After another successful event, here is a round-up of the innovative products and clever adaptations that we discovered at this year’s Occupational Therapy Show at the NEC in Birmingham.
Footwear and Clothing
We spotted a new company called Friendly Shoes who sell fashionable adaptive footwear with wide openings and easy on/off designs for children & adults. These shoes 
combine style, comfort and practicality, with prices ranging between £60-£90.
Toileting and Bathroom Aids
Clos-o-Mat introduced The Easylet, their new electric toilet riser set to launch in the UK in 2026. It is different from other electric toilet raisers, as the same product can be used as a vertical or tilting lift by changing the position of the bolts. It requires installation by a qualified electrician.
It was great to see Gordon Ellis & Co at the show and to preview some of their new products for April 2026. We often use the prima lift to raise the persons existing toilet seat. In addition to their models for oval and square toilets, they have now designed one for D shaped toilet pans. We are also impressed by their new universal toilet arms. This product provides flip up armrests by attaching to the toilet pan under the existing toilet seat. Each arm has a 60kg weight limit.
Geberit showed us their new and improved hand control for their wash dry toilet which has a new display screen with fewer buttons. They offer a comprehensive after care service, which comes at no extra cost and includes 5-year warranty. Geberit have also made some updates to their app, which can be used to control the Geberit toilet from your smart phone, diagnosing any problems for a quicker repair of your toilet system!
There are some new innovations appearing for the shower, including the shower Spaah and Mitsu shower infuser. Both of these devices infuse shower 
gel/shampoo directly into your water to avoid needing to open bottles. The Mitsu has a simple turning dial which has even been utilised by someone using their feet, where they were unable to use their arms/hands!
Mobility and Transfer Aids
Gordon & Ellis also have an updated k30 Metal half Step range for helping manage outside steps with mobility aids. New features include optional height adjustable handles and a larger platform!
Access Solutions
Stepless by Guldman have the Step One which is a great innovative design transforming stairs into a seamless platform lift.
It was great to chat with Enable Access and see some of their new ramp designs. The butterfly ramp is a lightweight threshold ramp solution for UPVC doors ways, suitable for 10-15cm heights and very easy to move with a butterfly folding mechanism and just 6.8kg. The other ramp is a bridge ramp featuring a new high grip surface and rubber straps to protect the floor and stop any risk of sliding.
Walking Aids and Accessories
We were interested to see the crutch comfort packs from Rubber Ferrules which includes a colourful comfort cuff and handle cover that zips onto crutches or sticks – we now have these for visitors and staff to try at the Independent Living Centre.
Bed Positioning Support
It was great to meet the Occupational Therapy led team at PostureSnug and discuss all things bed positioning! They have some easy to use shapes including a calf slope for leg support, and a seahorse and H cushion for side lying. We are looking forward to meeting with them in Devon and learning more about their products.
Daily Living Aids
We always enjoy visiting the Active Hands stand at the OT Show, as they never fail to surprise us with the latest innovative gadgets designed to support independence. This year’s highlights included a one-handed nail clipper, Tina – the tampon inserter, a two-handled mug with a modern, user-friendly design, gaming controller adaptations, and the Glove Pilot, a clever tool to help users put on those tricky winter gloves!
Fledglings also showcased a variety of small assistive aids, many of which were particularly relevant to sensory integration. We were especially interested in their range of weighted blankets and weighted wrist bands, available for both adults and children. We are currently researching weighted products, especially in relation to their potential positive impact on individuals with sensory processing difficulties or dementia. 
‘We design Silver splints’ had a lovely range of stylish silver splints as an alternative to clinical thermoplastic splints. These are designed to help with pain and deformity following assessment with one of their specialist therapists. Prices start from £100+
Technology
The ILC therapists are always on the lookout for emerging technologies that can enhance independence and daily living. At Ridley Electronics ltd, we explored their impressive range of home access and environmental control technology. Highlights included a demonstration of their new soft-touch activation button, designed to make operating powered windows and doors even more accessible for those with limited dexterity.
We also revisited the Obi Version 3 from Rahana Life, which now features an expanded selection of cutlery options to improve user customisation. In addition, Rehana showcased the Armon Edero mobile arm support, an adjustable system designed to accommodate a wide range of functional needs (e.g. eating/drinking, playing games) for users with upper-limb limitations.
Beds
We enjoyed trying out the latest model of rotating bed from Theraposture – the Orbit 235. This model is more customisable for the user and can be tailored to an individual’s measurements and personal preferences; such as adjustments to rotation speed, seat height and depth measurements. However, with a price of approximately £10,000, this solution may not be suitable for everyone.
