We were very excited to send Steve and Sacha to meet with EASTIN and a variety of representatives from their member

organisations from all over Europe – from Denmark and Norway, Germany and Belgium, Latvia and Slovakia and more. 

EASTIN is a global network of assistive technology databases and aims to bring awareness to and promote the spread of information about assistive technology products around the world, and Indigo was immensely proud to be able to present our company and our National Equipment Database (NED) to EASTIN as a representative of Australia and its developments in assistive technology.  

We also were able to learn more about how assistive technology is accessed in other countries. According to Steve, “It was very interesting seeing each of the databases. Many have been produced as part of a government agency and reflect the country’s service orientation. Countries like Denmark and Norway provide AT to eligible consumers free of charge, and their database is more focused on simple information with their government acting as the key procurer of AT.” 

“This is completely different to Australia’s approach of choice and control where the client determines the AT goods they require, and it is more of an open market with the need for e-commerce options.” 

Indigo also attended REHACARE, the International Trade Fair for Rehabilitation and Care while in Germany.  

Steve and Sacha were two of 44,000 visitors from 85 countries, and they were able to explore the amazing innovations in assistive technology from 950 exhibitors representing 40 different countries.  

There were shoelaces that can be tied with one hand, interactive gaming pillows, robotic exoskeletons for standing and walking rehabilitation, and smart wheelchairs with app control! 

It was a fantastic experience and was inspiring to see so many nations coming together and demonstrating the importance of innovative and effective care.