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Service Call

I recently bought a nifty little device called a Service Call transmitter.  It was developed for
disabled drivers and power chair and scooter users by Autochair.  It does not look as if it
could be much of a mobility aid.  It is a rather simple remote control and it lacks the array of
buttons normally found on the average TV remote.

However, this little box is quite ingenious.  It is a system designed to make it easier for
mobility impaired people to use petrol stations, shops and services.  Thousands of outlets
across the Country have Service Call receivers installed.  These include Petrol stations,
Banks, Shopmobility, Job Centre,  Supermarkets,  and some Councils.  The number of
places that have them is, apparently, growing all the time.  The receivers are located
somewhere visible and the infra red remote control is used to activate a bleeper which alerts
somebody inside the building that you are there and need assistance.

So far I have only used mine to help me get petrol and that in itself was a major
breakthrough for me.  Yes, in some petrol stations they have signs inviting you to sound your
horn if you need assistance but in my own experience a horn is often not heard in a busy
petrol station.  It can also attract a lot of attention and other customers sometimes get the
wrong idea about why you are sounding your horn and may take offence.  I have sometimes
found it quicker (and less embarrassing) to unload my wheelchair and do the whole thing
myself.  However, I have then ended up worn out and in a lot of pain before I have even gone
anywhere.

The Service Call changes all that.  My device came complete with a list of all the places in
Surrey (where I live) that have a Service Call receiver installed.  However, if you go on their
web site, there is a searchable database of all the places in the country that have Service
Call.  There are already thousands of places.

I think it is a simple but clever device that saves a huge amount of time, energy and pain
and it is not expensive.  £9. 95 buys the remote control to enable you to use this service.

                  For further information select this external link: [ www.service-call.net ]

                  For information about Autochair, select this internal link:  [ Autochair ]