news > archives
January 2011
Brand new newsletter!
Go ahead and check out our latest iContact, eaturing Cata Coloton!
December 2010
Happy Holidays and New Years!
We've sure been busy - you'll see why in the new year!
Check out Gae's video showing how to set lock positions on a Mount'n Mover
November 2010
Thanksgiving!
We at BlueSky Designs have so much to be thankful for, and we thought it might be nice to share in some of the feedback we get to enjoy!
Check out Jordan Franks video:
You can read more on Jordan in our Thanksgiving iContact!
August 2010
Thank you all who came round to visit us at the Abilities Expo in Houston!
We will definitely be there again next year - so hopefully, we will see you there as well!
For more info about the abilities expo, please visit here.
If there is a regional conference that you think we should really be at... LET US KNOW!
July 2010
Meet Bob! He's got a couple of things to say about the Mount'n Mover!
Reminder for those going to ISAAC 2010 - See us in Barcelona!
The fine folks at Toby Churchill are launching the Mount'n Mover in Barcelona!
Visit Dianne Goodwin, Director of R&D at BlueSky Designs, and check out the Mount'n Mover at ISAAC 2010 in Barcelona!
June 2010
It's Official: We have Floor Stands
Great for evaluations and access from a bed or the floor.
The new Mount'n Mover Floor Stand positions devices from 6" off the floor to 6 feet, depending on your needs.
Simply remove your Mount'n Mover from your wheelchair, and insert it into the Floor Stand.
It takes seconds to change it, and no tools are required.
Shown being used by Kim Hull, Florida Dynavox Rep, to demonstrate eye gaze technology at AOTA Assistive Technology workshop.
Throughout her presentation, Kim kept saying,
“I just LOVE this mount!
”
“I can think of many of my clients who this would've been perfect for!
”
How low can it go?
The system is extremely flexible.
The mounting post can be set so it comes above the mount.
Then, the post is inserted into the Floor Stand clamp from below - positioning the Mount'n Mover and device at floor level.
Flexibility for people who use Eye Gaze
A girl with Rett Syndrome who accesses her Tobii with eye gaze recently received a Mount'n Mover through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She is ambulatory, and uses her system at tables, on the floor and standing.
She sets up and uses a Mount'n Mover in 3 ways:
- Mounts to a Table Clamp for access at different tables
- Attaches to a Floor Stand for device support and access when she's sitting on the floor or chairs
- Attaches to a Locking Tilt Module and tray for streamlined and portable access while dining out. In this situation, they don't bring the Mount'n Mover; just the Tobii, attached to the angle adjustable and Locking Tilt Module.
Look who's on Page 14 of the Minnesota Small Business Development Center Annual Report!
BlueSky Designs President, Di Goodwin, has been working with Margaret Owens Thorpe to develop marketing strategies for selling the Mount'n Mover.
Many thanks to Margaret for her insights, expertise and enthusiasm!
Lesson learned: No matter how innovative a product is, you need good marketing strategies and partnerships to have a successful business.
Read the report here!
Beth Moulam raves over the Mount'n Mover!
Beth Moulam, a Lightwriter user in the UK, posted a rave review on the Mount'n Mover in her blog and on YouTube
Toby Churchill Limited now distributes the Mount'n Mover in the UK!
They will be exhibiting at the upcoming ISAAC conference in Barcelona, Spain July 27-August 1.
Goodwin will attend and assist at their booth.
In their trials, the Mount'n Mover had great reviews by two excellent testers.
“Brilliant design!
” and
“I ♥ my Mount'n Mover.
”
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May 2010
Introducing iPad / E-reader mounting, universal rotators, and other updates
The BlueSky Designs/Mount'n Mover team is passionate about improving access for people, and the latest devices out there are now within reach!
- In this update:
- iPad and E-reader mounts!
- Introducing the Universal Rotator
- Updated Dynavox Eyemax Instructions
iPad and E-reader mounts!
Wouldn't you want something to magically hold your fancy new device in the right place so you can use it, and still rotate it from portrait to landscape when you want?
There's a Mount'n Mover for that!
With our iPad / Tablet mount, it allows you to securely mount your favorite handheld devices and then rotate them from portrait to landscape orientations (and anywhere in between)
You shouldn't have to worry about safely holding your device - just enjoy using it!
Need access to more than one thing?
You can attach multiple things to our Mount'n Mover trays - and spin them around for best access!
While not a big secret in the rehab world - we still wanted to share this video!
iPad + Velcro from Jesse Rosten on Vimeo.
Introducing the Universal Rotator
The Universal Rotator (DP-UR) adds an axis of rotation for device positioning!
This feature is particularly useful for folks using eye-gaze type devices, where head positioning can change over time.
The Universal Rotator works with every single BlueSky Designs device attachment plate, even all our trays. Anything you want to mount, we can help you with!
Because it is friction based it can lock at an infinite number of angles, or set to a "touch-to-move" friction.
The "touch-to-move" setting is perfect for devices that change orientations (like the iPad, shown above) - rotate to where you want it, and done!
Check out the full instructions for the Universal Rotator
Updated Dynavox Eyemax instructions
We just released an update for our Dynavox Eyemax mounting!
This includes the updated use of the Universal Rotator with the Dynavox Eyemax.
Check out the Device Plate - Dynavox Eyemax (DP-DV2) instructions
Science Museum of Minnesota Invention Crew and BlueSky Designs is on TV!
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March 2010
ALS Society of Minnesota now has Mount'n Movers!
Today BlueSky Designs delivered an Eval Kit and 3 Mount'n Mover systems to the ALS Society of Minnesota.
They received a grant from the Wright-Hennepin Electric Coop's community grant program.
Thank you! The MMs will be put into their loan program.
Cheryl Meyers, a patient services coordinator, Sue Spalding, Exec Director and Dianne Goodwin, BlueSky Designs president are shown in front of map showing their clients.
March 29th: Product Improvements and Additions
The BlueSky Designs/Mount'n Mover team is committed to improving and expanding our product line in response to our customer's feedback. We'd like to announce three significant improvements and something we're developing.
Paddles now more robust!
Customers use our mount day in and day out, across environments, for different purposes.
Their experience is the true test of a product.
We're pleased to say our track record is excellent, with minimal repairs required.
In a few cases, the paddle broke as the result of a run in with a door or the floor.
Dianne Goodwin, President of BlueSky Designs, says,
“We're committed to delivering a quality product that lasts.
”
After considering the issue, we beefed up the Paddle.
It now has a strong, linebacker's neck and withstands a much greater impact.
Secondary lock added: Introducing the RedLock!
The RedLock was developed to provide a secondary lock to keep people from accidentally unlocking their device from the Mount'n Mover. Devices easily attach to and detach from the Mount'n Mover via the Quick Release Plate-sometimes a little too easily. Another benefit of the RedLock is that it provides a visual check to see whether the device is locked.
When the RedLock is rotated inward, it positively snaps into place and prevents accidental unlocking of devices. The Quick Release Handle cannot be lifted, so the device cannot be removed. A person needs to intentionally rotate the RedLock out of position to lift the Handle and remove the device.
The BlueSky team decided to include it as a standard feature-consider it our contribution to your "insurance plan".
Existing Quick Release Plates can be retrofitted for $10, plus shipping.
Watch the video-intro here!
Reduction of play in Shoulder joint
This will make many of you very happy! Play is not always a good thing. We've found a way to reduce the play in the Shoulder joint, making it work even better. As of this week, all new MM's will have tighter shoulder joints.
Existing MM's can be retrofitted for $20, plus shipping.
Floor Stand Solutions
Mount'n Mover floor stand under development
We are developing a floor stand for the Mount'n Mover, and would love your input! If you are interested in giving us your input, please contact us .
Attaching to a Daessy, Rehadapt/Monty, Star, or CJT floor standWe have components and strategies making it possible to use Mount'n Mover products with various floor stands on the market.
- You can use the components to:
- attach a Mount'n Mover with a post to the stand, or
- attach a device attached to a Mount'n Mover Quick Release Plate to the tubes
Fresh Newsletter: You can see a Mount'n Mover at CSUN 2010 & Dynavox is now Moving Mount'ns .
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February 2010
BlueSky has been awarded a PVA grant!
The February 2010 issue of Paraplegia News announced a Design and Development award was granted to BlueSky Designs to continue its development of portable transfer technology for boarding boats.
The Pilot Project will run through 2010.
Development activities will build on previous concepts and focus on creating prototypes with improved functionality.
Water-based tests (performed after the lakes thaw) will assess its stability and safety in use.
Tobi/ATI has signed on as an official Mount'n Mover reseller!
BlueSky Designs is excited to announce that Tobii/ATI has signed up as an official Mount'n Mover reseller! In order to use the Mount'n Mover with a Tobii device, you need the Tobii Device Plate (DP-T1).
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January 2010
We are preparing to meet everyone out at ATIA-Orlando!
We're excited to meet everyone down in the sunshine state and tell you all about this revolutionary new Mount'n Mover.
You can read more about us at the conference.
Or, you can check out ATIA's site here
Come visit us in Booth 1113
ATG Rehab is now a certified reseller of the Mount'n Mover! check out their site hereBridges-Canada is now a certified reseller of the Mount'n Mover! check out their site hereWe've been busy making stuff: Mount'n Mover eval kits are now shipped with the new Tobii Plates and the Prentke-Romich ECO2 adapter plate.
See the latest kit contents here
The Paralyzed Veterans of America have awarded BlueSky Designs a grant to pursue development of a device to make it easier for people with mobility impairments to get on and off boats!
The 2010 Pilot study will allow BlueSky Designs to develop and test working prototypes, building on previous projects.
For more info on this program: read details on the PVA Research Foundation website
Connie Hooge has joined the BlueSky Designs Team!.
Not only does Connie have a solid sales background, she has experience in job development for people with disabilities and has worked in group homes.
Click here to see Connie's profile and picture
Fresh Newsletter: ATIA Orlando, Meet the Mount'n Mover, Welcoming Connie & Our friends at Bridges!.
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December 2009
New Eval Sheet: In our efforts to make everything about the Mount'n Mover easier to use - we've developed a handy "Eval Sheet" for... evaluations! This single sheet (please save paper and print duplex) is a checklist for an eval to make sure you dont miss anything in your order. See our new Eval Sheet. Ideas for improvements to this or anything else we offer, drop us a line!
BlueSky teams with InvenTeam award winners! A team of high school students from St. Paul will investigate new approaches to making it easier for people with disabilities to get on and off boats. The students are enrolled in an innovative design program through the Science Museum of Minnesota. Blue Sky Designs staff has conducted previous research and development in this area, and will serve as advisors to the project, meeting with the team and providing input and feedback through their design process.
The team was awarded a grant from the Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam program. This initiative is a national grants program designed to excite the next generation of inventors and problem solvers through hands-on learning, while encouraging an inventive culture in schools and communities.
Info on Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUS130041+20-Oct-2009+BW20091020
Photos of Science Museum of Minnesota students
http://www.flickr.com/photos/inventeams/4115198440/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/inventeams/4115198462/
Fresh Newsletter: The new website, Help with funding, year end updgrading, and the ATIA 2010 update.
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November 2009
Testing the mount: The Mount'n Mover is being put through it's paces! We are testing the mount in a worse case scenario - a 10 lbs device, at a 30° tilt, with a 100 "speedbumps".
:: November 16, 2009
Added the "Made in the USA" page: The Mount'n Mover is made with pride, in the USA! See the development timeline for us to bring this product to market, and check out our manufacturing partners who make it all possible. Made in the USA page. :: November 16, 2009
Brand new advertisement on the NewMobility website: The Mount'n Mover has a web button advertisement on the New Mobility Magazine website.
::November 16 2009
Mounting Training for Special Educators and Therapists: Dianne Goodwin presented a Mount'n Mover inservice for the Metro ECSU, a Service Cooperative for schools in the Twin Cities Metro area. Occupational therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Physical therapists, and Assistive Technology specialists who work with children with disabilities attended the training.
The training included a PowerPoint with case studies and detailed discussion of the operation of and appplications for the Mount'n Mover, including a hands-on section where participants set lock positions, adjusted the height and tilt angle, and attached various devices.
:: November 6, 2009
Fresh Newsletter: A quick thank you to all of our visitors who came out to see us at ATIA-Chicago 2009.
AT Expo @ University of Wisconsin - Madison: BlueSky Designs showed off the Mount'n Mover and other products at this regional expo.
International Magnesium Association: The mount'n mover is on the cover of IMA's 2010 Membership Directory and Buyers Guide! Big thanks to Twin Cities Die Casting to make this possible.
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October 2009
ATIA: Assistive Technology Industry Association: BlueSky Designs brings the Mount’n Mover to the first Chicago ATIA show.
New Mobility:Mount’n Mover mentioned in New Mobility! Justin Moninger keeps readers abreast of new technology and products in his Technability column. Of the MM, he says, “I haven’t tried it, but it looks intriguing.” View the article here!
Extreme Home Makeover! The Mount’n Mover was given to a former SWAT team member who sustained a spinal cord injury in a drug bust. He received a laptop computer mount through Broadened Horizons, a MM reseller. The Moun’tn Mover wasn’t shown, but those of us “in-the-know” were pleased he received one.
ABC Episode Page
www.mountmover.com New website dedicated to the Mount’n Mover is officially launched!
Closing the Gap: BlueSky Designs made its first solo appearance at Closing the Gap—a conference focused on Assistive Technology and Special Education.
PRC-BlueSky agreement: Prentke Romich Corporation and BlueSky Designs finalize an arrangement so people can order a Mount’n Mover in combination with a new PRC device and process the funding through PRC. click here for more info
Tobii Plate: A new plate is now available which accommodates ALL Tobii devices, including the new Lightwriter SL40, C12, C8, and P10.
Portland VA: The Mount’n Mover may now be purchased for Portland VA clients through BlueSky Designs.
New Mexico’s Tech Act program now has a Mount’n Mover Evaluation Kit!
back to topSeptember 2009
Exceptional Parent Magazine: “New Mount Brings Independence Within Reach” Article includes case studies explaining how students gain greater independence through using the Mount’n Mover for laptops, reading, communication and more. Aides and families find it easier to position and use the mount, too.
Walk to D’feat ALS: BlueSky Designs’ founder joins Gae Skager, the very first owner of a Mount’n Mover, on the Walk to D’feat ALS. Gae used a prototype MM for two years before they were in production!
Gae's Gracious Group page
ATIA: BlueSky Designs joins the Assistive Technology Industry Association.
back to topAugust 2009
Available in Australia: Technability is now representing the Mount’n Mover in Australia. For more information, contact them at www.technability.com.au
PEC Conference: Goodwin spoke on Accessible Outdoor Recreation at the Pittsburgh Employment Conference before the “largest gathering of augmentative communicators”.
Rehabilitation Counselors: Goodwin invited to speak to Assistive Technology liaisons in Minnesota’s Department of Economic Development, where she presented “Increased Independence through Accessible Mounting and Positioning “.
Mount’n Mover Magnesium die cast technology showcased: International Magnesium Association Showcases the magnesium die castings used to make the Mount’n Mover in their Summer issue!
read the pdf here
June 2009
RESNA 2009 BlueSky Designs exhibited at Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America.
RESNA Developer’s Forum: BlueSky Designs team demonstrated new products under development, including a powered mounting system. R&D was funded through a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the Department of Education’s National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)
RESNA Paper presented: “Development of Portable Watercraft Transfer Technology”, presented by Karl Brown, former BlueSky Designs employee. R&D was funded through a SBIR grant from the Department of Education’s NIDRR
AAC SIG Workgroup on Mounting: Goodwin participated in a workgroup of RESNA AAC SIG members discussing issues related to mounting of AAC devices, funding, and service delivery
MATLN, the Minnesota Assistive Technology Loan Network, now has a Mount’n Mover Evaluation Kit available to them
Minneapolis VA: BlueSky Designs is now eligible to sell Mount’n Movers through the Minneapolis VA. They have a Mount’n Mover Eval Kit onsite at the new, techno-savvy Spinal Cord Injury Center
back to topApril 2009
BlueSky Delivers Innovative "Ease of Use" Products with Dimension 3D Printing: Goodwin explains how the use of 3D printing aids the development of their products.
Watch the video and read the full article
Read the blog article here.
March 2009
CSUN: Exhibited with InfoGrip, AbleNet and Saltillo
Charting the C’s: Goodwin presented; exhibited with Technology for Education
Turning Point Technologies added as a Reseller
back to topJanuary 2009
ATIA: Mount’n Mover on display at InfoGrip, Saltillo and AbleNet. Goodwin was on hand at InfoGrip’s booth
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