Frame Running fun!

A research study is currently underway by the University of SA and needs a few extra eager participants who are new to the sport. The study is investigating the benefits of frame running on children and adolescents with Cerebral Palsy.

What is frame running?

Frame running (also known as RaceRunning) allows people who are not able to run – and have limited, or no, ability to walk without support – to move themselves using their legs, using a three-wheeled frame.

Join the program today

If you would be interested in joining the 12-week program, including 1-2 sessions per week, check out all the details. Frame runners are supplied if you don’t already have one, so this is a great opportunity to try something new.

PAL is proud to support this research study and see more budding frame running enthusiasts in action.

For further information, contact Lauren McDougall at [email protected].

Special needs car seats follow a special process

Safe vehicle travel for children follows strict processes in Australia. According to the RAA, nearly 60 child passengers in SA aged 0-16 years are killed or seriously injured each year on our roads. More than a third are aged 0-7 years. 

Under Australian law, regulations are in place to require children to use a child restraint, car seat or booster until they can effectively use an adult lap sash seatbelt. Children should be at least 145cm tall to safely sit in a standard car seat with an adult lap sash seat belt. At this height, their body segments are long enough to be safely supported with the seatbelt components appropriately positioned.

 

Source: Transport for NSW

 

Australian law also specifies that all car seats must meet Australian Standards – specifically the standard AS/NZS 1754. Any car seat sold in Australia must meet this standard, which covers materials, design, construction, performance, testing and labelling.

Unfortunately, although many car seats designed for children with special needs have been tested to other standards such as European and North American, none have been tested against the Australian standard. In order to use these seats legally in Australia, a strict exemption process must be followed.

First, parents should check whether there are any Australian Standards tested car seats that can meet the postural and behavioural needs of the child. In SA, the RAA safety centre is a good resource for this information and trials. Although they don’t have the same level of features as the special purpose seats, they are all slightly different, so may need to be considered.  However, if there is not an appropriate seat, a special purpose or custom made restraint may be warranted.

We can then work with families and therapists to provide advice on the range of specialised car seats available and which may be best suited to your child, as well as any additional supports or considerations needed.

After a suitable special purpose seat is identified, your child’s GP or other medical doctor will need to write a letter of exemption explaining the reasons why a standard car seat cannot be used. If required, we can assist your prescriber with this.

It’s also worth considering that this process runs parallel to the NDIS. In order for funding to be allocated through your child’s NDIS plan to purchase a special needs car seat, your family will need to show that standard car seats will not meet your child’s needs, along with the exemption letter from your doctor and supporting information from a prescribing therapist.

While this process is a somewhat complicated and time consuming one, it is designed to carefully balance each child’s safety with their individual needs and meet the Australian legal requirements.

Other car safety devices

Other safety devices such as specialised harnesses or buckle covers may also be used to ensure the safety of your child when travelling. Use of these devices must also follow the above process. A GP letter of exemption must be carried at all times when your child is being transported in the vehicle in which those devices are used.

It’s also important to note that some safety devices may also fall within the NDIS Commission’s purview of restrictive practices. As such, some extra protocols may need to be followed before implementing these devices in your car.

A helpful resource

In an Australian-first, allied health professionals, organisations and parents can now access a ‘one stop’ national website of resources for the safe transportation of children with disabilities and medical conditions. 

Mobility and Accessibility for Children in Australia Ltd (MACA) created macahub.org to address a concerning lack of access to information that leaves many vulnerable children and their families travelling unsafely on our roads. 

MACA Chief Executive Helen Lindner said a recent survey of parents, health professionals and organisations undertaken with Curtin University revealed stark challenges relating to the transport of children with disabilities and medical conditions in motor vehicles. 

This includes more than half of caregivers reporting that their child had gotten out of their child restraint or their seatbelt while they were driving, and more than two-thirds of caregivers reported never receiving information on safely transporting their child. 

“No family should have to worry about their family’s safety and well-being on any mode of transport. But a lack of accessible information until now has left many vulnerable children and their families travelling unsafely on our roads,” Ms Lindner said. 

COVID-19 Update

Dear Customers and Therapists,

The team at Professional Assistance for Living is monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and advice from Government and Health officials. We are actively seeking to minimise any disruption to our services; however, we do prioritise the health and wellbeing of our team members and customers.

At this stage, scheduled appointments will go ahead. We may get in touch with you prior to your appointment to ensure you and your family are well. Please do get in touch with us directly to reschedule your appointment if you are unwell, have been in close contact with high-risk individuals, or in self-quarantine (due to travel or exposure).

We have in place strict action plan guidelines to follow during this time, which can be read here. We will also take extra precautions, such as additional hygiene measures for our team members, and trial equipment undergoing thorough cleaning and sanitisation.

Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any concerns.

– Simone

Ormesa Therapist Workshop

We are excited to announce that we’ll be welcoming products from Ormesa, including the Grillo walker and Clip stroller, into our range. To kick this off, we will be hosting a workshop for therapists with Astris PME. Mr Martino Avellis, a physiotherapist who is Ormesa’s own clinical educator, will be presenting valuable information on gait and cognitive development. The range of Ormesa products will be discussed and on display.

9am – 12pm (with lunch provided)
Friday 22 November 2019
Independent Living Centre, 11 Blacks Road, Gilles Plains

Please let us know if you are interested in attending or would like more details. These products will be available for demo and trial soon.

Ormesa Therapist Workshop

Please RSVP to attend our Therapist Workshop on Ormesa products.

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