Upscale Shopping For Those With Special Needs

There's good news for those seeking products thatpeople with disabilities," says Harry Ting, senior vice
can make life easier for seniors or people withpresident, Network Development and Planning, Good
disabilities.Shepherd Rehabilitation Network.
A store-believed to be the first of its kind-has beenTing added that both the Web site and the physical
created to provide a unique, personalized, onlinestore-which is located in Allentown, Pa.-have become
shopping experience for people with disabilities andfavored destinations for both the elderly and those
their caregivers and family members.with disabilities and their families who are seeking an
Those looking for products such as a wheelchair forupscale boutique-like shopping experience. The store
racing in a marathon, a talking clock, an extra-longoffers both common and hard-to-find products
shoehorn or accessible vacations for those withcreated to offer consumers solutions, adaptation and
disabilities are likely to find them here.new options.
Called Rehability, the store offers more than 2,000The products-which range from a simple reacher to
specialty lifestyle products and services in thean electronic home monitoring system-may help them
categories of recreation, wellness, communication,improve their chances of living independently, ease
education, home and daily living, mobility, vision,the transition back to their homes from a hospital or
clothing and children's merchandise. The staff includesnursing home stay or just live a fuller life.
two full-time therapy assistants who provideThe concept for Rehability grew out of Good
shoppers with expert clinical advice in selectingShepherd Rehabilitation Network's desire to better
products.meet the needs of individuals who already have
"While there are many stores devoted to durabledisabilities, as well as the growing number of seniors
medical goods and mobility, we know of no otherwho need assistance with everyday tasks. The
store like Rehability, where the focus is to be theNetwork provides rehabilitation services at 30 sites in
premier destination for products and services forseven eastern Pennsylvania counties.