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May, 2010: A Wish Come True - Broadened Horizons Versatility Game Controller provided by Make-A-Wish Foundation
Chase Langland's wish to be able to play video games was facilitated by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. His unique Versatility adaptive video game controller was designed by Broadened Horizons. The Versatility Game Controller System is composed of many interchangeable components, designed to accommodate a wide variety of individuals abilities and disabilities making it possible for anyone, including the most limited by disability or disease to actively participate in video gaming with family and friends. (slideshow created by Chase's Mom, Sherryl)

February 26, 2010: Broadened Horizons Accessible Nintendo Wii controls were Spotted on ABC News!
Suzanne Robitaille shares her favorite technology for the disabled.







An xAble.com Lifestyle Show for Women


For Show #59, Tiffiny has Mark E. Felling of Broadened Horizons on the show, a C5 quad from her native Minnesota who's created an extensive line of adapted technology from modified Wii-motes to voice-activated cell phone technology. Tiffiny also shares her latest finds on tall women's clothing that's available (online) at a plethora of mainstream stores, plus gives her latest opinions on adapted clothing and if it's worth the money.



 Oct 18, 09: Broadened Horizons solutions for independent living once again appeared on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in the Marshall Family's new home.  
Carlton Marshall became a quadriplegic losing most of his mobility and all of his hearing 2 years ago after being shot in the neck while leading a Dallas Police Department SWAT team serving a narcotics search warrant. Broadened Horizons provided  power door openers and controls for the front and interior doors, a Mount'N Mover wheelchair laptop mount, and a PowerCheq Mobile Power Kit so the laptop (among other things) is able to run off of a power wheelchair's batteries.

August 4-10, 2009: Mark Felling spoke about Inclusive Travel, The Use of Assistive Technology in Employment, and in Independent Living at the Midnight Sun Assistive Technology Conference in Anchorage, Alaska.  Over the weekend after the conference, with lots of phone calls to find the best, most accommodating services, and a bit of negotiation when transportation was lacking, Mark was able to enjoy a Glacier Cruise and go on a Glacier Flight Seeing Tour.  Full Report link will be here when published.

August 24-30th, 2009: Mark went to Honduras for a close friend's wedding.  Unfortunately wheelchair transportation is nonexistent in Honduras as well asor almost any other kind of accessibility such as curb cuts!  But with the Comfort Carrier, patience, and lots of willing help we managed. Mark identified a new, inexpensive minivan of Chinese manufacture available in Honduras with sufficient headroom so that a rear entry ramp could be added inexpensively for about $200-$500 and local labor rates provide wheelchair accessible transportation. Full Report link will be here when published.

July 21, 09: Broadened Horizons introduced the new Click To Phone - Switch Scanning Cell Phone Bluetooth Interface providing complete access to all smart phone features to individuals with both limited dexterity and difficulty speaking and using voice control technologies.  Broadened Horizons has been offering completely voice controlled access to cell phones through our Vocalize Wheelchair Bluetooth Cell Phone Voice Control System for over two years.

July 16, 09: Quadriplegic Comedian Chuck Bittner from New England was caught mentioning his desire for GimpGear Accessible Video Game Controls in his Comedy Routine!  Enjoy!

June, 09: Governor Appoints Four to Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council
Governor Tim Pawlenty has appointed Peter Morton to serve as a public member of the Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council. Mr. Morton is a Minneapolis resident and a consultant with Lighthouse Management Consulting, Inc. He will serve a three year term. In addition, Governor Pawlenty also reappointed the following council members to serve a three-year term: Jennifer Delisi (Eagan), Mark Felling (Maple Grove), and Heidi Johnson (Bemidji). The Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council provides consumer-responsive, consumer-driven advice to the State for planning, implementation, and evaluation of the activities carried out through the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended (P.L. 108-364).

March 28 - April 3, 2009: Mark Felling spent a week a week experiencing and evaluating wheelchair accessible inclusive travel opportunities around the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. Mark, accompanied by his father Earl, flew direct flights from Minneapolis into Cancún, visited the Mayan Archaeological Site at Chichen Itza, spent a number of days relaxing at Freedom Shores, a completely wheelchair accessible resort and RV Park in Isla Aguada, Campeche, Mexico.  in addition to chatting with local fishermen, going dolphin watching on the bay, Mark setup an accessible Nintendo Wii gaming system in Freedom Shore's bar [video] and delivered a wireless intercom system newly adapted for the purpose so individuals can request assistance anytime day or night.  A Comfort Carrier Travel, Recreation, and Emergency Preparedness Transfer Sling is also on hand to expand guests opportunities and comfort such as transfers into the also available beach wheelchair, possible kayaking in the future, arrivals and departures on commercial aircraft, etc.  In Campeche, Campeche Mexico Mark met with the coordinator of the POETA program (Partnership for Opportunities in Employment through Technology in the Americas) housed in a room at a local public university.  Before leaving, Mark also met with Judith of Cancun Accesible, an organization providing inclusive transportation and rental equipment in and around Cancún.  Full Report link will be here when published.
 

April 14, 09: Local TV news interview with Mark Felling and Joan Breslin Larson after the 2009 Minnesota STAR Awards for Excellence in Assistive Technology at the State of Minnesota Capitol Rotunda.  The awards are organized and presented by the Minnesota STAR program which is guided by the Governor's Advisory Council on Technology for People with Disabilities.  Joan Breslin Larson is a supervisor in the Special Education Policy Division with the Minnesota Department of Education, a member of the Governor's Advisory Council on Technology for People with Disabilities, and was also recognized for a Lifetime Achievement Award. Mark Felling is Chairman of the Governor's Advisory Council on Technology for People with Disabilities and President of Broadened Horizons Inc., designing unique adaptive technologies for individuals with upper extremity limitations.

April 10, 09: Broadened Horizons introduced the GimpGear Versatility 100% Switch Adapted Accessible Video Game Controller for individuals limited by muscular dystrophy or other disabilities with no arm movement and little or no finger dexterity often requiring chin or mouth control. Versatility offers 25 ability switch jacks for every single function on a standard controller including both left and right analog joysticks, digital pad, and all 13 buttons. Customizations for controlling the joysticks with ones chin, lips, or even tongue make gaming possible for almost anyone! If you can blink an eye, wiggle a single finger, or stick out your tongue you can play!  A wide variety of unique ability switches complement Versatility such as integrated sip and puff, popular Light Touch Switches which require only 2 g of force to activate, bite switch, foot switches, and much more. Versatility is 100% compatible with every game available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 (PS3), PS2, PC Computer, as well as every other console: Original Xbox, GameCube, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo, N64, Sega, Sega Genesis, etc.  Upgradability to future consoles is expected along with the possibility of using it to remote control RC Airplanes, Helicopters, Cars, Trucks, and Boats.  Broadened Horizons offers the broadest range of accessible / adaptive video game controls for handicapped or disabled gamers with limited dexterityor even requiring only head control!

March 20, 09: Broadened Horizons introduced the GimpGear Ultimate Arcade Triple Joystick Big Button Accessible Video Game Controller for individuals with arm movement but little or no hand dexterity such as quadriplegic's and cerebral palsy. The Ultimate Arcade offers 2 large analog joysticks, a digital joystick in place of the D-pad, 13 large buttons for whacking with one's fist, and ability switch jacks for hands-free control of the trigger buttons L1, R1, L2/LT, and R2/RT with any ability switches. The Ultimate Arcade is 100% compatible with every game availablefor the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 (PS3), PS2, PC Computer, as well as every other console: Original Xbox, GameCube, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo, N64, Sega, Sega Genesis, etc.  Upgradability to future consoles is expected along with the possibility of using it to remote control RC Airplanes, Helicopters, Cars, Trucks, and Boats.  Broadened Horizons offers the broadest range of accessible or adaptive video game controls for handicapped or disabled gamers with limited dexterity or even requiring only head control!

January 11, 09: Watch Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Grys Family Episode #612 Aired Sunday, Jan. 11th at 8 / 7 central on ABC

Jake was born with dwarfism caused by osteogenesis imperfecta (a.k.a. Brittle Bone Disease). He is a ambassador for Easter Seals.  "Jake's greatest desire is to be able to do things independently.  Physically Jake cannot get a drink, go to the bathroom, turn on the light, or even open the door."  So Extreme Makeover: Home Edition contacted Mark Felling, Quadriplegic President of Broadened Horizons, to help solve some of the unresolved problems on what the show self-described as one of their most challenging builds yet.  YouTube - Goood Morning!

The challenge: the build was already underway and needed to be finished before the end of the week!  With only a verbal description of the floorplan, and after asking a few questions focusing on Jake's abilities, Mark laid out a plan for independent access throughout the house and a voice controlled bedroom. Within hours Broadened Horizons had a comprehensive solution on its way to be installed on-site the next day!   YouTube - Welcome Home!

Watch for a voice controlled bedroom and secure, powered front door, bedroom door, and elevator doors with special controls which Jake can operate regardless how he is getting around - in his small wheelchair or scooting across the floor.  
VoiceIR QuickStart Package with VoiceIR Infrared Voice Controller, TalkIR Speakerphone, and X10 Independence Package
Roughneck Dual Pushbutton Switches integrated on wheelchair to operate doors
Door operator controls uniquely deployed to flow naturally into Jake's lifestyle


December 28, 08:  Play Magazine January 2009 edition includes 2 articles about Broadened Horizons unique new Modular Videogame Control System. "Taking Control - How final fantasy became a life-changing inspiration" is about Kit Windsor, a die-hard gaming fan limited by muscular dystrophy who is able to get back in the game using the new GimpGear Versatility Controller.  Versatility is designed specifically for the most physically limited of individuals offering ability switch access to all 25 functions on a standard Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, or any other video game controller including analog joysticks.  

"Gaming enabled - Play talks to Mark Felling, the creator of Kit's amazing controller" is a short interview with Mark Felling, Quadriplegic President of Broadened Horizons.


 November 21, 08: With Christmas coming Broadened Horizons new accessible video game controllers have been catching people's attention.  Kit, the prototype Versatility 100% Ability Switch Adapted Controller's first user who is limited by muscular dystrophy, has generated lots of awareness for disabled gamers, capturing the attention of non-disabled gamers around the world with a post of photos and video on the Sony PlayStation forums which has risen to the top 7 of all time in terms of popularity.  The prototype controller is 1 of 4 controllers making up the New GimpGear Modular Gaming System for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC (as well as any other game console ever made) which will enable the vast majority of individuals with upper extremity limitations to play video games competitively with friends, their children, or a parent or sibling.  When you can't teach your son to swing a baseball bat in the backyard, at least you can spend time together learning to swing the virtual baseball bat in Wii Sports!
The following YouTube videos were created by, Kit, an avid gamer for whom we created the Versatility completely switch adapted prototype controller pictured to the right.  He's using it quite successfully, moving the joysticks with his tongue using tongue cups since he has no head movement, and having integrated a bunch of his own switches.  Kit's Blog  and Kit's MySpace


October 1, 08: The October issue of New Mobility Magazine has an article, "Expand Your Wii Addiction" on page 14 about Broadened Horizons' Accessible Nintendo Wii controls for forearm or head control. Options include a Switch Adapted Wiimote kit, Switch Adapted Nunchucks, Gimpgear Wiimote Hat for head control, Switch Adapted Classic Controller Expansion, and variety of ability switches.

"It’s already well-known among the disability community that Nintendo’s award winning Wii console has been a boon to mobility-impaired crips everywhere. But did you know a gadget exists that will allow you to play all of Wii’s addicting games (even Zelda!)? Mark Felling of Broadened Horizons has created the world’s only adapted Wii remote (Wiimote). It costs a pretty penny at $329, but what it can do to enable you to use both the A and the B
button — by “switch adapting” them — may be worth it for any serious quad gamers out there. For all the details, go to www.broadenedhorizons.com/videogaming.htm."


September 12-14, 08: Broadened Horizons GimpGear 20' x 20' display at the 2008 Minneapolis Abilities Expo featured a Videogaming Play Area where individuals of all abilities could, and try experimenting with some of the new accessible video game controls for the Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.  Besides all of our other unique adaptive technologies, also on display was a kayak modified with a supportive wheelchair seat back rest and paddle support/holder with specially modified paddle grips allowing even a C5 quadriplegic who lack sufficient strength to push a manual wheelchair to be able to paddle independently or tandem (as well as people with other widely varying disabilities).  Our Comfort Carrier was demonstrated to transfer disabled individuals in and out of the kayak ergonomically, comfortably, and efficiently.

August 8th-12, 08: PowerHockey Cup 2008 - The North American PowerHockey Association (N.A.P.H.A.) PowerHockey Cup 2008 will be hosted by the U.S.EWHA in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota at Augsburg College from August 8th to 12th, 2008. PowerHockey is a adapted version of hockey played in power wheelchairs open to people of all ages and abilities (Rules and Videos). The tournament will feature the Minnesota Stars, Minnesota Saints, Manitoba Moose, Michigan Mustangs, Toronto Lake Raiders, Toronto Rock, and the 2006 Champion Calgary Selects. Rounds 1-3 of the games will be held Sat-Mon. with the first game at 10:30am and final game of the day at 8:00pm. The Playoff round will begin Tuesday August 12th at 10:30am, with the Championship game beginning at 7:30pm. A selection of games will be broadcast online at www.Xable.com. The 3rd place and Championship games will be broadcast by North Metro TV 15 with copies available for purchase on DVD.


April 15, 08: Mark Felling, presented the Minnesota Awards for Excellence for Assistive Technology in the Rotunda of the Minnesota Capitol at 1 p.m. as Master of Ceremony with other members of the Minnesota Governor's Adaptive Technology Advisory Council.  Lieutenant Governor Carol Molnau and the Commissioner of Administration, Dana Badgerow, will be making introductory remarks.  There will be a reception in the great hall following the ceremony.    


April 5, 08: GimpGear Comfort Carriers will be utilized for wheelchair  transfers at kayaking event for disabled on calm West Beach, north of the pier in Santa Barbara, California.


March 13, 08 USA Today - "Airlines tackle wheelchair need" (or not!) For passenger service workers, those who assist with wheelchair transfers, "the average pay is less than $19,000 a year. Some 60% said they had not been formally trained in how to lift an immobile passenger."  Save yourself and get a Comfort Carrier TODAY!


Feb 21, 08:  Broadened Horizons introduces the GimpGear Switch Adapted, Accessible Wiimote.   The configuration can be strapped to the gamers forearm and the buttons operated with remote adaptive switches.  Also introduced simultaneously is a package to also use the Wiimote motion and position sensing capabilities as a unique mouse controller.  Used as a rehabilitation tool, it provides a new, fun strengthening and positioning therapy possibilities for professionals!


Jan 24, 08: Mark Felling, President of Broadened Horizons on request participated in Minnesota Department of Vocational Rehabilitation Self-Employment Workshop as a disabled entrepreneur.  The objective was to explore methods by which Minnesota Voc Rehab might expand the percentage of individuals starting small business from 1% which represents very little to no effort in this regard, to the state average of closer to 11% over the next 10 years.  While Minnesota does an exceptional job in many regards in services for the disabled, this disparagement and resulting improvement is partially being driven by the federal government through whom a portion of funding is derived.  Read the focus group results from the highly successful Disability Venture Pilot Project.


Jan 15, 08: Mark Felling, President of Broadened Horizons was elected Chairman of the Minnesota Governor's Advisory Council on Technology for People with Disabilities.


Jan 1, 08: Broadened Horizons introduces the new QuadMouse offering very disabled individuals efficient, cost effective use of a computer utilizing only slight movements of their chin, lips, or even tongue. Priced at only $499 including the rigid, snakelike 3rd Hand Mount, is a very attractive alternative to other control technologies often costing thousands of dollars, yet more effective.  Since the user is not connected to the computer by any wires, they are free to pull up to and away from the computer at will independently.




October 25th, 07: Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota State Governor, appointed Mark Felling, President of Broadened Horizons, to the Governors Advisory Council On Technology for People with Disabilities for a 2 year term. [Appointment & Press Release PDF] The Governors Advisory Council on Technology for People with Disabilities administers the Minnesota System of Technology to Achieve Results (STAR) program.  The STAR Program is federally funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration in accordance with the Assistive Technology Act of 1998.  Council consists of 16 members including 11 public members appointed by the governor and five members of designated state agencies.   Disability Minnesota - Gateway for Disability Information in Minnesota


October 16, 07: Broadened Horizons President, Mark Felling, will be speaking at the United Cerebral Palsy Central Minnesota annual dinner meeting at the Kelly Inn in St. Cloud, Minnesota.  On request he will be sharing the multimedia story of surviving his 2003 airplane crash into the Minnesota River Valley and how his resulting rehabilitation experience as a C5 quadriplegic led him to start Broadened Horizons.  A brief demonstration of a few latest GimpGear products will follow.


September 7-9, 07: Broadened Horizons will be exhibiting at the 1st annual Minneapolis Abilities Expo at the Minneapolis Convention Center along with 100 other organizations providing products and services to the disabled community.  Be sure to visit us at booth 507 across from Microsoft!  A variety of special event's will be going on each day.  The Abilities Expo is a large national conference held annually in New York, Southern California, San Antonio Texas, and now Minneapolis, Minnesota.  On-site admission to Abilities Expo is $5; children under 12 are free or print the ticket info page from the Abilities Expo website for FREE admission!  [Turned out to be three very busy days with over 4000 people in attendance and often a line of people waiting to discuss our products!]


August 30, 07: Mark Felling, Quadriplegic Engineer, Inventor, MBA and President of Broadened Horizons will be speaking at the Minnesota State Fair DNR Bandshell.  Mr. Felling will be discussing the impact having access to appropriate tools can have on anyone's life, and more specifically the absolute life-changing, society sweeping significance such tools mekn to the life of a mobility impaired person.  By request, he will be introducing some of the "GimpGear" Broadened Horizons offers to demonstrate specifically how it impacts not only their customers lives, but everyone's!  More information concerning Broadened Horizons can be found at www.GimpGear.US or for Capable Partners at www.CapablePartners.org.


July 17, 06:  Senator Harkin spent several moments today talking in front of U.S. Senate about letter signed and sent by Broadened Horizons and more than 591 advocacy, health, research, scientific, & religious organizations in support of HR 810 - The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.  (read it)


June 13, 06:  This article about Mark Felling, Broadened Horizons' President and CEO appears in this month's edition of the Access Press, an excellent disability oriented monthly newspaper.  "A Fall from the Sky - Plane Crash Leads Local Man to Successful Career As Innovator/Entrepreneur".  


April 15, 06: Editorial
A Challenge to Commercial Airlines Operators
by Mark Felling, Quadriplegic Engineer & Inventor, MBA
President, Broadened Horizons

Making money in business is not only about controlling costs but more so about earning revenues by satisfying customer needs or desires.  While running an airlines may be complex, every kid with a lemonade stand knows this basic rule of business, yet commercial airline executives seem to have forgotten it!  Instead, they move from airline to airline running the business through bankruptcy to avoid paying debts on large purchased assets (airplanes) while being protected by our government, which is terrified of disrupting the status quo in the national air transportation system.

Would you like to increase revenues while saving money?
Take market share from your competitors?
Improve the service quality and experience provided to all customers?

It is no secret that in combination these three goals will have a very significant, measurable impact on any business' bottom line, and are the lifeblood of any airline.

Any airlines can achieve all of these goals at the same time and with a very minimal investment!

How?  Simply improve your services to your wheelchair using clientele - take the measures to become truly wheelchair accessible!

Currently wheelchair users tend to be treated as a necessary cost of doing business rather than as a profitable opportunity.  Don't deny it, or if you feel you must - take a survey but we wheelers have already been telling use this for a long time, so I invite you to join me on a flight and the truth of that statement and your lost opportunities will slap you in the face.

Over 80% of the time the 1.7 million wheelchair users in the US fly, their equipment is damaged or mishandled in some way.

Not only do we passionately avoid flying unless absolutely necessary as a result, for all of the more costly damages the airlines are left holding the bag paying out thousands of dollars on a single incident. We end covering the less costly damages because the inconvenience isn't worth the effort of trying to fight the roadblocks your organizations have naturally built.  Such is the case regarding a recent trip I took to Cleveland in January for which Northwest received a few hundred dollar fare and ended up with a few thousand dollar repair bill as a direct result of witnessed employee negligence but indirectly as a result of being inaccessible.

Of a greater financial concern to airlines would be the fact that due to the complexities and time restraints of boarding many wheelchair users like myself, the plane ends up leaving a bit late, time which must be made up in-flight at a significantly greater cost in fuel while further stressing employees and customers. This does not take into account personnel time and employment costs, Workmen's Comp. claims, and a number of other associated costs.

What if there was an emergency and an aircraft had to be evacuated quickly?  What provisions are in place to carry a disabled person off the airplane in an expedient manner?  As a quadriplegic who has flown commercially 5 times in the past six months, I would not rate my chances of survival very high.  What is the planned cost of doing business for paying off the resulting lawsuit, what am I worth?

Broadened Horizons' (www.BroadenedHorizons.com) "Comfort Carrier" Transfer Sling is designed specifically to make traveling a smoother, safer, more enjoyable experience for disabled wheelchair users.  However, it is only a temporary, partial solution to help alleviate the problems created by wheelchair inaccessibility in the short-term, or on smaller aircraft.  Commercial airlines must develop and implement truly accessible, wheelchair friendly services to turn this cost center, which it is highly doubtful has ever been completely quantified, into one of profit.

In 1995, people with disabilities spent $81.7 billion on travel. This did not include the significant expenditures of their families, friends, and escorts/assistants. (Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality).
Companies marketing to people with disabilities can reach as many as 4 in every 10 consumers.
29% of US families have at least one member with a disability, and of these 54 million people in the US limited due to long-term disability, 73% are head of households.
Implementing only the access provisions of the ADA has increased revenues in the hotel and hospitality industry by 12 percent. (US General Accounting Office report)

With unique, intimate understanding of the needs, opportunities, and challenges in serving this market segment Broadened Horizons can provide valuable services and solutions towards developing and implementing wheelchair friendly services.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
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