Rehab Engineering EMAT

About Assistive Technology products and Services (click headings below to learn more about our services)

The Assistive Technology Service is operated by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority out of the Health Sciences Centre and Deer Lodge Centre in Winnipeg, MB.

Electronic Services

Mechanical Services

Automotive Services

EMAT Newsletters

Catalogue

Opportunities to improve function and quality of life are what we're all about!
The Assistive Technology staff pride themselves on their problem-solving abilities. The goal of AT is to maximize capabilities and opportunities for clients who are physically challenged due to aging, injury or disease. Our clients' needs are met through the modification of commercial equipment or the custom design and fabrication of specialized devices. All Manitobans can access the department directly or through their rehabilitation agency, therapist, or physician. When required, a team approach including the client, family/caregivers, rehabilitation agencies, and health professionals, helps to define these needs and determine suitable solutions. Whether our clients live in houses, apartments, personal care homes, or hospitals, we endeavour to increase each individual's level of independence. We don't see problems - we see opportunities for improvement.

Please Note: The AT Service was formerly known as EMAT. Reference to this name has not been changed on the catalogue and newsletters.


Catalogue

Click on the headings below to view the online catalogue

Electronic	Mechanical	Automotive


The Catalogue is available in Adobe® Acrobat PDF format. You need the Acrobat Reader 5, available at no charge on Adobe's web site, to view and print the file.		Catalogue, 2002
	(click PDF icon to download the full catalogue)
	( PDF: 6.4 MB / 57 pages)


back to top

News

The EMAT newsletters are in Adobe® Acrobat PDF format. You need the Acrobat Reader 5, available at no charge on Adobe's web site, to view and print the files.



	EMAT News Issue 6, 2003		EMAT News Issue 5, 2002
( PDF: 95KB / 2 pages)		( PDF: 195KB / 2 pages)



	EMAT News Issue 4, 2001		EMAT News Issue 3, 2001
( PDF: 108KB / 2 pages)		( PDF: 653KB / 2 page)



	EMAT News Issue 2, 2000		EMAT News Issue 1, 2000
( PDF: 215KB / 2 pages)		( PDF: 622KB / 2 pages)

Note: EMAT has been changed to Assistive Technology Products and Services.

	Electronic Services
	Computer Aided Design techniques and micro-controller technology are used to design and construct customized equipment and modify home appliances to help our clients gain control of their environments. Electronic Services design and fabricate systems using the most modern in programmable micro-controller chips, ensuring clients benefit from the latest improvements in flexibility and reliability. Environmental Controls Door locks Intercoms Communication Devices Modifications to a nurse call, television, and telephone may be all that are required by residents of personal care homes. In houses or apartments, modifications to intercoms, door openers or locks may be needed to enhance independent living. These devices, as well as lamps and appliances, can be adapted to operate by the use of a simple custom paddle switch or by sipping and puffing into a small tube. Telephones Televisions VCRs Lamps From assessment and recommendation, to the design and installation in the home or workplace, AT will try to meet all clients’ needs, whether simple or complex.

Mechanical Services

Experienced staff members, working in a modern, well-equipped machine shop, are able to meet the most challenging of needs.
Custom seating and modifications to wheelchairs, scooters, and walkers are carried out in the central machine shop area.

Bathroom Aids
Daily Aids
Grab Bars
Bed Rails
Wheelchair Modifications
Custom Seating

Many aids that are not commercially available are custom designed and fabricated. Keys, cutlery, appliances, and transfer aids are just a few of the many everyday items that are adapted for use in the home, while office spaces, computers, and industrial equipment are modified for the workplace. The creative and inventive team in Mechanical Services can handle the most challenging projects.

	Automotive Services
	Automotive Services have been customizing and modifying a wide variety of motor vehicles for 25 years. When it began, the services mainly involved the installation of hand controls for paraplegics who couldn’t use the gas and brake pedals. Today, our group of trained mechanical and electronics specialists modify vehicles to accommodate high-level quadriplegics and those suffering from other disabilities, such as arthritis. Automotive Hand Controls Left-Foot Gas Auxiliary Wiper & Signal Controls Farm Equipment The staff work closely with therapists and can access their specialized services, if needed. A therapist will assess a client’s strength, range of motion, and cognitive and perceptual skills before any vehicle modifications take place to ensure the changes made will work. A wide variety of modifications are done in the Auto Bay, located at the back of the Materials Handling building at the Health Sciences Centre. Services range from the addition of a single switch to complete changes of all controls on motorized vehicles, ranging from golf carts to highway tractors.

		The Electronic and Mechanical Assistive Technologies Unit provides customized solutions to the daily problems faced by the physically challenged. A skilled and dedicated team of employees custom designs and manufactures devices not currently available, or modifies and customizes commercially available equipment to assist disabled Manitobans live more active, independent lives.

	Types of Automotive Modifications Compleated
	Accessing The Vehicle
	Automotive Services can: manufacture or modify power or mechanical personal lifts customize door handles install grab handles install support belts on seats create vehicle transfer aids adapt seating modify keys
	The AT Service does not manufacture or install standard wheelchair lifts
	back to top
	Driving Devices
	Automotive Services can: install hand-operated brake and gas controls modify keys adapt the gas pedal to left foot control install emergency brake extensions install a spinner knob for one-hand steering install gas pedal and brake pedal extensions modify gearshift selectors adapt to foot controls and steering
	back to top
	Auxiliary Controls
	Automotive Services can change or relocate any control switches, either mechanically, electronically, or with a controller to operate the vehicle’s: mirrors (can be added, moved, or modified) windshield wipers and washers headlight dimmer door locks turning signals heat and air conditioning systems horn cruise control
	The AT Service cannot disengage factory-installed air bags.