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Example of growth and adaptation of the VELA Tango to ensure longevity

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A VELA Tango 600/600ES is typically used by children starting in reception/key stage 1/key stage 2

A VELA Tango 600/600ES

Seat sizes

  • The smallest seat available (the E2) provides a minimum seat depth of 15cm (can be shortened further for restricted growth)
  • Using the built-in adjustment system (no allen keys or technical knowledge required), the seat can be increased to a maximum depth of 35cm
  • 20cm of seat depth growth has been created without purchasing an additional seat
  • Once a child has outgrown the E2, there are 2 larger seat sizes available.
  • The largest (E4) has a maximum seat depth of 47cm which will generally accommodate a user of around 175cm (5ft 9)

Back rests

  • All backrests in the Tango range (300/600/700) are compatible with the 600S/ES
  • The largest backrest (Contour XL) has dimensions of 41cm width x 48cm height and is perfect for taller adults
  • However, the Contour XL can be used with the Tango 600 frame to accommodate a person of 175cm

Tango 600S/ES – Dimensions/key information

  • Seat depth: min 15cm – max 47cm
  • Seat width: min 32cm – max 40cm
  • Backrest height: min 26cm – max 48cm
  • Backrest width: min 26cm – max 41cm
  • Seat height (from floor to underside of seat): 31cm – max 77cm
  • The seat height can be easily adjusted – gas cylinder lift or electric hilo lift
  • Fold up footplate as standard
  • The various height gas stems and actuators can be fitted to any Tango chair, regardless of the seat or backrest size
  • The huge range of accessories are retrofittable, including: lateral supports, thigh and hip guides, lapbelts, harnesses, power assist wheels and headrests
  • Max user weight: 80Kg

Example of cost savings:

If we consider that we want the chair to last a child from 4 years old (reception) right through to 18 (end of 6th form), we are looking at a 14-year period. Assuming no alternative accessories were needed during this period, we would expect both the seat size and the back rest to be changed twice.

  • VELA Tango seats and backs cost on average £250 each, meaning a spend of just £1,000 would ensure the chair will last for the child’s entire education
  • The average VELA Tango (electric ‘hi-lo’) chair costs around £3,500, so the total spend per child would be £4,500 over a 14-year period
  • Annual spend of around £320

Market comparison

Market comparison

  • Purchasing a specialist electric ‘hi-lo’ chair which doesn’t offer the same level of growth and adaptability as the Tango means that once the child has outgrown it, a new/larger chair must be purchased
  • On average this can happen on 4 occasions throughout 14 years in education
  • Looking at a cheaper alternative which costs £2,500 but needs replacing 4 times, the total spend would be £12,500
  • This equates to 64% more spend than with VELA

As you can see this is a considerable saving!

A VELA Tango 600/600ES

What if the child leaves the area?

As well as ensuring maximum growth and longevity for a specific child, we also need to consider what happens to a chair which is no longer required due to a child leaving the Local Authority area.

  • Due to the components of the chair, a VELA Tango can be adapted to suit the measurements and requirements of a new child
  • The process is simple, our assessors would visit the new child in conjunction with the OT and assess them in the same way we would with any child who is about to get their first VELA chair.
  • We take the measurements along with any other specific requirements for accessories and compare this to the VELA chair you have which is no longer being used
  • We then look at what is needed to make the existing chair match the requirements of the new child, for example, a different sized seat or longer footplate

Again, the cost savings for this approach are considerable!

Whilst we do not put a specific life span on VELA chairs, as it can vary depending on how they have been treated/looked after by previous users, we have chairs out there in areas that are well over 15 years old. In some cases, these chairs have been used by 3 or 4 children.

  • On average, the cost of adapting an existing VELA Tango for a new user is on £250-500
  • In some cases the spend can be zero!
  • Compared again to the cost of a new chair of £2,500, there is another £2,000 saved each time this occurs.

The more VELA Tango chairs you have in circulation, the greater your savings!