Welcome back to our Acorn Stairlifts fact of the week.
This week we will be diving into a fact tied to a disease that affects more than 350 million people in the world, according to Global RA Network.
It is none other than the infamous arthritis.
Our Acorn Stairlift Fact of the Week
All Models of Our Stairlifts Have Earned the Ease-of-Use Commendation from the Arthritis Foundation.
As the first and only stairlift company in the world to earn the Arthritis Foundation’s Ease-of-use Commendation in all models of our products, our stairlifts were designed with the millions of people that suffer from arthritis in mind, as well as anyone who wishes to reclaim their independence and mobility.
This means that all Acorn stairlift models are user-friendly, even on the aching joints of people with Arthritis.
What is the Ease-of-Use Commendation from the Arthritis Foundation?
The Arthritis Foundation created the Ease-of-Use Program to encourage manufacturers to design user-friendly products and packaging that could be recommended to the millions of people in the world living with arthritis.
When a product is awarded with the Ease-of-Use Commendation, it means that the product is user-friendly for people with arthritis.
This award, given to us from a panel of arthritis experts, was earned through extensive testing with our simulation subjects being none other than real people living with arthritis.
From opening the packaging of our product to taking a ride in our lift, the Arthritis Foundation determined that every step of the product testing was not only manageable for people with Arthritis, but was easy to use, even for people suffering from a severe form of the disease.
What Is the Testing Process for the Ease-of-Use Commendation?
Step One
When a product is submitted for testing, it is evaluated under fail or pass conditions.
These are performed according to the product type and what its functions are.
For instance, other examples of product testing could include opening a lid on a medicine bottle or using the controls of a household kettle.
Step Two
An assessment then takes place simulating the use of the product.
The people who test the product are none other than individuals living with Arthritis.
This testing extends from the opening of the packaging to actual usage to make sure that from start to finish, every step of the process is evaluated for ease of use.
Step Three
Finally, a panel of eight testers who have moderate to severe arthritis are evaluated for torque, grip and endurance, muscle strength, pinch force, and range of motion.
They are asked to interact with the product as they normally would, opening the packaging, using the product, and utilizing its controls.
For Acorn Stairlifts, this included usage of the swivel seat, paddle controls, seat belts, and folding footrest.
Following this evaluation, an interview is conducted by a group of scientists, and the testers’ feedback is gathered in a real-world setting.
Why Is This Award So Significant?
Currently, Acorn Stairlifts is the first and only stairlift company to receive this award.
This award means a lot to us at Acorn because it confirms a few things: that we are innovators in our industry, our products are designed to accommodate a wide and diverse range of people, and that we continue to provide our customers with only the best products and service.
This honour also endorses Acorn Stairlifts’ mission statement to be the best stairlift company in the world.
To learn more about Acorn Stairlifts and all of our amazing qualities click here.