Newsletter for the Rotary Club of Western Endeavour - Issue No.: 1115 Issue Date: 14 Apr, 2024

TADWA

It would be fair to say that most of us didn’t know what to expect when we came to hear Steve Pretzel talk about TADWA. (TADWA stands for Technology for Ageing and Disabled.) And what an interesting and informative presentation it was.

The beginnings of the not-for-profit organisation commenced in the era of the rotary dialling telephone and has grown into a sophisticated venture with a culture of innovation.

Ten years ago the organisation moved to its present location in Bassendean  with the help of Lotterywest. And a secondary facility was opened in Bunbury soon after. Last year the Mechatronics unit was established and earlier this year the Brain: Body Pain Solutions commenced.

In brief, TADWA provides technical services relating to: Recreation and Mobility, Home Modifications, Therapy Services, Custom Solutions, and Technology and computer Services using the following principle:

Steve showed some of the specific projects to demonstrate this including the Beach Wheelchair, Parkinson’s Wheelchair, the “showpiece” lawnmower, the VR replacement for the mirror box, and burns treatment by using VR.

Full details of TADWA can be found on their web site, https://tadwa.org.au/