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Reach Key (Wheelchair loading assist tool)

Reach Key is a patent-pending tool that empowers caregiver-drivers to access floor-mounted retractor systems with reduced strain safely. It improves loading efficiency, reduces injury risk, and supports greater mobility in wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Our motto is “Help Others, Help Others” and Reach Key is the first of our product line to fulfill that!
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https://insightfuel.square.site/
About this idea
Did you know that 96% of wheelchair users need transportation help to go to non-emergency medical appointments? Every year 40-60 million wheelchair patients are transported in the US to these appointments. They must be transported safely. There are many vehicle types, and one of the most popular has some challenging user experience issues for the drivers when securing wheelchairs. The drivers and caregivers use retractors or connectors to ensure the wheelchair is secured properly for travel. The main issue for some users is simply reaching or accessing some of these retractors. Reach Key solves this by providing users with a greater ability to reach these and connect the wheelchairs than ever before. Several seasoned industry trainers see Reach Key as a needed solution to this problem. Best of all, when a wheelchair occupant sees the driver using Reach Key, they are often impressed by how it helps the entire trip to be more efficient. We launched Reach Key in August 2025 and have had initial sales across the US. We are an official vendor for the Abilities Expo in Chicago this June 2026 and are excited to get the word out about Reach Key!
Impact
The wheelchair transport industry is identified as NEMT (Non Emergency Medical Transportation). NEMT providers, drivers/caregivers, find Reach Key to provide the following advantages: • Less strain and stress on wheelchair caregivers and drivers. • Allow a greater number of drivers to serve wheelchair users than before. • Enables driver retention (an easier process is easier on the drivers). • The potential to lower workers' (drivers') comp claims. • Supports proper retractor securement as the industry's current estimates 25-50% of wheelchairs are not secured properly • It gives wheelchair users the option to help the loading/unloading process by using Reach Key if they choose to. • 5% of all Reach Key sales go to wheelchair users in need.
What I'll do with $5,000
With $5000 we would be able to do some or all of the following with Michigan resources: • Hire a firm to secure and finalize patent(s). • Build up inventory in prep for our June 2026 show at the Abilities Expo in Chicago. • Generate social media, sales, and marketing content to drive awareness and sales.
Quick Bio
Mike is a design leader with utility patents and deep experience in automotive + consumer innovation. He founded Insightfuel and created Reach Key to improve wheelchair transport safety.
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