April—June 2020

April—June 2020 | Volume 27 Issue 2

Life Moving Forward Arbitration Clauses are a Dealership’s Best Friend Mobility MY Way Is There Ever a RIGHT Time for Training? ...and so much more!

THE NMEDA MAGAZINE

NMEDA’s VA Invoice Program Starts to Show Results

See pg. 30

2020 Conference Recap See pg. 34

NMEDA.org

NMEDA____________________

Advocating Automotive Mobility _____________for Your Clients

Learn About Mobility Solutions and Earn CEU Credits for Free Advocating Automotive Mobility for your Clients: Driver Rehabilitation and Automotive Mobility Solutions Course (AAM) The National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) is offering an introductory level online CE course to help healthcare professionals understand automotive mobility solutions for patients with disabilities. By learning about automotive vehicle modifications, health professionals will be able to suggest options for caregivers or patients who want to drive but need accommodations. Topics covered include learning about the importance of Mobility and Related Services, Driving as an Instrumental ADL, Diagnosis, Assessment, and 5 Real-life Case Studies.

NMEDA's AAM Course is: • Offered online, for your convenience • AOTA,

ADED, CCMC pre-approved for .15 CEU (1.5 Contact Hours)

FREE

FOR ALL ATTENDEES

Sign Up Online At www.NMEDA.com/CEU For more information and the direct course link, access through the Healthstream® Learning Center or contact NMEDA at learning@NMEDA.org or 813.264.2697.

Apr–Jun 2020

2

NMEDA CIRCUIT BREAKER

APR—JUN 2020

THE NMEDA MAGAZINE

President Christian Quandt

CEO Danny Langfield

Layout, Editor & Creative Director Katie McDonald

Contributing Writers Harry Baergen Patricia E.M. Covington Andy Ghillyer Chuck Hardy Danny Langfield Katie McDonald David Parton Mike Savicki Amy Schoppman

The Circuit Breaker is published quarterly by the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association.

3327 W. Bearss Avenue Tampa, FL 33618 For business office, advertising, and subscriptions: Tel: 813.264.2697 Toll-Free: 800.833.0427 www.nmeda.org info@nmeda.org

VOLUME 27, ISSUE 2

CONTENTS

FEATURES

COLUMNS

8

18

Arbitration Clauses are a Dealership’s Best Friend - By Patricia E.M. Covington

24 Is There Ever a Right Time

for Training?

- By Andy Ghillyer 27 Bylaws Changes and Dues Amounts 30

On the Cover ROI In Action: NMEDA’s VA Past Due Invoice Program Starts to Show Results - By Amy Schoppman

34 2020 Annual Conference & Expo

- By Katie McDonald

CEO’s Message - By Danny Langfield

20 Industry Advisor

- By Harry Baergen 28

Canada President’s Message - By David Parton

44 QAP Straight Talk

- By Chuck Hardy

ALSO

4

Board of Directors

6

Staff Directory

10 Dealer Member Directory 48 GR Report: VMSA Rulemaking,

Auto Grant Bill Updates

- By Amy Schoppman

25 Around the Industry

50 Mobility MY Way

- By Mike Savicki

52 Industry Member Directory

46 QAP Dashboard

54 Allied Health Professional

Member Directory 57 Edu/Government/Non-Profit

Member Directory

Subscription rates for the USA and Canada: $16.50/four issues.

Back issues are available by calling the NMEDA office.

58 Dates to Remember

All rights are reserved under copyright laws © 2020.

The articles published in the Circuit Breaker reflect the opinions of their authors, not NMEDA. As such, NMEDA neither takes a position on nor assumes responsibility for the accuracy of the information or statements contained therein.

NMEDA MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association is to advocate and establish excellence in providing safe, reliable transportation solutions to enhance accessibility.

Apr–Jun 2020

3

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Christian Quandt, President

David Parton, Canadian President

Advanced Wheels 33 Bradley Park Road East Granby, CT 06026 860.653.8064 phone christian@advancedwheels.com

Mobility in Motion 1710 Bishop Street N., Unit 8 Cambridge, ON N1T 1T2 519.623.9930 phone david@mobilityinmotion.net

Sam Cook, Vice President

Anne Hegberg, Associate Rep.

Superior Van & Mobility 1506 Lakeshore Court Louisville, KY 40223 502.447.8267 phone scook@superiorvan.com

Marianjoy Rehab Hospital 26W171 Roosevelt Road Wheaton, IL 60187 630.909.6080 phone anne.hegberg@nm.org

Eric Mansfield, Secretary

Catherine Martin, Rep. at Large 1

MobilityWorks 810 Moe Drive Akron, OH 44310 800.638.8267 phone eric.mansfield@mobilityworks.com

Ilderton Conversions 701 South Main Street High Point, NC 27260 336.841.6100 phone cmartin@ilderton.com

Jud DeMott, Treasurer Access 2 Mobility, Inc. 12406 State Highway 155 South Tyler, TX 75703 877.254.5438 phone jud.demott@gmail.com

Gina Lewis, Manufacturer Rep.

Total Mobility Services 4785 Penn Avenue Boswell, PA 15531 330.888.9941 phone dennis@tmservices.com

Bob Lundin Rep. at Large 3

Adapt-Solutions 145 Damase-Breton St-Lambert, QC G0S 2W0 866.641.0419 phone ginalewis@adapt-solutions.ca

MobilityWorks 810 Moe Drive Akron, OH 44310 800.638.8267 phone bob.lundin@mobilityworks.com

Kevin McMahon, Manufacturer Rep.

Dan Walsh Rep. at Large 4

BraunAbility P.O. Box 310 Winamac, IN 46996 800.843.5438 phone kevin.mcmahon@braunability.com

Bussani Mobility 500 Central Avenue Bethpage, NY 11714 516.938.5207 phone dwalsh@wegetyouthere.com

Chad Blake, Past President Ability Center 4797 Ruffner Street San Diego, CA 92111 858.541.0552 phone cblake@abilitycenter.com

4

Dennis Charvat, Rep. at Large 2

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

MOBILITY

INNOVATIONS

800 488 7688

www.mobilityinnovators.com

The Jimmy by Veigel is a seat belt assist device designed to aid drivers and passengers with buckling and unbuckling the seat belt buckle in an automobile.

The Jimmy’s ergonomic design is light weight and easy to use. Buckling: The ergonomic joystick grip gives you more control to easily engage the buckle.

Un-Buckling: Simply pull back on The Jimmy lever while pressing the release button to effortlessly disengage the buckle. Safety: Pulling back on the lever alone will not disengage the buckle. The release button has been designed to prevent unintended disengagement of the buckle.

Light weight ergonomic design for maximum comfort Safety release button prevents unintended disengagement of the buckle Vehicle specific mounting brackets ensure a safe fit and no damage to your automobile safety belt buckle Specific applications available to fit most vehicles Installation is quick and easy

within minutes

Simply clamp the vehicle specific side brackets to the male side of the buckle Can be removed without damage to the factory belt buckle

Apr–Jun 2020

5

NMEDA STAFF DIRECTORY Danny Langfield CEO danny.langfield@nmeda.org

Kristen Clevidence QAP Coordinator kristen.clevidence@nmeda.org

Mikala Ballard Membership & Administration Coordinator mikala.ballard@nmeda.org

Andy Ghillyer Director of Education & Training andy.ghillyer@nmeda.org

Chuck Hardy Director of Quality Assurance & Compliance chuck.hardy@nmeda.org

Trevor Jennings Director of Partner Relations trevor.jennings@nmeda.org

Katie McDonald Manager of Communications & Social katie.mcdonald@nmeda.org

Marilyn Myers Meetings & Conferences Manager marilyn.myers@nmeda.org

Amy Schoppman Director of Government Relations amy.schoppman@nmeda.org

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NMEDA Circuit Breaker

A Note from the Editor As you know, a recent bylaws change has been approved to better categorize our member types. You can read more about this change on page 27. You will also notice that this change has resulted in our directories looking a bit different as well! We appreciate your patience as we work to implement a completely new AMS (association management system) that will include these new categories. In the meantime we’re doing our best to smoothly transition our current systems to manage these changes. If you have any questions please email us at info@ nmeda.org.

Plug N Play for Sienna and Pacifica Drive-Master Co., Inc. 37 Daniel Road West Fairfield, NJ 07004 Phone: (973) 808-9709 Fax: (973) 808-9713 peter@DriveMasterMobility.com DriveMasterMobility.com

Independent Driving Systems Inc. 580 TC Jester Blvd.

Houston, TX 77007 Phone: (713) 864-1460 Fax: (713) 864-1469 info@IndependentDrivingSystems.com IndependentDrivingSystems.com

Introducing the New GEN-XR and PNP-70!

GEN-XR

PNP-70

The GEN-XR is our easiest to install reduced steering system. The GEN-XR allows for 0-100%, and anywhere in between, reduction to the steering. The steering effort can easily be adjusted on the fly by the dealer and locked in. The GEN-XR is a plug n play installation on the Toyota Sienna and Chrysler Pacifica only needing 3 wires to be soldered (ignition and CAN).

The Plug N Play 70 offers 70 functions for the Pacifica with a simple box that plugs into the OBD-II. The functions are controlled via a tablet. An option is available for Toyota but is not fully plug n play and thus requires tapping a few wires.

Key Features

Key Features

Plug N Play easy installation 0-100% range of reduction (and anywhere in between) Switch over to OEM steering for family members to drive Safety oriented with an advanced backup system Includes phone for adjusting effort and monitoring any errors

Plug N Play easy installation Control HVAC, Windows, Mirrors and more Small form factor

Apr–Jun 2020

7

GUEST SPEAKER

Arbitration Clauses Are a Dealership’s Best Friend

By Patricia E.M. Covington HUDSON COOK, LLP

W

e track litigation in the

his vehicle for a new Silverado.

auto sales, finance, and

Among the documents Green

lease areas each month,

and we’ve done so for nearly 30 years. In the beginning, we saw a lot of cases based on claims of fraud, improper disclosures, and violations of state and federal consumer protection laws and regulations. A very unscientific study—basically an informed guess by me—indicates that the theories of the cases we have tracked over the years have changed and that the overall volume of cases has dropped.

A reduction in the number of cases is due, in my view, to improved vehicle quality—car buyers whose cars are performing well tend not to

signed as part of the purchase transaction was a Buyer’s Order,

argument that the arbitration

Green that it was unable to obtain

provision was unconscionable

financing for him and asked him to

because the argument was directed

return the vehicle.

at the arbitration provision itself,

Green allegedly asked for his 2014 vehicle back, but Kline had already sold it. Green sued Kline for violating the Truth in Lending Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Kline moved to compel arbitration pursuant to the arbitration provision in the Buyer’s Order. The federal trial court granted Kline’s motion. language in the arbitration provision

in the reduction of reported cases,

clearly delegated power to the

however—the growing use by dealers

arbitrator to decide “gateway”

and finance sources of arbitration

issues of arbitrability. Green argued

agreements in their deal documents.

that he was fraudulently induced

courtrooms. Here’s an example of an arbitration clause in action.

Darryl Green went to Kline Chevrolet Sales Corp., d/b/a Priority Chevrolet, to service his 2014 Chevrolet Silverado. While Green was at the dealership, he traded in

8

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

not the court.

The court did address Green’s

believe that there is another factor

buyer-dealer disputes out of the

must be decided by the arbitrator,

provision. Kline later informed

First, the court concluded that the

be working pretty well at getting

of the Buyer’s Order as a whole

which contained an arbitration

voice complaints and hire lawyers. I

Those arbitration clauses seem to

found that the issue of the validity

to enter into the Buyer’s Order containing the arbitration provision because of Kline’s representations that it had secured financing for the vehicle.

Because Green contended that he was fraudulently induced into entering the Buyer’s Order generally, not the arbitration provision specifically, the court

not the Buyer’s Order as a whole.

The court found that the arbitration provision was part of a contract of adhesion, which suggested a degree of procedural unconscionability.

However, the court found that the arbitration provision was not substantively unconscionable (a $10 lawyer word that essentially means “really unfair”). Among other things, the court found that the terms of the arbitration provision did not unfairly favor one party over the other and did not impose an undue burden on one of the parties.

Finally, the court rejected Green’s argument that the arbitration provision was substantively unconscionable because it waived his federal claims and thus violated public policy. The court found that nothing precluded the arbitrator from considering potential violations of federal law.

The takeaway from this one? I see several.

First, this dealership’s use of

fair and should be binding on car

an arbitration agreement in its

buyers.

transactions with its customers gave

Finally, although Kline won this round,

it a first and effective line of defense in a forum (an arbitration proceeding) that is probably less hostile to dealers than a jury might be.

the fight isn’t over yet. Green still has a shot at recovering damages awarded by the arbitrator.

Green v. Kline Chevrolet Sales Corp., 2019 U.S.

Second, this federal trial court

Dist. LEXIS 133293 (E.D. Va. August 7, 2019).

determined that the arbitration

---

agreement in question was not substantively unconscionable and, thus, was enforceable, adding to the large majority of court decisions that conclude that the arbitration agreements commonly used by

*Patricia E.M. Covington is a partner in the Virginia office of Hudson Cook, LLP. Patty has significant experience in, and is a frequent writer and speaker on, matters relating to dealer, credit, marketing, and privacy law.

She can be reached at 804.212.1201 or by email at pcovington@hudco.com.

dealerships these days are generally

IN MEMORIAM Beverly Bruno, Bruno Independent Living AIds NMEDA was recently informed of the passing of Beverly Bruno, co-founder of Bruno Independent Living Aids. Below is the notice we received from the company: Launching a successful business takes courage and drive from the entrepreneur, and commitment and support from the entrepreneur’s family.

Bruno mourns the passing of Beverly Bruno, wife of Mike Bruno, Sr., the late founder of the company. Several of Beverly’s children and grandchildren—including current CEO Mike Bruno—along with over 400 other employees now work at Bruno.

Beverly was the “wind beneath the wings” of her entrepreneur husband, loving mother of seven children, grandmother of 17, and great-grandmother of 12.

Marcus Smith, Access Vans of Louisiana NMEDA is sad to share the passing of Marcus Smith, former owner of Access Vans of Louisiana Inc. and NMEDA board member. A long-time supporter of the mobility industry and NMEDA, Marcus was inducted into the NMEDA Hall of Fame in 2013. Our thoughts are with Marcus’s family and loved ones.

Apr–Jun 2020

9

NMEDA DEALER MEMBERS UNITED STATES ____________________________

ALABAMA Griffin Mobility 213 Chestnut Street NW Hartselle, AL 35640 (256) 751-1365 1 Gulf States Mobility 1647 Coosa River Parkway Wetumpka, AL 36092 (334) 514-6590 1,2,3 MobilityWorks 3747 Pine Lane SE Bessemer, AL 35022 (205) 426-8261 1,3 MobilityWorks 2150 Meridian Street North Huntsville, AL 35811 (234) 542-3022 1,3 Superior Van & Mobility 2015 Eastern Blvd.

Montgomery, AL 36117 (334) 244-1011 1,3 Sylacauga Handicapped Inc 1304 Talladega Hwy Sylacauga, AL 35150 (256) 249-3717 1,2,3 Team Adaptive Medical Inc 1251 Boltons Branch Drive Mobile, AL 36606 (251) 471-1088 1,3

____________________________

ARIZONA Ability Center - Phoenix 23606 N 19th Ave Phoenix, AZ 85085 (623) 879-0800 1,3 Ability Center - Phoenix West 13765 W Auto Drive Suite 125 Goodyear, AZ 85338 (623) 242-0552 1,3 Ability Center - Tucson 4720 N La Cholla Blvd \Suite 150 Tucson, AZ 85705 (520) 293-3596 1,3

10

United Access 1825 E Germann Road Suite 24 Chandler, AZ 85286 (877) 501-8267 1,2,3 United Access 14885 N 83rd Pl., Ste 105 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 (877) 501-8267 1

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ARKANSAS Mobility Centers of Arkansas LLC 712 Hwy 5 N Benton, AR 72019 (501) 794-3100 1,3 Superior Van & Mobility 2887 N College Ave Suite B Fayetteville, AR 72703 (479) 521-8433 1,3 Superior Van & Mobility 2500 Commerce Dr Building A Suite B Jonesboro, AR 72401 (870) 933-7270 1,3 Superior Van & Mobility 7323 Cock of the Walk Suite B North Little Rock, AR 72113 (501) 725-9070 1,3 ____________________________

CALIFORNIA Ability Center 2563 N. Fordham Avenue Fresno, CA 93727 (559) 291-2563 1,3 Ability Center 3285 Santa Rosa Avenue Suite A Santa Rosa, CA 95707 (707) 575-6997 1,3 Ability Center - Inland Empire 711 S Allen St San Bernardino, CA 92408 (909) 383-3883 1,3 Ability Center - Los Angeles 2715 Seaboard Ln Long Beach, CA 90805 (562) 634-5962 1,3

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

Ability Center - Orange Co 11600 Western Avenue Stanton, CA 90680 (714) 890-8262 1,3

MobilityWorks 325 North Altadena Drive Pasadena, CA 91107 (626) 584-8181 1,3

Ability Center Sacramento 6550 Freeport Blvd Suite A Sacramento, CA 95822 (916) 392-1196 1,3

MobilityWorks 7239 Indiana Avenue Riverside, CA 92504 (951) 686-3152 1,3

Ability Center - San Diego 4797 Ruffner Street San Diego, CA 92111 (858) 541-0552 1,3 Ability Center - San Luis Obispo 3548 Empleo St San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (805) 549-7996 1,3 Access Options, Inc. 41545 Albrae St Fremont, CA 94538 (408) 734-5438 1 Access Options, Inc. 109 Lee Road Suite D Watsonville, CA 95076 (831) 722-6804 1,2,3 AERO Mobility 1001 N Weir Canyon Road Anaheim, CA 92807 (714) 973-8600 1,2,3 Driving Specialties of Sacramento 2216 Cemo Circle #A Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 (916) 635-2765 1 Economy Medical Lifestyle Mobility 4025 Nelson Ave. Suite B Concord, CA 94520 (925) 671-4800 1 Gary E. Colle, Inc./dba Goldenboy of San Diego 12130 Dearborn Place Poway, CA 92064 (858) 748-9414 1,3 MobilityWorks 1424 S La Cienega Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90035 (310) 432-0700 1,3 MobilityWorks 1822 Embarcadero Avenue Oakland, CA 94606 (234) 542-3022 1

MobilityWorks 1245 Laurelwood Rd Santa Clara, CA 95054 (888) 473-5402 1,3 MobilityWorks - San Diego 8130 Parkway Drive LaMesa, CA 91942 (619) 474-4072 1 MobilityWorks of California 890 Cowan Road Suite B Burlingame, CA 94010 (800) 225-7361 1,3 MobilityWorks of California 1300 Nord Avenue Chico, CA 95926 (800) 225-7361 1,3 MobilityWorks of California 120 North Diamond Street Fresno, CA 93701 (559) 268-9394 1,3 MobilityWorks of California 3127 Fite Circle Suite B Sacramento, CA 95827 (800) 225-7361 1 MobilityWorks of California 7720 North Sepulveda Blvd Van Nuys, CA 91405 (888) 473-5402 1,3 Modesto Mobility Center Inc 1025 Lone Palm Avenue Suite 5A-B Modesto, CA 95351 (209) 577-1069 1,3 SACVANS Mobility 5821 Florin Perkins Road Sacramento, CA 95828 (916) 381-8267 1

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COLORADO Colorado Fleet & Mobility, dba Mobility of Denver 2311 S Platte River Drive Denver, CO 80223 (844) 289-2635 1

1 = Mobility Equipment Installer 2 = Structural Vehicle Modifier 3 = High Tech Driving Systems Installer

Frontier Access & Mobility Systems, Inc. 819 E. Mulberry St. Fort Collins, CO 80524 (970) 223-8267 1 Mobility Driven 832 Nth Crest Unit B Grand Junction, CO 81506 (970) 712-1435 1 MobilityWorks 4750 S Santa Fe Circle Suite 5 Englewood, CO 80110 (720) 640-9989 1,3 United Access 6285 Corporate Dr Colorado Springs, CO 80919 (877) 501-8267 1 United Access 9500 W 49th Ave Ste C107 Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 (877) 501-8267 1,2,3 United Access (Denver) 5910 E County Line Rd Highlands Ranch, CO 80126 (877) 501-8267 1,2,3

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CONNECTICUT Advanced Wheels 33 Bradley Park Road East Granby, CT 06026 (860) 653-8064 1,2,3 Advanced Wheels 650 Coe Avenue Suite 2 East Haven, CT 06512 (203) 800-8064 1 CT Mobility/Columbia Ford Inc. 234 Route 6 Columbia, CT 06237 (860) 922-7482 1 MobilityWorks 104 Pitkin Street E. Hartford, CT 06108 (860) 282-8202 1,3 Wheelchair Getaways 32 Stony Hill Rd. Bethel, CT 06801 (203) 790-9998 1

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DELAWARE MobilityWorks 1010 Contractors Way Bear, DE 19701 (302) 613-7555 1 True Mobility Inc 773 South DuPont Hwy New Castle, DE 19720 (302) 836-4110 1

____________________________

FLORIDA Active Mobility and Design, Inc. dba Buddy’s Holiday Mobility 6144 S US Highway 1 Fort Pierce, FL 34982 (772) 465-9600 1,3 Advanced Driving Systems, Inc. 662 Capital Cir NE Tallahassee, FL 32301 (850) 671-2300 1,2,3 Auto Express South 4852 Palm Beach Blvd Fort Myers, FL 33905 (239) 693-4000 1 Custom Mobility 7199 Bryan Dairy Road Largo, FL 33777 (727) 539-8119 1 In Motion Mobility LLC 2201 NW 102 Place #1 Doral, FL 33172 (786) 534-2046 1,3 Kempf Inc 5532 56th Commerce Park Blvd.

Tampa, FL 33610 (813) 630-0409 1,3 Mike Erdman Mobility 4650 US Highway 520 Cocoa, FL 32926 (321) 636-8887 1 Mobility America 5130 Hwy 98 N Lakeland, FL 33809 (863) 816-1513 1 Mobility Express 4320 US Highway 19 New Port Richey, FL 34652 (727) 849-0262 1

Mobility Express Inc 7910 Ulmerton Road Largo, FL 33771 (727) 556-2917 1

MobilityWorks 1505 Capital Circle NW Tallahassee, FL 32303 (850) 224-4383 1

Mobility Transportation Systems 4010 East Hillsborough Ave Tampa, FL 33610 (813) 246-9116 1,2,3

MobilityWorks 8706D East Broadway Ave Tampa, FL 33619 (813) 628-4255 1,3

MobilityWorks 20354 US Hwy 27 Clermont, FL 34715 (352) 322-2256 1,3 MobilityWorks 5601 Powerline Road Suite 104 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 (954) 974-7028 1 MobilityWorks 12530 Metro Parkway Fort Myers, FL 33966 (239) 275-1900 1 MobilityWorks 2727 St Johns Bluff Road S Jacksonville, FL 32246 (904) 281-0111 1,3 MobilityWorks 1925 10th Ave N Unit 1 Lake Worth, FL 33461 (561) 586-1997 1,3 MobilityWorks 8203 Ulmerton Road Largo, FL 33771 (727) 521-4248 1,3 MobilityWorks 5201 NW 77th Ave Suite 100 Miami, FL 33166 (305) 234-0071 1,3 MobilityWorks 7265 SW 62nd Ave Unit 1 Ocala, FL 34476 (352) 300-1173 1 MobilityWorks 7260 Narcoossee Road Orlando, FL 32822 (407) 674-8778 1,3 MobilityWorks 364 Destination Daytona Ln Ormond Beach, FL 32137 (386) 586-5495 1,3

Ocean Conversions & Mobility 750 East Sample Road Bldg 1 Suite 3 Pompano Beach, FL 33064 (954) 942-6033 1,2,3 Ocean Conversions of Fort Myers Inc 5751 Zip Drive Ft. Myers, FL 33905 (239) 936-6333 1,2,3 P&A Mobility Enterprises Inc 320 Cortez Road West Bradenton, FL 34207 (941) 739-5596 1 Piper Medical Mobility & Accessibility 1885-B NE 149th Street North Miami, FL 33181 (305) 940-2030 1,3 Superior Van & Mobility 130 Industrial Blvd.

Pensacola, FL 32505 (850) 378-8914 1,3 Team Adaptive 3618 N Pace Blvd Pensacola, FL 32505 (850) 332-1688 1,3 Team Adaptive Inc 1201 Harrison Avenue Panama City, FL 32401 (850) 522-0059 1 The Mobility Store LLC 915 N Florida Ave Lakeland, FL 33801 (863) 688-3900 1

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GEORGIA Adaptive Driving Solutions 3027 Riverwatch Parkway Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-2688 1,2,3

Apr–Jun 2020

11

NMEDA DEALER MEMBERS Custom Mobility Van & Lift Sales & Svcs. LLC 315 Whitehead Rd Athens, GA 30606 (706) 353-1099 1,3 MobilityWorks 3700 Dekalb Technology Pkwy Atlanta, GA 30340 (470) 427-0696 1,3 MobilityWorks 1255 Kennestone Circle Suite 100 Marietta, GA 30066 (800) 444-9100 1,3 MobilityWorks 3938 Ogeechee Road Savannah, GA 31405 (912) 233-1050 1 Quail Country Customs Inc 2635 Hwy 247 Connector Byron, GA 31008 (478) 956-1225 1 R & R Van Lift Sales & Service 2130 Sigman Road Conyers, GA 30012 (770) 483-0767 1,2,3 R & R Van Lift Sales and Service 164 Commerce Blvd Athens, GA 30606 (470) 276-6282 1

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HAWAII Soderholm Mobility 2044 Dillingham Blvd Honolulu, HI 96819 (808) 834-1417 1,3

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ILLINOIS Alternative Mobility Solutions, Inc. dba AMS Auto 1340 Cobblestone Way Woodstock, IL 60098 (815) 527-7297 1,3 MobilityWorks 9207 N Milwaukee Ave Niles, IL 60714 (847) 673-4300 1,3

MobilityWorks 23855 W Andrew Road Plainfield, IL 60585 (888) 473-5402 1,3 MobilityWorks 155 East North Avenue Villa Park, IL 60181 (888) 473-5402 1,3 Personal Mobility 1109 Parkland Ct Champaign, IL 61821 (217) 398-1188 1,3 Personal Mobility 7611 N Harker Drive Peoria, IL 61615 (309) 966-3089 1,3 Personal Mobility 2924 N Dirksen Parkway Springfield, IL 62702 (217) 544-2699 1,3 Southern Bus and Mobility 12950 Koch Lane Breese, IL 62230 (618) 526-4131 1,3

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INDIANA MobilityWorks 1710 W 81st Avenue Merrillville, IN 46410 (234) 200-1339 1,3 Superior Van & Mobility 3414 Interstate Drive Evansville, IN 47715 (855) 208-5576 1,3 Superior Van & Mobility 13095 Parkside Drive Fishers, IN 46038 (317) 436-6722 1,3 Superior Van & Mobility 2218 Contractors Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46818 (855) 208-5576 1,3 Superior Van & Mobility 5410 South Madison Ave Indianapolis, IN 46227 (855) 208-5576 1,3

Superior Van & Mobility 4246 Meghan Beeler Ct. Suite 1 South Bend, IN 46628 (855) 208-5576 1,3

LOUISIANA

IOWA

FastServ Medical Bossier 1329 Driftwood Drive Bossier City, LA 71111 (318) 741-9586 1,3

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Mobility Centers of Iowa LLC 3450 SE Miehe Drive Suite 1 Grimes, IA 50111 (515) 986-3010 1,3 Siebert Mobility of Iowa LLC 3554 Dolphin Drive Iowa City, IA 52240 (319) 351-3159 1,3

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KANSAS Banner Mobility Resources Inc. 231 SE 53rd St Ste C Topeka, KS 66609 (785) 235-3070 1 Jay Hatfield Mobility LLC 200 S East Avenue Columbus, KS 66725 (800) 545-4227 1 Jay Hatfield Mobility LLC 11922 East Kellogg Wichita, KS 67207 (620) 429-2636 1 Kansas Truck Mobility 8846 West Monroe Circle Wichita, KS 67209 (316) 722-4291 1 United Access 7921 Bond St Lenexa, KS 66214 (877) 501-8267 1,3

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KENTUCKY Superior Van & Mobility 761 East New Circle Road Lexington, KY 40505 (855) 208-5576 1,3 Superior Van & Mobility LLC 1506 Lakeshore Court Louisville, KY 40223 (855) 208-5576 1,3

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12

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

Crescent Vans, Inc. 2424 Hickory Ave Metairie, LA 70003 (504) 738-2634 1,3

Fastserv Medical Monroe 112 Summer Lane West Monroe, LA 71291 (318) 396-3366 1,3 Superior Van & Mobility 12329 Industriplex Blvd Baton Rouge, LA 70809 (855) 208-5576 1,3 Superior Van & Mobility 1901 Westbank Expressway Suite 500 Harvey, LA 70058 (855) 208-5576 1

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MAINE Advanced Modifications Inc. 1766 Hammond Street Hermon, ME 04401 (207) 848-8226 1,3 MobilityWorks 32 Lewiston Road Unit 2B Gray, ME 04039 (207) 657-6664 1,3 ____________________________

MARYLAND Auto Assist Inc 5002 Lehigh Road College Park, MD 20740 (301) 699-2238 1 BEDCO Mobility 6300 Falls Rd Unit 2 Baltimore, MD 21209 (410) 825-1440 1 Koons Ford of Annapolis 2540 Riva Road Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 224-2100 1,3

1 = Mobility Equipment Installer 2 = Structural Vehicle Modifier 3 = High Tech Driving Systems Installer

MobilityWorks 11409 Maryland Avenue Beltsville, MD 20705 (301) 595-4466 1,3 MobilityWorks 2601 N Rolling Road Windsor, MD 21244 (443) 384-0080 1 Oneness Mobility Services 7701 Penn Belt Drive Forestville, MD 20747 (301) 568-6686 1,2,3 The Customizers, Inc. 14133 Pennsylvania Ave Hagerstown, MD 21742 (301) 797-7727 1 Total Mobility Services Inc 5411 Yukon Court Suite B Frederick, MD 21703 (240) 490-7840 1,3

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MASSACHUSETTS Adaptive Mobility Equipment, Inc. 1551 Fall River Ave Seekonk, MA 02771 (508) 336-2556 1,3 MobilityWorks 57 George Levin Drive N. Attleboro, MA 02760 (508) 643-0605 1,3

Clock Mobility 5540 S Pennsylvania Ave Suite 11 Lansing, MI 48911 (517) 272-4488 1

IMED Mobility Inc 1915 County Road C Roseville, MN 55113 (651) 635-0655 1,2,3

Clock Mobility 587 W Blue Star Drive Traverse City, MI 49684 (231) 943-9890 1

MISSISSIPPI

Creative Mobility Group, Inc. 7740 Clyde Park Avenue SW Byron Center, MI 49315 (616) 583-9730 1

____________________________

Handicapable Vans Inc 5516 North State Street Jackson, MS 39206 (601) 981-0042 1,2,3 Js Mobility Unlimited Inc 3880 Flowood Drive Flowood, MS 39232 (601) 939-2112 1,2,3

Creative Mobility Group, Inc. 32217 Stephenson Hwy Madison Heights, MI 48071 (248) 577-5430 1,3

Mobility Systems Inc 2857 Oak Grove Road Hattiesburg, MS 39402 (601) 264-0609 1,2,3

Creative Mobility Group, Inc 33073 Michigan Avenue Wayne, MI 48184 (734) 595-4400 1,3

Team Adaptive Inc 978 Tommy Munro Drive Biloxi, MS 39532 (228) 388-5700 1,3

MobilityWorks 1604 East 14 Mile Road Madison Heights, MI 48071 (888) 473-5402 1,3 MobilityWorks 8175 Gratiot Road Saginaw, MI 48609 (888) 473-5402 1,3

Total Mobility Concepts LLC 2074 Cliff Gookin Blvd Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 269-2068 1

____________________________

MISSOURI

United Access 980 S Highway Dr Fenton, MO 63026 (877) 501-8267 1 United Access 8200 NW 97th Ter Kansas City, MO 64153 (877) 501-8267 1,3 United Access 1389 N Cedarbrook Ave Springfield, MO 65802 (877) 501-8267 1,3 United Access 9389 Natural Bridge Rd St Louis, MO 63134 (877) 501-8267 1,2,3 ____________________________

NEBRASKA Mobility Centers of Nebraska LLC 4044 S 60th Street Omaha, NE 68117 (402) 991-2555 1,3 Mobility Motoring 7222 South 142nd Street Omaha, NE 68138 (402) 884-3333 1,3 Superior Van & Mobility 11147 Mockingbird Dr. Omaha, NE 68137 (402) 934-7826 1,3

MINNESOTA

DW Auto & Home Mobility Specialties 1208 N Garth Ave Columbia, MO 65203 (800) 568-2271 1,2,3

Bert’s Truck Equipment of Moorhead, Inc. 3804 Hwy 75 North Moorhead, MN 56560 (218) 233-8681 1

Jay Hatfield Mobility LLC 1115 SW Oldham Parkway Lee Summit, MO 64081 (620) 429-2636 1

Ability Center - Las Vegas 6001 S Decatur Blvd Suite N Las Vegas, NV 89118 (702) 434-3030 1,3

Cummings Mobility 6540 Jansen Ave NE Albertville, MN 55301 (763) 497-0103 1,2,3

Southern Bus & Mobility Inc 80 South Highway Drive Valley Park, MO 63088 (636) 825-0700 1

MobilityWorks 2100 S. Decatur Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89102 (702) 876-9606 1,3

Access Mobility Center 7620 Eastman Avenue Midland, MI 48642 (989) 633-6100 1

Cummings Mobility 2511 West Hwy 13 Burnsville, MN 55337 (952) 435-8889 1

United Access 753 S Kingshighway St Cape Girardeau, MO 63703 (877) 501-8267 1

Clock Mobility 6700 Clay Ave Grand Rapids, MI 49548 (616) 698-9400 1,2,3

Cummings Mobility 2940 Rice St. Little Canada, MN 55113 (651) 633-7887 1

United Access 618 Jackson St Columbia, MO 65203 (877) 501-8267 1,3

MobilityWorks 333 Boston Providence Hwy Bldg C Norwood, MA 02062 (781) 278-8885 1,3 MobilityWorks 299 Washington Street Suite H Woburn, MA 01801 (339) 298-5650 1,3

____________________________

MICHIGAN

____________________________

____________________________

NEVADA

____________________________

NEW HAMPSHIRE MobilityWorks 54 Wentworth Avenue Londonderry, NH 03053 (603) 437-4444 1,2,3

Apr–Jun 2020

13

NMEDA DEALER MEMBERS New England Motor Car Co Inc 13 River Road Hudson, NH 03051 (603) 888-1207 1,3

____________________________

NEW JERSEY Brunswick Automotive Professionals 1490 US 1 North North Brunswick, NJ 08902 (732) 545-6300 1,3

Advance Mobility Plus Inc 847 East 43rd Street Brooklyn, NY 11210 (718) 253-1212 1 Agor Enterprises, Inc 951 Panorama Trail South Rochester, NY 14625 (585) 385-2556 1 Agor Enterprises, Inc 1241 Erie Blvd W Syracuse, NY 13204 (315) 510-4272 1

United Access 2211 Erie Blvd E Syracuse, NY 13224 (877) 501-8267 1

NORTH CAROLINA

Columbus Mobility Specialists, LLC 6330 Proprietors Rd Suite C Worthington, OH 43085 (614) 825-8996 1,2,3

Care Solutions 110 B Edney Street Hendersonville, NC 28792 (828) 698-9844 1

Key Mobility Services 1944 US State Route 68 N Xenia, OH 45385 (937) 374-3226 1 Marietta Mobility Steves Vans & Accessories Unl 221 Pike Street Marietta, OH 45750 (800) 690-4950 1,2,3

____________________________

Drive-Master Systems & Controls 37 Daniel Road West Fairfield, NJ 07004 (973) 808-9709 1,2,3

Boulevard Van City 2708 Niagara Falls Blvd Wheatfield, NY 14304 (716) 731-4335 1,3

Helping Wheels Mobility & Conversions 1078 Tunnel Road Suite F - Box 6 Asheville, NC 28805 (828) 552-3900 1

FTMobility 255 US Highway 46 West Saddle Brook, NJ 07663 (973) 546-1900 1

Bussani Mobility 500 Central Ave Bethpage, NY 11714 (516) 938-5207 1,3

Ilderton Conversion Company 701 South Main Street High Point, NC 27260 (336) 841-2020 1,2,3

MobilityWorks 2303 Wallace Blvd Cinnaminson, NJ 08077 (888) 473-5402 1,3

Bussani Mobility 501 Concord Avenue Mamaroneck, NY 10543 (914) 835-8267 1,3

MobilityWorks 5105 New Jersey Route 33 Farmingdale, NJ 07727 (888) 473-5402 1,3

Bussani Mobility Team East, LLC 401 E Middle Country Road Smithtown, NY 11787 (631) 240-4128 1

Ilderton Conversion of Asheville 35 Dogwood Road Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 670-1111 1,3

MobilityWorks 211 Woodbridge Ave Highland Park, NJ 08904 (732) 640-5350 1,3

Main Mobility 9580 Main Street Clarence, NY 14031 (716) 759-6811 1,2,3

MobilityWorks 1549 Gateway Blvd Woodbury, NJ 08096 (888) 473-5402 1,2,3

MobilityWorks 1892 Central Avenue Suite 25 Albany, NY 12205 (888) 473-5402 1,3

NEW MEXICO

MobilityWorks 3560 Sheridan Drive Buffalo, NY 14226 (716) 342-3530 1,3

____________________________

United Access 3825 Osuna Rd NE Ste 1 Albuquerque, NM 87109 (877) 501-8267 1,2,3

NEW YORK

Tims Trim Inc 25 Bermar Park Rochester, NY 14624 (585) 429-6270 1,2,3

Abilities Unlimited of NY, Inc. 90 E Jefryn Blvd Deer Park, NY 11729 (800) 664-8434 1,2,3

United Access 3760 West Henrietta Rd Rochester, NY 14623 (877) 501-8267 1

____________________________

14

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

OHIO

Ilderton Conversion of Charlotte 1424 Archdale Drive Charlotte, NC 28210 (704) 523-2022 1,3 MobilityWorks 4025 Queen City Drive Charlotte, NC 28208 (704) 399-0900 1,3 MobilityWorks 4012 Dearborn Place NW Concord, NC 28027 (704) 886-0868 1 Stalls Medical Inc dba Adaptive Vans Inc 7980 Chapel Hill Road Suite 101 Cary, NC 27513 (919) 233-0732 1 Van Products 2521 Noblin Road Raleigh, NC 27604 (919) 878-7110 1,3 Van Products 394A Green Meadow Drive Wilmington, NC 28405 (910) 793-5661 1

____________________________

MobilityWorks 810 Moe Drive Akron, OH 44310 (888) 473-5402 1,3 MobilityWorks 5040 Richmond Rd. Bedford Heights, OH 44146 (800) 951-6238 1,3 MobilityWorks 214 Valley Street Dayton, OH 45404 (937) 963-0733 1,3 MobilityWorks 1020 Laskey Road Toledo, OH 43612 (888) 473-5402 1,3

____________________________

OKLAHOMA Handicapped Vehicle Services Unlimited 7215 East 46th Street Tulsa, OK 74145 (918) 622-8400 1 Mobility One Transportation 17520 East Pine Street Tulsa, OK 74116 (918) 437-4488 1 United Access 730 W Hefner Rd Oklahoma City, OK 73114 (877) 501-8267 1,3 ____________________________

1 = Mobility Equipment Installer 2 = Structural Vehicle Modifier 3 = High Tech Driving Systems Installer

OREGON Ability Center 9740 SW Wilsonville Road Suite 250 Wilsonville, OR 97070 (971) 224-5895 1,3 Ability Center - Eugene 3574 Marcola Road Springfield, OR 97477 (541) 726-4001 1,3 R & J Mobility Service LLC 4938 Crater Lake Avenue Medford, OR 97504 (541) 245-4846 1,3 R & J Mobility Services LLC 200 Hawthorne Avenue SE Salem, OR 97301 (503) 838-5520 1,2,3 United Access 4347 NW Yeon Ave Portland, OR 97210 (877) 501-8267 1,2,3 United Access 12905 NE Airport Way Portland, OR 97230 (877) 501-8267 1,3

____________________________

PENNSYLVANIA Keller Wheelchair Lifts 197 Main Street Luzerne, PA 18709 (570) 288-1004 1,2,3 Keystone Coach Works 4786 Library Road Bethel Park, PA 15102 (412) 833-1900 1,2,3 MITS Corp 11448 North Main Street Extended Glen Rock, PA 17327 (800) 243-6487 1 MobilityWorks 2200 South 12th St Suite 2210 Allentown, PA 18103 (888) 473-5402 1,2,3 MobilityWorks 1012 Seco Road Monroeville, PA 15146 (888) 473-5402 1,3

MobilityWorks 925 South Trooper Road Norristown, PA 19403 (888) 473-5402 1,2,3

MobilityWorks 1325 Mackey Branch Drive Chattanooga, TN 37421 (423) 308-8267 1,3

Palmiero Mobility 16165 Conneaut Lake Road Meadville, PA 16335 (814) 336-1061 1

MobilityWorks 1015 S Water Avenue Gallatin, TN 37066 (651) 451-7373 1

Steffy’s Garage Inc dba SGI Mobility 235 W Main Street Leola, PA 17540 (717) 656-6065 1,3

MobilityWorks 173 Industrial Drive Lavergne, TN 37086 (615) 280-5058 1,3

Total Mobility Services Inc 4785 Penn Avenue Boswell, PA 15531 (814) 629-9935 1,2,3

Superior Van & Mobility LLC 10640 Braden Dickey Lane Knoxville, TN 37932 (855) 208-5576 1,3

Total Mobility Services Inc 7917 Derry Street Suite 124 Harrisburg, PA 17111 (800) 558-7408 1,3

United Access 2165 Hillshire Cir Memphis, TN 38133 (877) 501-8267 1,3

____________________________

____________________________

PUERTO RICO

TEXAS

Equipos Pro Impedidos De P.R., Inc. Carr #1 Int R796 Km 10.4 Bo. Bairoa La 25 Caguas, PR 00725 (787) 746-7667 1,3

Access2Mobility, Inc. 12406 State Hwy 155 South Tyler, TX 75703 (903) 592-6760 1,3

____________________________

SOUTH CAROLINA Ilderton Conversion of Charleston LLC 8550 Rivers Avenue North Charleston, SC 29406 (843) 576-0414 1,3 MobilityWorks 3624 Fernandina Road Columbia, SC 29210 (803) 828-5754 1 MobilityWorks 563 Woodruff Road Greenville, SC 29607 (864) 293-7171 1

____________________________

TENNESSEE Apple Independence Mobility 1750 Lee Seminary Road Cookeville, TN 38506 (877) 528-5788 1

Adaptive Driving Access College Station 2214 N Earl Rudder Freeway Bryan, TX 77808 (979) 307-7676 1,3 Adaptive Driving Access Corpus Christi 2201 Gollihar Road Corpus Christi, TX 78415 (361) 852-0922 1 Adaptive Driving Access Houston 6836 N Sam Houston Pkwy W Houston, TX 77064 (713) 874-9100 1,2,3 Adaptive Driving Access McAllen 120 North 20th Street McAllen, TX 78501 (956) 971-0001 1

Adaptive Driving Access Pasadena 3430 E Sam Houston Parkway S Pasadena, TX 77505 (281) 487-1969 1,2,3 American Lift Aids 2310 Calder Ave Beaumont, TX 77702 (409) 832-3400 1,2,3 American Lift Aids, Inc. 2407 W Southwest Loop 323 Tyler, TX 75701 (903) 581-8844 1,2,3 Lift Aids Inc 1500 Westpark Way Euless, TX 76040 (817) 835-0035 1,2,3 MobilityWorks 239 Commercial Drive Buda, TX 78610 (512) 295-3800 1,3 MobilityWorks 2110 N Beach Ft Worth, TX 76111 (866) 211-8267 1,3 MobilityWorks 4150 Interstate 30 Mesquite, TX 75150 (972) 270-7114 1,3 MobilityWorks 6473 DeZavala Road San Antonio, TX 78249 (210) 697-8884 1,2,3 MobilityWorks 2700 Franklin Avenue Waco, TX 76710 (254) 754-2700 1 MobilityWorks of Texas 16262 IH 35 North Selma, TX 78154 (210) 718-0055 1,3 Open Road Mobility 6669 Canyon Drive Amarillo, TX 79110 (806) 353-2747 1 Open Road Mobility 7411 82nd Street Lubbock, TX 79424 (806) 771-5873 1,2,3

Apr–Jun 2020

15

NMEDA DEALER MEMBERS Texas Mobility Services, LLC dba Texas Adaptive Aids 701 Bearcat Road Unit B Aledo, TX 76087 (817) 394-3914 1,3 United Access 2109 Luna Rd Ste 200 Carrollton, TX 75006 (877) 501-8267 1,3 United Access 8736 Gateway East Suite B El Paso, TX 79907 (877) 501-8267 1 United Access 15301 Interstate 35 Ste A Pflugerville, TX 78660 (877) 501-8267 1,3 United Access 2704 Lawing Ln 300 Rowlett, TX 75088 (877) 501-8267 1,2,3

____________________________

UTAH United Access 9082 S 300 W Sandy, UT 84070 (877) 501-8267 1

____________________________

VERMONT MobilityWorks 5C David Drive Essex Junction, VT 05452 (802) 878-8640 1,3

____________________________

VIRGINIA Driver Rehabilitation Center of Excellence d/b/a DRCE Mobility Solutions 14101 Parke Long Court Suite E Chantilly, VA 20151 (703) 345-2990 1,3 Independent Lifestyles 4880 South Amherst Hwy Madison Heights, VA 24572 (434) 846-7510 1 MITS of VA 2075 W Main Street Waynesboro, VA 22980 (540) 932-7300 1

16

Mobility Plus Inc of Virginia 763 Union Street Salem, VA 24153 (540) 389-3400 1,3

A & J Mobility 2650 Prospect Drive Eau Claire, WI 54703 (715) 874-6630 1,3

MobilityWorks 5751 General Washington Dr Alexandria, VA 22312 (234) 542-3022 1

A & J Mobility 4125 Terminal Drive McFarland, WI 53558 (608) 579-1500 1,3

MobilityWorks 6059 Virginia Beach Blvd Norfolk, VA 23502 (757) 455-9889 1,3

A & J Mobility 3058 Helsan Drive Richfield, WI 53076 (800) 517-1024 1,3

MobilityWorks 7450 Midlothian Turnpike North Chesterfield, VA 23225 (804) 220-0611 1

A & J Mobility 333 Washington Street Valders, WI 54245 (920) 775-9333 1,2,3

Priority Honda Hampton dba Priority Mobility 4115 W Mercury Blvd.

Hampton, VA 23666 (757) 838-1252 1

MobilityWorks 844 Ontario Road Green Bay, WI 54311 (920) 491-8384 1,3

____________________________

WASHINGTON Absolute Mobility Center 21704 87th Ave SE Woodinville, WA 98072 (425) 481-6546 1,3 Goldenwest Mobility 1815 E Francis Ave Spokane, WA 99208 (509) 484-3842 1,3 Kersey Mobility 7202 Evergreen Way Everett, WA 98203 (425) 353-6563 1,3 Kersey Mobility LLC 14640 NE 91st Street Suite A Redmond, WA 98052 (425) 406-8484 1 Kersey Mobility Systems Inc 6015 160th Avenue East Sumner, WA 98390 (253) 863-4744 1,2,3 ____________________________

WISCONSIN A & J Mobility 1330 Mid Valley Drive De Pere, WI 54115 (920) 632-4882 1,3

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

MobilityWorks 2833 Stanley Street Stevens Point, WI 54481 (715) 997-8881 1,3 MobilityWorks N8 W22195 Johnson Drive Ste 130 Waukesha, WI 53186 (888) 473-5402 1,3

____________________________

WYOMING Frontier Access & Mobility Systems, Inc. 1207 E Pershing Blvd Cheyenne, WY 82001 (307) 637-7663 1 ___________________________

1 = Mobility Equipment Installer 2 = Structural Vehicle Modifier 3 = High Tech Driving Systems Installer

CANADA

____________________________

ALBERTA Accessible Vehicle Solutions Inc. 1231 36 Avenue NE #14 Calgary, AB T2E 6N6 (587) 319-2819 1 ECO Medical 18303 107 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5S 1K4 (780) 483-6232 1,3 Silver Cross Automotive Inc.(Calgary) 4216 54 Avenue SE Unit 60 Calgary, AB T2C 2E3 (403) 243-6300 1 Silver Cross Automotive Inc.(Edmonton) 14568-116 Ave. Edmonton, AB T5M 3E9 (844) 799-5464 1

____________________________

BRITISH COLUMBIA Advanced Mobility Products 101-8620 Glenlyon Parkway Burnaby, BC V5J 0B6 (604) 293-0002 1 Alliance Mobility Solutions 1075 McCurdy Road Kelowna, BC V1X 2P9 (236) 420-1400 1,3 Alliance Mobility Solutions 12211 Vulcan Way #110 Richmond, BC V6V 1J7 (604) 370-7004 1,3 Island Mediquip Ltd 2258 Dorman Road Nanaimo, BC V9Z 6R4 (250) 824-0390 1 Island Mediquip Ltd 750 Enterprise Crescent Victoria, BC V8Z 6R4 (250) 634-1895 1 Medichair Northern BC 849 2nd Avenue Prince George, BC V2L 3A6 (250) 562-8280 1

Sidewinder Conversions & Mobility Ltd. 44658 Yale Road West Chilliwack, BC V2R 0G5 (604) 792-2082 1,2,3

Silver Cross Automotive Inc. (Toronto) 14 Goodmark Place Etobicoke, ON M9W 6R1 (844) 799-5464 1

Silver Cross Automotive Inc.(Maple Ridge) 11393 Kingston St. Unit 4 Maple Ridge, BC V2X 0Y7 (877) 215-760 1

Silver Cross Automotive Inc. (Waterloo) 675A Davenport Road Waterloo, ON N2V 2E2 (844) 799-5464 1,2,3

MANITOBA

QUEBEC

Northland Home Healthcare Products 865 Bradford Street Winnipeg, MB R3H 0N6 (204) 786-6786 1

Adaptation 04 Inc 3025 rue Girard Trois-Rivières, QC G8Z 2M4 (819) 372-0102 1,3

____________________________

____________________________

ONTARIO Conval-Aid/Liftability 2600 Lancaster Road Ottawa, ON K1B 4Z4 (613) 738-2721 1 Courtland Mobility 1355 Artisans Court Unit B Burlington, ON L7L 5Y2 (800) 354-8138 1,2,3 Goldline Mobility & Conversions 762 Industrial Road London, ON N5V 3N7 (519) 453-0480 1,2,3

SASKATCHEWAN PrairieHeart Mobility 3033 Saskatchewan Drive Regina, SK S4T 1H5 (306) 584-8456 1,3

____________________________

Centre d Autonomie 399 Ave De La Friche Dolbeau Mistassini, QC G8L 2T3 (418) 276-8336 1,3 Centre de L’auto St-Lambert 145 Damase Breton St-Lambert de Lauzon, QC G0S 2W0 (866) 641-0419 1,3 Eureka Solutions 107-829 J-Ambroise Craig Levis, QC G7A 2N2 (866) 562-2555 1 Eureka Solutions 2755 Montee St Hubert Longueuil, QC J3Y 4H6 (866) 562-2555 1,3

Mobility in Motion 1710 Bishop Street N Unit 8 Cambridge, ON N1T 1T2 (519) 623-9930 1

Eureka Solutions 5018 Industrial Blvd Sherbrooke, QC J1R 0P4 (866) 562-2555 1,3

Northend Mobility 301 Aqueduct Street Welland, ON L3C 1C9 (905) 735-5552 1,2,

SMVR 2 Visions Inc 414 Blvd St Germain Ouest Rimouski, QC G5L 3N4 (418) 723-9225 1,3

Silver Cross Automotive Inc. (London) 2028 Dundas Street London, ON N5V 1R2 (844) 799-5464 1

TVR Technologies Inc 595 Lanaudiere Repentigny, QC J6A 7N1 (888) 919-2555 1,3

Silver Cross Automotive Inc. (Ottawa) 5300 Canotek Road Unit 42 Ottawa, ON K1J 1A4 (613) 290-5279 1

Van Action 2005 Inc 4350 Autoroute 13 Laval, QC H7R 6E9 (800) 668-8705 1,2,3

____________________________

Apr–Jun 2020

17

CEO’S MESSAGE

Was it That Long Ago?

By Danny Langfield NMEDA CEO

T

here is a peculiar challenge to writing for a periodical print publication such as this, one

experienced every issue, namely: Is the content I turn in at the copy deadline going to remain relevant by the time the issue reaches the reader? For example, I am writing this on April 2 (only a week past deadline!) with the expectation that you will be reading it sometime in the first week of May. As COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on the world, it may be instructive to look back 30 days…on March 2, we were still 24 hours from the opening general session of the NMEDA conference. Three hundred people sitting shoulder to shoulder in a conference center ballroom; seems unthinkable now, doesn’t it?

Back then we were just starting to

to briefly talk about something to

realize that shaking hands with folks

which I’ve given a lot of thought over

was probably not a great idea—but

the last several weeks: the role of an

most of us did it anyway. We drank

association in a time like this.

together at the bars, sat together in classrooms, chatted (in groups larger than 10) in the expo…it was a different time. Heck, Tom Brady was still a New

“

England Patriot back then.

In speaking with my peers, one theme remains constant—no one knows what our roles are. The term “unprecedented” is being worn out, but it’s still accurate—this is literally

I hope you will reach out to me if you have any suggestions as to how the association can be of more assistance to our members and the industry. There is certainly no playbook for this, and all ideas are welcome.”

In light of all that, it feels faintly

unprecedented, at least in our

ridiculous to talk about anything

lifetimes.

contemporary at all. Instead I’d like

We have done what we can thus far (keep in mind, that’s as of April 2).

Two weeks ago we offered our first webinar, a general update on the government’s COVID-19 response. We followed that up the next week with a town hall webinar on how dealers were coping with the crisis. Yesterday we published an online resource that we will be updating constantly, found at nmeda.com/covid19. Tomorrow we will host another webinar with one of our attorneys detailing the specifics of the Paycheck Protection Program, part of the federal CARES Act intended to provide forgivable loans to small businesses such as yours.

18

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

Throughout, we have been sharing

be conducted remotely, so we have

unfolds over the next several months,

the latest developments in our weekly

been doing just that. We started last

we may have to consider accessing

Short Circuit email, in direct emails as

week, assuming our intrepid Florida

that fund. But in the short term, we

needed, and on our LinkedIn page.

governor would issue a “stay at home”

are relatively secure.

I know it’s not enough—I feel like we

order at any moment. We were a

should be doing more. I hope you will reach out to me if you have any suggestions as to how the association can be of more assistance to our

bit early, as it turned out—the order finally came yesterday, and goes into effect tomorrow. We are all continuing to work remotely and will be doing so

members and the industry. There is

until the end of April at the very least.

certainly no playbook for this, and all

Thanks to my predecessor, Dave

ideas are welcome.

Hubbard, and the disciplined

Many of you have been kind enough

governance of the board over the last

to inquire about the health, safety, and working conditions of the NMEDA staff. We are very fortunate to be in a line of business that permits a significant amount of our work to

In closing, please let us know if we can do anything for you. Our association exists to serve you, the members. Do not hesitate to be in touch if we can do anything at all to assist.

---

decade, the association has built and maintained a reserve fund to help us make it through unforeseen conditions exactly like what we are facing today.

Depending on how the situation

Apr–Jun 2020

19

INDUSTRY ADVISOR

Finally, A Line in the Sand

By Harry Baergen – Autoregs Consulting NMEDA CRP COORDINATOR Harry Baergen was previously the Regulation Enforcement Officer for Transport Canada. Currently, he acts

The CRP has cautioned manufacturers

impossible. Even if new vehicle test

as the Compliance Review Program

about this problem in past Circuit

data could be obtained from the OEM,

(CRP) Coordinator for NMEDA.

Breaker issues and has actually

Transport Canada (TC), or NHTSA

noticed some improvement in the

for the exact same model, it can only

If you have any questions about the

industry regarding test vehicles.

be new vehicle data and can only

contents of this article, or about

However, there are still some

be compared to the test results of

the NMEDA CRP, contact Harry

companies that are not only testing

one particular used (unmodified)

Baergen at 778.888.2210.

used vehicles, but are taking it to

vehicle, because every used vehicle

the extreme. In these cases, where

is different depending on its life

A

CRP is presented with a certification

history. Just the replacement of

package showing aged and high

certain parts, such as engine mounts,

mileage test vehicles, CRP has

fuel system parts, brake parts or

to communicate back and forth

airbags, could make the used vehicle

situation and/or solution that arose

with the company in an effort

perform differently, better or worse,

to get justification or rational to

in a dynamic certification test, for

demonstrate that the old test vehicles

example. Even if the used vehicle

are like new and can still represent

were to perform better in a dynamic

new vehicle production. To do this,

test, due to replacement parts, it

the company has to provide CRP with

is still not a representation of new

maintenance records, warranty claims,

vehicle production. Also, there is the

“

fact to consider that the government

rticles published here by the Compliance Review Program (CRP) are often

about a particular problem, question, from a NMEDA member, or members, in the field. The CRP issues these articles with the hope that they might edify other NMEDA members who could be confronted with similar situations. The most recent problem is not new, but it is one that arises from time to time between CRP and the adaptive manufacturing industry.

Lately, the CRP is again beleaguered with some certification packages from NMEDA manufacturers that contain

Carfax, records of all the parts that

An old vehicle is a unique vehicle and can only represent itself.”

have been replaced in the vehicle, rust

compliance test data cannot be used

analysis, etc. This requires time and

to compare any vehicle, because the

expense for the company and CRP,

government, to avoid discrepancies,

a company’s vehicle models on the

causing frustration for both.

conducts its compliance testing

NMEDA website as “certified” when

For a company to present any

at lower targets than the standard

the test vehicles used to certify the

other type of analysis, such as crash

company’s new vehicle production

comparison analysis, to show that old

are questionable.

vehicles perform the same as new

test reports showing aged and high mileage test vehicles. This makes it extremely difficult for the CRP to post

ones in a dynamic test is virtually

20

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

requires. The OEM, on the other hand, carries out certification testing at slightly higher targets, to allow for slight variables in production, but OEM

data is very difficult to obtain. Even

Although, the alterer/modifier

that could affect test outcome. This

if the data were available, it would

cannot certify the used vehicles

also depends on the nature of the

only apply to un-modified vehicles

with a certification label, because

test. For example, a slightly used

and to comparing new vehicle crash

the vehicles have been titled after

vehicle could be used for seat testing

performance to one old vehicle. A

first retail sale. However, the alterer/

if the floor and surrounding structure

comparison crash test that would

modifier can utilize the exemptions

is like new, but a vehicle chosen to

mean anything at all would have to be

provided under CFR 49 Part 595, but

verify standards that require crash

conducted with one new structurally

performance in general and the used

“

testing, such as F/CMVSS 301 or 208,

Considering age and condition in

with no replacement parts. If the

vehicles still could not represent the

choosing a test vehicle is covered

test vehicle is a used one, extensive

new vehicle fleet. An old vehicle is a

to some extent in a 2013 Winter

analysis will have to accompany the

unique vehicle and can only represent

Circuit Breaker article, Volume 20,

test reports to demonstrate that the

itself. Once that old vehicle is crash

Issue 4, “How Old Can a Test Vehicle

vehicle is in new condition with no

tested, it no longer exists.

Be?” The article advocates that

design differences and that all the

It is feasible that a normally driven

the first principle to remember is

equipment, such as air bags, air bag

that prototype test vehicles must

sensors, fuel system parts, engine

represent NEW vehicle production.

or transmission mounts, etc., are not

They do NOT represent used vehicles

worn or replaced. Further, the test

that have been retailed. A test vehicle

vehicle should not be damaged in a

must be exactly the same as the

way that could affect the applicable

ensuing production vehicles that it

test and a flood-damaged vehicle

represents, including engine type,

should never be used for certification

and all production vehicles must stay

testing, with the possible exception of

the same as the test prototype. As

static component testing.

mentioned, a slightly used vehicle

As mentioned, if the surrounding

modified vehicle and a range of used structurally modified vehicles of exactly the same conversion, sourced from different parts of the country.

Even this would be an exercise in futility, because it would only be an indication of used vehicle test

two-year old non-accidented, nonrusted, vehicle with under 40,000 miles on the odometer could be considered like new and still serve as a test vehicle to represent new production. Correspondingly, NMEDA member alterers of new vehicles that also modify slightly used vehicles have a screening program that allows them to consider the “like new” vehicles to fall under the umbrella of the test vehicles that were used to represent new vehicle production.

only for the titled vehicles.

should be new—or at least like new

...the first principle to remember is that prototype test vehicles must represent NEW vehicle production.”

is sometimes used for testing, but only if it is in new condition with no changes, damage or maintenance

structure of the seat and restraint system, for example, in a lowmileage older test vehicle is still

Apr–Jun 2020

21

INDUSTRY ADVISOR

(continued)

exactly the same design as the new

performing various tests on the same

to cap age and mileage is that many

vehicles it is intended to represent

vehicle. Albeit, this requires placing

companies would default to the cap

and if the surrounding structure is

more emphasis on the test report. The

instead of testing newer vehicles. For

still in new condition, theoretically,

information in the test report must

example, if the cap for test vehicles

static testing in a used vehicle

be sufficient and descriptive, because

was two years old and 40,000 miles

should work. The challenge is to

it is the test reports that are used

on the odometer companies might

incorporate this description in the

to demonstrate compliance in the

tend to use that as a benchmark and

test report, so a third party who is

second stage industry, whether it be

have less tendency to test newer

not present at the test—and/or the

for company compliance engineers,

vehicles. However, considering the

compliance engineering staff of the

CRP, governments, litigation, funding

lesser of two evils, NMEDA, after

manufacturing company who is not

agencies, OEM audits, or consumers.

much discussion, is making it a rule

present at the test—can determine

The CRP fully understands that testing

to cap the age of test vehicles at two

compliance. Again, for dynamic

older vehicles saves money in the

years old and 40,000 miles, for CRP

testing, such as crash testing, new

short run and that this is important for

review.

vehicles should be used to represent

a small manufacturer, but there is a

the fleet. When TC or NHTSA

limit to what CRP can accept.

Therefore, going forward, CRP

conducts follow-up testing to verify a manufacturer’s compliance it will always use new vehicles for the test.

Although, federal law in Canada or the U.S. does not specify the age or mileage of a test vehicle, it does require that certification testing represents new vehicle production.

Therefore, if it can be demonstrated in the test report that the test vehicle is of the same configuration, structure, and in the same condition as a new vehicle, there is no exact rule to the contrary.

The major OEM companies also test only new products, but the OEM has control over test vehicles by deleting costly equipment and options from the test vehicles and by testing “bare bones” prototypes or bodies in white. The OEM also has an army of engineers and huge databases to know exactly what to test. However, in the second stage (altering) industry, costs can also be defrayed. Costs can be mitigated by using good vehicle sections from otherwise wrecked vehicles or by testing somewhat used vehicles where possible or by strategically

22

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

will expect manufacturers to test

It is difficult to “draw that line in the

relatively new vehicles to represent

sand” of how old a test vehicle can

new vehicle production and will NOT

“

...CRP will expect manufacturers to test relatively new vehicles to represent new vehicle production and will NOT accept test vehicles for CRP review that are older than two years from date of manufacturer on the SOC label, with a maximum odometer reading of 40,000 miles (64,374 Km).”

be. An older higher mileage vehicle

accept test vehicles for CRP review

could be in better condition with less

that are older than two years from

replacement parts than a newer lower

date of manufacture on the SOC

mileage vehicle. Just driving a vehicle

label, with a maximum odometer

to the test lab would accumulate

reading of 40,000 miles (64,374

mileage on a new vehicle, or a dealer

Km). Although, NMEDA and other

demonstrator would also have some

experts consider this age and mileage

mileage on the odometer. It is not

would be stretching it, CRP hopes

necessary for a government to cap

that manufacturers and alterers will

age and mileage of a test vehicle,

still test newer vehicles. As always,

because it is easy for a government

CRP strongly advises companies

to arbitrarily reject a company’s test

to proactively contact CRP with

report in an audit situation if the test

any questions about choosing test

vehicles are considered to be too

vehicles.

old. The other reason for reluctance

---

SAVE THE DATE! WWW.LANSING.ORG

2020 ADED ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITS July 24-28, 2020 Apr–Jun 2020

23

EDUCATION & TRAINING REPORT

Is There Ever a Right Time for Training?

by Andy Ghillyer NMEDA DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION & TRAINING

I

n a speech in Cape Town, South

levels, temporary layoffs, or even

user in mind. The emphasis will be

Africa in June 1966, Robert

longer-term furloughs as you struggle

on maximum knowledge transfer

Kennedy said:

to cope with a major economic

in the most concise and interactive

upheaval, training is probably the

format possible, so that your people

least of your concerns. Even then, our

can maximize every minute they are

members have approached training

away from the store. The second half

as an opportunity to be grasped

of 2020 will be bringing significant

while business is slow. Rather than

changes to how we engage with

The authenticity of the “curse”

seeing it as a cost to be avoided when

our members. A new website, a new

remains unknown, but given the

belts needed to be tightened, I was

Association Management System

havoc caused by the COVID-19

thrilled to see how many members

(AMS), a new Learning Management

pandemic, the irony of how attractive

have reached-out to get their people

System (LMS) that will greatly

uninteresting times would be for most

trained while some workers were

improve your learning experience,

of us shouldn’t be understated.

idled.

that and do our best to provide

“

and the first phase of updated

training solutions that minimize

That decision alone says so much

learning materials to provide a more

downtime for your people. That being

about the commitment our members

interactive learning environment.

said, I continue to be impressed

make to their customers as well as

every day at the commitment of our

to their own people. Investing in

members to carving out time for their

training supports the QAP brand that

people to take our training—whether

we all work so hard to maintain, but

it’s onboarding people who are brand

it also sends a clear message to your

new to the industry, or investing in

people—that they are valued as an

time and travel expenses for refresher

integral part of that commitment.

and certification training opportunities

In recognition of the high value that

on the other side of the country that

our members place on training,

can keep them out of the store for

we are continuing on our journey

days at a time.

towards flexible, high-quality,

At the worst of times, when you’re

interactive training content that is

facing tough decisions about staffing

specifically designed with the end-

“There is a Chinese curse which says: ‘May he live in interesting times.’”

Like it or not, we live in interesting times.

At the best of times, seeing a training reminder email from NMEDA—either from the QAP team or an NCT expiration notice from me—can be a nuisance. Your technicians work on billable hours, and your salespeople have targets to meet. We understand

24

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

...but it also sends a clear message to your people—that they are valued as an integral part of that commitment.”

In the meantime, please let us know how we can improve your education and training experience with NMEDA. If you have an idea for a module that would help you develop your people or help you reach your customer base, we would love to hear from you.

---

AROUND THE INDUSTRY Superior Van & Mobility Acquires Presidential Conversions Superior Van & Mobility recently announced the acquisition of Arkansasbased Presidential Conversions Inc. and its locations in Fayetteville, Jonesboro, and Little Rock.

The acquisition expands Superior to 16 stores and adds Arkansas to their list of locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana, Nebraska, Alabama, and Florida.

New BraunAbility Conversion According to a recent announcement, BraunAbility is launching a new wheelchair accessible SUV this summer. Unveiled at the 2020 NMEDA Annual Conference & Expo, the conversion will be available on the Chevrolet Traverse, the company’s newest Mobility Crossover Vehicle (MXV).

Ability Center Makes Birthday Extra Special for Local Boy You may have seen this viral photo circulating recently. Oliver Garza-Pena, or “Ollie,” was mesmerized as he spotted an ad at a Phoenix-area Target that featured a boy, just like him, using a wheelchair. The photo struck a chord with some folks at Ability Center of Phoenix, and with a little bit of action Ability Center was able to secure some donations from area attractions to help Ollie celebrate his birthday in a big way. To top it off, the Phoenix-based NMEDA member provided Ollie’s family with an adapted Chrysler Pacifica as a four-day rental to more easily enjoy the attractions.

Part 1 of VMSA Rulemaking Release The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) recently published the initial Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in connection with the Veterans Mobility Safety Act (VMSA). A significant advancement toward the implementation of the VMSA, which was signed into law in December 2016, this document proposes to amend the VA’s regulations governing the provision of monetary allowances for eligible veterans and servicemembers requiring automobile adaptive equipment.

This NPRM is being referred to as “Part 1” because—prior to the establishment of quality and safety standards for equipment and installers, as well as the identification of and/or selection criteria for third-party non-profit certifying bodies (which is expected to be addressed in “Part 2” of the VMSA Rulemaking)—the VA must first establish a regulation regarding payment for automobile adaptive equipment and related services. Today’s NPRM relies heavily on NMEDA resources and information—most notably the 2018 Average Price Survey—and our Association is referenced 21 times throughout the document. “Part 2” of the VMSA-related rulemaking is expected to be released in August 2020.

NMEDA’s GR Team has carefully reviewed the document and will be submitting a comment in response to the NPRM. We anticipate that several of our partner organizations will also submit comments. Similar to the VMSA Public Meeting in June 2017, we will be reaching out to—and seeking comments from—our membership in advance of the May 12 comment deadline. If you have questions or would like to submit a comment in response to the NPRM, please contact Amy Schoppman at Amy.Schoppman@nmeda.org or (813) 264-2697.

Read more about the VMSA Rulemaking on pg 48.

Apr–Jun 2020

25

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7.5” H

WHEN IT COMES TO WHEELCHAIR & OCCUPANT SECUREMENT EASY PULL

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VISIT US!

Abilities Expos

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AMF-Bruns of America 877-506-3770 26

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

www.amfbrunsamerica.com

MEMBER NOTICE

Bylaws Changes and Dues Amounts As many of you are aware, our Dealer members have approved a Bylaws change creating three new member types to replace the very generic, and overly broad, “Associate” category, as well as the “Manufacturer” category. The intent of this change is to have our member types more accurately and specifically reflect today’s auto mobility stakeholders. The new member types are: 1. Industry - an entity, other than a dealer, engaged in any for-profit activity applicable to the auto mobility industry. a. This replaces our “Manufacturer” member category and includes all for-profit entities providing products or services to the auto mobility industry, including manufacturers. i.

Industry Member dues are the same as they were previously for manufacturers: 1.

Annual gross sales < $3 million = $1,575 annual dues

2. Annual gross sales > $3 million = $2,100 annual dues 2. Allied Health Professional - an individual employed in any of the following occupations, either for-profit or nonprofit ($49 annual dues): a. Driver rehabilitation b. Assistive technology c. Occupational therapy d. Physical therapy e. Case management f.

Rehabilitation engineering

g. Nursing h. Other health professional 3. Government/Education/Non-Profit - an individual not eligible for Allied Health Professional membership who is employed in the government, education, or non-profit sector ($49 annual dues).

NMEDA is working to update the member classifications in our online database—we appreciate your patience as we implement these changes.

You will see your new member type reflected in your next membership renewal letter.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact NMEDA’s Administrative & Membership Coordinator, Mikala Ballard at Mikala.Ballard@nmeda.org.

Apr–Jun 2020

27

CANADA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

When the Storm Subsides

By David Parton —Mobility in Motion PRESIDENT, NMEDA CANADA

W

e recently held what

know the wind’s direction and what it

Canada’s official languages, French

might have been the last

will mean to us.

and English.

conference or gathering

According to Statistics Canada, the

As this pandemic has swept across

baby boomers are reaching their

our world, sadly one of the most

of people in one place for one reason, to be held this year.

golden years. There are now more

heart wrenching aspects has been the

Our topic amongst many was change

people aged 65 and older than there

numbers of dead who got sick while

that was happening at a rapid pace,

are 14 and under.

living in their retirement or long-term

There are numerous health issues with

care home. It has been suggested

and how we were preparing for and adapting to that change, be it in chassis changes, hybrid and electric vehicles, and ways to make them work for the niche clients we serve.

Well I think it is safe to say, we never conceived of the change that was about to roll over us turning our world into a trailer park after a twister has blown through.

These days of quarantines and staying home to flatten the curve lend themselves to contemplation

this population, but significantly, they as a group wish to live their lives out in the homes they own and cherish.

CARP, “The Canadian Association of Retired Persons,” tells me they have significant volumes of members asking them questions on driving aids, accessible vehicles, what is available to allow them to continue to live in their home and community.

We are immersed in the industry, and

that if able, families should take their family members out of their care home and take them home to reduce potential exposure to this virus.

For many it is too late to do this.

Depending upon the needs, there is significant preparation to be done to bring home a person from such a facility. If the destination home is not accessible or readily made so, it represents only a barrier.

I was listening to Mark Cuban and he

The Canadian Home Builders

“

Association recently issued their

may be there but they may not know

entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well

they are. We get it, but we speak this

in America today. When this storm

language, we need to assume others

subsides and people come out to find

don’t. This population is very tech

much has changed, they will step up

savvy and they will do their research

and take things in new directions.

and consideration. What comes next?

What will be left standing when the pandemic has abated? Will we be standing, or will we be swept away in the same manner as all of the local restaurants and the waitstaff they once employed.

magazine for all their members. The front cover has a topic “Aging In Place,” and the article is titled, “The Comforts of Home.” You ask, what does that have to do with Mobility dealers and NMEDA? When the winds of change are blowing, we need to

28

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

often have our own language and our

It is time for fresh thinking, new directions, better planning and results.”

own terms. When a person looks at

was speaking to where America goes

our website seeking answers, they

from here. His position was that the

and homework. We need our web offerings to be easily navigated and our NMEDA website needs to be a wealth of information and in both of

Many have recently seen their investments evaporate, and depending upon where you are in your life cycle, this will either be a

hiccup that will correct itself over

begin to flesh out what that will look

to see you all at the next conference,

time, or this will mean more years

like.

and I hope we go forward ready to

Whatever you do or have been doing,

serve and ready to innovate and

in the saddle as the dream of a comfortable retirement just took a hit on the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

Listen to the statement, “Baby Boomers are getting older, but they don’t want to move into seniors’ homes.”

stay safe and consider where you

change this world going forward.

and your world need to go once this

---

chapter is over.

The definition of insanity is, “Doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result.” It is time

Sounds like something some

for fresh thinking, new directions,

entrepreneurs could take up and

better planning and results. I hope

Get Social with NMEDA

For informa�on and to become a dealer, contact Randy.

RandyK@clockmobility.com 800.732.5625 Clock Conversions

clockconversions.com

Apr–Jun 2020

29

ROI IN ACTION

NMEDA’s VA Past Due Invoice Program Starts to Show Results

By Amy Schoppman NMEDA DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

S

everal years ago, NMEDA

Version 1.0 of NMEDA’s PDI Program

days (nearly 6.5 years) past due—that

began working with the

led to sporadic successes, but we

Members of Congress were visibly

Department of Veterans Affairs

weren’t satisfied with the scope

shaking their heads from the dais.

(VA) on an informal Past Due Invoice

or magnitude of the results. The

Program (“PDI Program”). I won’t

issue was elevated when NMEDA’s

bury the lede—the PDI Program has

then-President Sam Cook testified

produced results: over $450,000 PDIs

before the U.S. House Committee

were resolved in 2019 Q4 and over

on Veterans’ Affairs (HVAC) during

$1,000,000 PDIs were paid in 2020

a hearing entitled, “Assessing VA’s

Q1. That said, history helps us connect with the past and understand the present (plus I doubt I can get away with a one-paragraph article…), so please take your seat for “PDIs 101.”

Class is now in session.

NMEDA’s PDI Program was developed following a meeting between VA Central Office staff and NMEDA representatives. We had identified the prompt payment of VA invoices as one of several challenges that our members were experiencing with the administration of the Auto Grant and the Automobile Adaptive Equipment (AAE) Program. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA) had an undeniable history of delayed and sometimes nonexistent vendor reimbursement, and both parties agreed to establish an informal PDI Program to improve the situation.

Simple, right? Wrong—nothing is ever simple when it comes to the federal government [tap of my ruler on your knuckles].

I don’t put much faith in federal agency efficiency, so I was unsurprised but nonetheless exasperated when, years later, little had changed: NMEDA and

“

other witnesses had (correctly)

Vendors.” In news sure to shock

while certain VA Medical Centers

absolutely nobody reading this,

(VAMCs) and clinics notorious for

Sam testified that VA’s abilities in

late payment scrambled under the

this arena were (paraphrasing) “not

pressure to resolve outstanding

good.” In fact, VA not was so “not

invoices and avoid further scrutiny

good” at prompt payment—which

of their payment practices, the

is defined as payment of a vendor’s

“fix” was temporary. VA had done

valid and proper invoice within 30

little to meaningfully reform its

days of receipt by the responsible

payment practices, and NMEDA

federal agency—that, over a five-year

members across the country were

period, NMEDA dealers reported

still struggling to resolve PDIs.

nearly 4,000 PDIs totaling over

Meanwhile, the quality, safety, and

$30,000,000 and averaging 271 days

timeliness of disabled veterans’

past due (with 63% of invoices 180+

automotive mobility solutions were

days late and 16% of invoices 365+

being jeopardized as QAP-accredited

days late). Procedural HVAC Health

dealers began to reconsider working

Subcommittee hearings don’t usually

with VA, or reluctantly realized that

elicit gasps, but one invoice managed

they could simply no longer trust

to do so: it was so humiliating—2,368

or afford to work with VA at all. At

Ability to Promptly Pay Third-Party

roasted VA at a public hearing and,

Procedural HVAC Health Subcommittee hearings don’t usually elicit gasps, but one invoice managed to do so: it was so humiliating—2,368 days (nearly 6.5 years) past due...”

this point, NMEDA’s GR team began

of NMEDA’s PDI Program. You

payroll issues for businesses which

aggressively pursuing a multi-

may recall the Congressman from

cannot afford to go unpaid while

pronged approach to PDI resolutions:

his appearance (via video) at the

also meeting their other obligations,

2020 NMEDA Conference, when he

and this is particularly relevant in

elaborated upon his commitment to

today’s environment. NMEDA’s GR

Criticizing bureaucratic inefficiencies

ensuring that VA reimburses third-

team ensures that decision-makers

is as American as baseball and apple

party vendors promptly. A Marine

understand the real-world impact

pie. I’m almost worried (and I write

Corps veteran with a highly process-

delayed payments have on the ability

this in jest, IRS Agent Who May

oriented staff, Rep. Gallego and his

of dealers—and manufacturers—to

Inconceivably Be Reading This) that

office did a significant amount of

continue providing life-changing

NMEDA will lose its tax-exempt status

work last year to address PDIs in

products and services to disabled

if we don’t continue criticizing VA, but

Arizona, including the resolution

veterans. Over the past 6+ months

it’s important to recognize that our

of almost $300,000 in overdue

we have cultivated and established a

members are not entirely blameless

payments in the Phoenix area alone.

network of Congressional Members

here. Based on my conversations with

Acknowledging that VA’s payment

and staffers who not only understand

both NMEDA members and VHA/

difficulties impact mobility equipment

but genuinely care about this issue.

VBA personnel, mistakes (forgotten

dealers nationwide, Rep. Gallego has

They have been instrumental to our

signatures, missing documentation,

also secured a written commitment

recent progress and can lead to

etc.) and other presumably

from VBA to “improve the AAE

additional advancements, e.g., VBA

inadvertent errors and omissions

invoice process and ensure that...

staff meetings, another Congressional

have been—and continue to be—

vendors who have rendered goods

hearing, and/or an investigation

made when invoices are submitted

and services are reimbursed timely in

into the matter by the VA Office

to VA. In response, NMEDA clarified

compliance with the Prompt Pay Act

of Inspector General (the division

its PDI Program submission criteria,

(31 USC §3901-3907).”

responsible for conducting oversight

In addition to Rep. Gallego’s

of VA programs and operations).

Take Responsibility.

emphasizing that submissions may only include properly documented, pre-authorized, undisputed, and currently unpaid invoices that a vendor has already made at least one direct attempt to resolve. The revised submission guidelines have resulted in fewer “rejected” or “duplicate” PDI Program invoices and have enhanced the trust and partnership between NMEDA and VA on this issue. Thank you to those who have cooperated: when presented with

office, NMEDA’s GR team has been concurrently working with HVAC’s VBA-focused staff and additional Congressional offices to communicate our members’ predicaments and resolve outstanding payments.

Our approach emphasizes that the PDI issue is larger than VA simply paying a few bills a little late: VA’s Prompt Payment Act violations cause serious operational and

Standardize Submissions.

As of today, I am personally aware of 61 different “paperwork submission checklists” used by NMEDA dealers seeking to work more cooperatively and efficiently with their VAMCs and clinics. I fully support cooperation and efficiency, but SIXTY-ONE [slowly writes “61” on the chalkboard in a comically exaggerated manner]

complete and accurate information, both NMEDA and VA are better able to fully embark upon the considerable task of improving the efficiency of a decades-old, paper-based, wildly inconsistent, and seemingly incomprehensible/subjective payment process.

Engage Congress.

Congressman Ruben Gallego (AZ7th) has been an incredible supporter

Apr–Jun 2020

31

ROI IN ACTION

(continued)

different checklists? This is, by any

mean that, Patrick. This approach is

and criticisms regarding payment

reasonable standard, far too many

being pursued because it is sensible,

process/procedure peccadilloes at

checklists.

and because it is likely to produce

particular VAMCs and clinics. Yes,

positive results.)

part of the strategy involves applying

I understand and appreciate the time and effort that went into the creation of said checklists, but NMEDA will be taking a “greatest good for the greatest number” approach by collaborating with VA on the development of standardized

“

submission criteria for 1394 and 4502

Keep Going.

on the quiz…] to the VA invoice

I realize it may seem straightforward—

submission process so that all NMEDA

“I would like to be paid in a timely

members can experience enduring,

manner for the work that VA has

certain, accurate, and prompt

approved and is responsible for

payments from VA. Yes, part of the

funding”—but the practical reality

strategy involves me metaphorically shoving it in Patrick’s pretentious

VA’s payment patterns have improved—in terms of both accuracy and timeliness—but collective, sustained pressure must be applied if we want a permanent solution to emerge from this effort.” paperwork. (I did bury that lede.)

is, unfortunately, not so facile.

Those 61+ checklists will eventually be

VA is the second-largest federal

whittled down to a far fewer number

agency in the U.S., has hundreds of

of checklists, all of which—once

thousands of employees (10-80-10

finalized—will be available to NMEDA

Principle, anyone?), utilizes outdated

members nationwide.

technology, and needs our help and

(For the record, we are not

cooperation to be and do better. VA’s

pursuing this approach because I

Utilitarian principles [this will be

payment patterns have improved—

face at our college reunion because I absolutely hold grudges and I’ve been hanging onto this one since 2005.

(In fairness to me, Patrick’s disdain for Bentham—a man so impossibly cool he requested that his body be preserved and wheeled out at parties if his friends missed him—is arguably a personal flaw. But that’s an article for another day…). Ultimately, the overwhelming motivation behind this effort is NMEDA’s genuine dedication to benefitting and elevating our members’ performance via meaningful government action.

in terms of both accuracy and

NMEDA will proceed with this

timeliness—but collective, sustained

steady approach until we reach an

pressure must be applied if we want

effective and sustainable solution to

a permanent solution to emerge from

the ongoing prompt payment issue.

classmate literally shouted at me

this effort.

Please keep submitting your PDIs

fifteen years ago, as if my tepid

I have been working with, and will

appreciation of English political

continue to work with, NMEDA

philosopher Jeremy Bentham’s

members big and small—on PDI

concept of Utilitarianism meant that

submissions, PDI resolutions, checklist

I supported the advancement of

criteria, and by listening to (and

Utopian Socialism. It didn’t necessarily

learning from) member comments

am a “Bentham Head”—a strange, politically nerdy, and ultimately inaccurate characterization that an inconceivably irritating college

and know that I am actively working with VA to address your concerns.

Unless of course you are That Patrick, in which I case I have some highly specific revenge to deliver.

Class dismissed.

---

32

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

Aprâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Jun 2020

33

THE BUSINESS OF CARING

T

hey say hindsight is 20-20,

will take place the 18th–21st with joint

and productive tips on the new

and I’m sure as we look back

activities taking place throughout.

track “Innovation & Technology.”

on the 2020 NMEDA Annual

Danny also shared the details of a

Wednesday wrapped up with

Conference & Expo, a little more than

new conference contest, “What’s

possibly the most anticipated event

a month later, there are some things

Your Sign?” This fun networking

of the conference, our general

we’d do differently considering

game encouraged attendees to mix

session, “The Rolling Disrupters.”

where we are today with the

and mingle while discussing business

Four exceptional individuals who all

COVID-19 pandemic, but there are

topics, with the opportunity for 12

“ride” on wheelchairs shared their

many things I’m sure we’d be grateful

individuals to win $100 each.

inspirational stories about overcoming

we got to enjoy before things really

BraunAbility CEO, Staci Kroon,

assumptions and shattering

got turned on their head. All I know, is the 2020 conference is one we will all remember whether it’s because it was our last one in Daytona Beach, FL, because it was the last time anyone traveled for the next few months, or because it was the last one before we co-locate our conference with ADED. Let’s all take a brief look back…

welcomed keynote speaker, Sunjay Nath who kicked off the evening.

After leading us in a comical game of “Sunjay Says” (see funny photos on pg 35), he shared the 10-80-10 principle which encouraged us to take a look at our businesses and employees and think about ways to encourage a shift, for individuals and practices “stuck” in the acceptable

expectations. The panel, moderated

by NMEDA friend and consultant Mike Savicki, included Dr. Rory Cooper, University of Pittsburgh’s Human Engineering Research Laboratories, Sam Schmidt, Conquer Paralysis Now and Indy Car Racer, Aaron “Wheelz” Fotheringham, Wheelchair Motocross Athlete, and Noah Currier, Oscar Mike Apparel & OMFoundation. You can view the session on our NMEDA

The conference kicked off on Tuesday

80 percent, into the desired “top”

evening with our opening general

10 percent. The expo hall opened

Facebook or YouTube pages.

session where new NMEDA President,

promptly after the opening session

A special networking event took

Christian Quandt, welcomed

and folks got to explore all the latest

place Wednesday evening for our VIP

attendees. NMEDA CEO, Danny

technologies and offerings in the

Vocational Rehab (VR) attendees.

Langfield, joined by ADED Executive

mobility industry while enjoying

This year NMEDA made a special

Director, Liz Green, shared some

cocktails, tasty fare, and the company

“push” to increase VR attendance

long-anticipated news about the 2021

of their peers.

and the efforts proved to be a

As always, attendees arrived

huge success. Over 30 attendees

co-located conferences. You all have probably heard by now that the 2021 conferences for each association will take place in Columbus, Ohio from September 16-21. NMEDA’s events

34

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

Wednesday bright-eyed and ready to learn. Our dealer learning track sessions provided a wide variety of topics including creative

representing 20 states joined the conference resulting in valuable relationships built and increased understanding of the mobility

industry. Check out some attendee

on many levels, is so important for

feedback on pages 36-37.

businesses these days.

Thursday included some bonus

The final day of conference came

training sessions, including the Turny

to a close with our annual auction

Evo Seat technician training and

fundraiser, raising just over $50k,

“Someone’s Turning the Wrench,”

and our awards banquet where we

for our DRS attendees. The closing

honored some exceptional mobility

general session, “Women in Mobility:

industry leaders by welcoming them

Insights & Perspectives,” invited a

into the NMEDA Hall of Fame. For

few female industry leaders, Staci

details on all of our awards presented

Kroon, BraunAbility, Noel Marshall,

at conference see pg 41.

Schaeffler-Paravan, and Catherine

Thank you to all who attended and we

Martin, Ilderton Conversions, to share their experiences and perspectives on the state of the industry and how important diversity and inclusion,

look forward to seeing you next year in Columbus!

---

CONFERENCE LINKS Full Conference Photo Album www.nmeda.com/2020Photos

Post-Conference Survey Results www.nmeda.com/2020SurveyResults

The Rolling Disrupters General Session Recording www.nmeda.com/RollingDisrupters

VR Attendees:

35

”

Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this year’s NMEDA conference. It was an informative conference and I received a lot of new information that I am sharing with our VR Program administrators. It was great to see the current state of technology regarding automotive mobility issues and I thoroughly enjoyed the sessions and presentations, as well as the Expo.

Oregon

“

This was truly one of the best conferences I have ever attended. I learned so much from the vendors and being able to actually see the assistive technology/ automotive mobility devices. I very much enjoyed the networking opportunities with the vendors as well as other VR professionals.

South Carolina

”

Thank you for supporting VR attendance at the 2020 NMEDA conference. I enjoyed meeting colleagues in the field of Driver Rehabilitation, a variety of dealers and modifiers, as well as other VR professionals. The greater my understanding of each facet of vehicle modification service provision and the concerns of each expert area simply enhances my ability to better educate and support our state VR staff.

Connecticut

“

This was the best NMEDA Conference I have ever attended, and our Agency is grateful for NMEDA’s support of our attendance this year. You guys did a great job setting everything up and we really appreciate it.

”

North Carolina

I loved the ‘Recommended Practices for Driver Rehabilitation & Vehicle Modifications’ document that was distributed at the VIP reception. This document is a great resource that would have really helped me understand the process quicker and deeper when I first began to learn about vehicle modifications. I would love to be able to use parts of this for training sessions.

Florida

States Represe nted:

20

38

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

THANK YOU

2020 Sponsors & Exhibitors!

Accessible Vans of America | ACE Mobility | Adaptive Driving Alliance | ADED Altro USA | AOTA | Banclease Acceptance Corporation | Bever Mobility Products ColleBuilt Systems | Crescent Industries | DealerTeam | Driving Systems, Inc. Electronic Mobility Controls | Eureka Solutions | Fadiel America | Fortress Partners General Motors Fleet | Johnson Hand Controls | Joysteer | Kempf Inc. | Kent Automotive MGA Research Corporation | Mobility Support Solutions | Motility Software Solutions MPS/Guidosimplex | NOVA | Oscar Mike | Paravan GmbH | PSA Insurance TCF Inventory Finance | The Funding Project | United Spinal Association

NMEDA Sends a Big THANK YOU To Our Auction Donors!

ADA | AMF-Bruns | BraunAbility | Bruno | Clock Mobility Crescent Industries | EZ Lock | Mobility Innovations Power Door & Step | Qâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;STRAINT/Sure-Lok Tempe Mobility | Toyota Mobility | VMI

And the Award Goes To...

Michael Dresdner

Danny Langfield and Michael Dresdner

Shining Star Award

Elizabeth Green

Danny Langfield and Liz Green

John Anschutz

Anne Hegberg

Craig Rogers

Craig Rogers and Andy Ghillyer

Anne Hegberg and Andy Ghillyer

Hall of Fame Inductees Lloyd Updike

Gary Colle Sr.

What’s Next?

Anne Hegberg and John Anschutz

Lloyd Updike and John Wilson Gary Colle, Jr. accepting on behalf of his father with Sean Petersen.

President’s Award Tim Barone

CEO’s Awards

Sam Cook

Bill Koeblitz

Danny Langfield and Eric Mansfield, accepting on Bill’s behalf.

Tim Barone and Chad Blake

Danny Langfield and Sam Cook

42

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

SAVE THE DATE

Aprâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Jun 2020

43

QAP STRAIGHT TALK

A Thank You to Our Members

by Chuck Hardy NMEDA DIRECTOR OF QUALITY ASSURANCE & COMPLIANCE

I

have been writing articles in the

more has changed. Our staff has been

from Tampa, but to come to the

Circuit Breaker for many years.

working tirelessly to do whatever

conference and be able to gather

My goal has always been to help

we can to assist our members in

and meet with all of you in-person,

explain QAP Rules in detail and

this unpreceded time. I hope, I really

without a headset mounted to our

give some insight as to why each

do, that by the time this magazine

ears, is priceless. I can’t tell you how

rule is important, why we have it, or

is published, and you are reading,

much it means to all of us. Not a

what it means. I hope you find the

that we are on the other side of the

conference goes by that we all don’t

information in these articles helpful

“curve.” I guess you know the answer,

get re-energized by the comradery

and that the explanations answer

I am still in the past and only have

and experiences shared every day.

questions you may have about the

hope. I pray all our members stay safe

Personally, one of my favorite parts of

rules and the QAP program. I will

and can weather this pandemic. There

the conference is the awards banquet.

continue to do this moving forward

is no question in my mind that you are

Having not grown up in the industry

and welcome your input on any topic

doing everything you can to support

as so many of you have, I especially

you would like to know more about.

your clients and customers. Because

love to hear the stories when the

But for this article I wanted to do

that’s what we do, we care about the

Hall of Fame inductees come up for

people behind the wheel, we always

their well-deserved honor. I learn so

to send a message of thanks to

have, and we always will.

much, not only about the person,

all our members from dealers and

Now back to my article.

but also about their achievements

something a little different. I want

technicians, to manufacturers, to all the industry professionals that make up NMEDA. Author’s note: I started writing this article shortly after the NMEDA conference in the first week of March, since then I think you all know what happened with the COVID-19 outbreak and so I wanted to mention that. I have not changed my article

“

I have never worked in an industry where it doesn’t matter if you are business competitors, that the goal was more important, and that everyone worked together, shared ideas, and found solutions for its customers.”

significantly, but thought it was

I was inspired to write this article

and how they made a difference in

important to mention how things

after coming back from our annual

advancing the mobility industry. It

have changed so quickly for so many

conference in Daytona Beach. What

is so impressive beyond words for

of us, regardless of our work or what

a conference! I hope you were all

me to hear these stories and then to

industries we work in. This pandemic

there to take part in this year’s event.

think that I am (we are) all part of

is not over as I am writing this and our

It’s such a special time for all of us

this phenomenal industry dedicated

whole Tampa office is now working

here on staff who sit in our office

to helping bring mobility solutions to

from home. I can only imagine at the

chairs and do everything we can to

so many. I think Dave Hubbard said

time you are reading this, how much

assist our members and partners

it best when he was introducing this

44

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

year’s Hall of Fame inductees and

one thing in common, passion. Passion

this, but I feel I needed to share that

said (I am going from memory here)

to provide safe and reliable mobility

with you.

that there were so many in the room

solutions for people with disabilities.

today as he looked out at the crowd

Passion to improve. Passion to do

that could be nominated to the Hall

what’s right. Passion for what we do at

of Fame, probably one or more at

NMEDA, and most importantly, passion

each table. You know what, I think he

for the person behind the wheel.

is right. Our association is made up of so many great people, innovators, inventors, champions, and pioneers of the mobility industry. I stand in awe of what they have accomplished.

Moments like these, you can only appreciate when you come to the conference. I plead with you, if you haven’t come to a conference, or maybe not in a while, to come and experience this for yourself. If you’re anything like me, you will walk away

That is really all I wanted to say. We are going through some unprecedented times right now with this pandemic. But I know you are giving it your all, every day, every

I have worked in many industries in

minute, to do whatever you can for

my years and I have never worked

your customers. We (NMEDA) could

in an industry where I have seen so

never be who we are without all of

much passion for helping people and

you. And yes, I promise to get back to

each other. I have never worked in an

more insightful, remarkably intelligent,

industry where it doesn’t matter if you

sometimes snarky (and hopefully not

are business competitors, that the goal

boring) topics related to QAP soon.

was more important, and that everyone

But until then, and from the bottom of

worked together, shared ideas, and

my heart...to all of you, for all you do....

found solutions for its customers. I

THANK YOU!

know I am not the first one to realize

---

re-energized and with some good memories. Trust me on this.

I could never do justice in this article giving the praise you all deserve for your work with NMEDA. Whether you are an occupational therapist, physical therapist, DRS, or CDRS. Whether you work for a department of rehabilitation, VR, or the VA. Whether you’re a dealer, business owner, technician, service, sales, or general manager, administrative assistant, or work in any capacity for a dealer.

Whether you work for an insurance company, test company, training company, audit company, marketing company, distributor, or provide a product or service to anyone in NMEDA. Whether you manufacture, install, sell, or design mobility equipment. Or whether you’re retired from, married to, the daughter or son of someone working in our industry.

You are all my heroes because every one, and I am not joking here, every one of our members I have met in my just over six years with NMEDA share

Apr–Jun 2020

45

QAP DASHBOARD

QAP DASHBOARD AVERAGE FINDINGS PER AUDIT April 2019–March 2020

1.8 1.6 1.4 1.2 1 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

TOP 5 AUDIT FINDINGS April 2019–March 2020 NCT Missing/Expired

32

Calibration Overdue

28

QAP Contact Training Incomplete

24

NHTSA Listing Needs Update QC Manual Review Needed

14 12

AUDIT FINDING SEVERITY April 2019–March 2020 Major, 19 Successful Audit, 53 Minor, 53

Opportunity for Improvement, 123

46

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

QAP DASHBOARD QAP DASHBOARD Total QAP Dealers in Good Standing Quarterly: September 2019–March 2020

332

331

330 328 326 324

324

Feb-20

Mar-20

322

321

322

324

320 318 316

Sep-19

Dec-19

Jan-20

NEW QAP APPLICATIONS & ACCREDITATIONS Quarterly: September 2019–March 2020 Applications

Accreditations

6

5

5 4 3

4 3

3

3 2

2

1

1 0

2

Sep-19

Dec-19

Dealers with No Audit Findings Ability Center – Las Vegas, NV Ability Center – Phoenix, AZ Access2Mobility, Inc. – Tyler, TX American Lift Aids – Beaumont, TX FastServ Medical Bossier – Bossier City, LA Fastserv Medical Monroe – West Monroe, LA Js Mobility Unlimited Inc. – Flowood, MS Lift Aids Inc. – Euless, TX MobilityWorks – Buda, TX MobilityWorks – Las Vegas, NV MobilityWorks – Merrillville, IN MobilityWorks – Mesquite, TX MobilityWorks – San Antonio, TX MobilityWorks – Savannah, GA MobilityWorks – Waco, TX Open Road Mobility – Lubbock, TX Texas Adaptive Aids – Aledo, TX Total Mobility Concepts LLC – Tupelo, MS

Jan-20

1

Feb-20

1

Mar-20

Newly Accredited Dealers Superior Van & Mobility Superior Van & Mobility Superior Van & Mobility Superior Van & Mobility Superior Van & Mobility

– Fayetteville, AR – Jonesboro, AR – Montgomery, AL – N. Little Rock, AR – Pensacola, FL

Apr–Jun 2020

47

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS REPORT

VMSA Rulemaking, Auto Grant Bill Updates

T

by Amy Schoppman NMEDA DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

he Department of Veterans

Similar to our approach in advance

America (PVA), and the Veterans of

Affairs (VA) published its

of the June 2017 “VA Town Hall

Foreign Wars (VFW) have expressed

initial Notice of Proposed

Meeting” regarding VMSA, NMEDA

support for the legislation. NMEDA

Rulemaking (NPRM) in connection

will be reaching out to members for

is also supportive of this proposal,

with the Veterans Mobility Safety

both general and specific comments

whose introduction follows years

Act (VMSA) in March. Referred to

regarding the NPRM’s content. If you

of our association’s advocacy on

as “Part 1” of the VMSA Rulemaking,

have questions or would like to submit

Capitol Hill. Our discussions with

this document—which proposes to

a comment in response to the NPRM,

Members of Congress serving on the

amend VA’s regulations governing

please contact me by May 1 and I’ll be

House and Senate VA Committees,

the provision of monetary

happy to assist.

as well as our meetings with House

In other VA-related news,

and Senate VA Committee staff,

allowances for eligible veterans and servicemembers requiring automobile adaptive equipment (AAE)—is a significant advancement toward the implementation of the VMSA.

Congressional legislation authorizing VA to allow qualifying veterans to receive more than one Auto Grant was introduced in the House of

were intended to educate decisionmakers regarding both the complexity and the importance of automotive independence. The increased availability of VA’s Auto Grant, as

Quality and safety standards for

Representatives in February. H.R.

automotive mobility equipment and

5761—referred to as the “Advancing

installers, as well as the identification

Uniform Transportation Opportunities

of and/or selection criteria for third-

(AUTO) for Veterans Act”—proposes

and quality of life.

party non-profit certifying bodies, will

to amend the U.S. Code to permit

The House’s AUTO for Veterans Act

be addressed in “Part 2” of the VMSA

eligible veterans to receive an

does not currently have a Senate

Rulemaking (which is expected to

additional Auto Grant once 10 years

companion bill, and its legislative

be released later this year). However,

have elapsed since the receipt of their

prospects may be impacted by

VA must first establish a regulation

preceding Auto Grant (thus modifying

COVID-19 circumstances. It remains to

regarding payment for AAE and

the current “once-in-a-lifetime” Auto

be seen whether this proposal will be

related services, which “Part 1” will

Grant allowance for veterans with a

the subject of one or more hearings,

eventually establish.

service-connected disability).

or a fiscal impact analysis, before the

The NPRM relies heavily on NMEDA

Representatives from The American

end of this Congress.

resources and information—most

Legion, Paralyzed Veterans of

---

notably the 2018 Average Price Survey—and following internal analysis, NMEDA will submit an official comment in advance of the May 11, 2020* comment deadline. (*Please note that this deadline may be—but at the time of publication has not been—extended due to COVID-19 circumstances.)

48

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

proposed by this legislation, will enhance disabled veterans’ mobility

 

est. 1986

 y’s              

* with EZ Lock App

                            

WHEELCHAIR DOCKING SYSTEM BL-6290 1 piece base system EZ-8202 2 piece base system *smaller profile *variable heights

MRC-51T

Manual Release Cable (recommended)

        

TOUCHPAD One button with LED lights

VOICE FEEDBACK NOTIFICATION* “READY”

Chair LOCKED

“STOP”

Chair NOT LOCKED

“WARNING”

Lock DEACTIVATED

“CHAIR UNLOCKED” “LOCK RE-ACTIVATED” “SOLENOID MALFUNCTION”

Red - (STOP) wheelchair not locked Yellow - (WARNING) deactivated Green - (READY)wheelchair locked

Please Roll Back System Ready Service Required

“PLEASE TURN OFF IGNITION TO UNLOCK CHAIR”

*OPTIONAL FEATURES

Apr–Jun 2020

49

Mobility Way

By Mike Savicki — Afterburner Communications NMEDA CONSULTANT

Up for the Challenge: Tampa’s Joel Rodriguez and his Warrior Spirit

U

pon meeting and chatting

always up for a challenge.

With his medals being just one

with Joel Rodriguez, it

Case and point? While it takes most

measure of competitive success, Joel

doesn’t take long to realize

he is something special. Sure, Joel’s energy and zest for making the most out of every day sets him apart from most. So, too, does his smile and overflowing joy when you see him together with his three year old son.

And the relationship he and his wife share, one built on mutual respect, shared caregiving, plus just a bit of competitive support, is clearly evident, too.

newly spinal cord injured individuals years to get their footing and build confidence, let alone enter the world

has already racked up an overflowing armful, including two bronze and a silver (rugby, 100m race, discus)

of adaptive sports, Joel, 30, who

against the world’s Invictus best.

has been injured for only five years,

Speaking of roads, choices, and

recently finished his fifth season of

results, hearing Joel talk about

wheelchair rugby (the sport more

his path back to driving is wholly

commonly known as MURDEREBALL,

motivating and inspirational. Those of

where Joel, a C5,6, plays as a 1.0). And

us who use wheelchairs as a result of

the fact that he has already competed

a traumatic injury have experienced

in multiple National Veterans

(or at least heard stories of) that

Wheelchair Games, plus the Warrior

one less-than-optimistic doctor or

But what I think truly sets him apart

and Invictus Games (held in Florida

therapist who does his/her best to

as an Army veteran, a quadriplegic,

and Australia respectively), speaks

keep our expectations for life, living,

and as a human, is the fact that he is

volumes for the road he has chosen.

and independence as low as possible so as not to give false hope. Joel’s path back behind the wheel was fueled by one such individual.

“I remember the day very well,” Joel shares, “when someone who was supposed to be helping me get back on the road said after I explained I wanted a truck, ‘I don’t think you’ll ever be able to make that transfer on your own’. My wife said, ‘You don’t know my husband,’ and that’s all it took.”

50

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

driveway. Both vehicles utilize pushrock hand controls.

Reflecting on his New York upbringing, his years as a firefighter, then his 7.5 years in the Army as an air traffic controller, along with what keeps him motivated, moving and challenged, Joel shares, “To this day I still have a great relationship with so many who have been in my life, especially the Army. I love interacting with the military types and I love encouraging everyone, no matter who you are, how old you are, or what function you have, to get out there and live the life you should.”

“Our warrior spirit,” he concludes, “is what keeps us going.”

--Rather than accept the

dividends as he took delivery of a

recommendation and move ahead

blacked out 2014 Ford Raptor truck

with a “less than desirable for

with an Adapt Solutions Link Seat.

a twenty-five year old” vehicle

And two years later, to help transport

alternative, Joel challenged himself to

his family, friends, inlaws, sports

continue his rehab, get stronger, and

gear, etc., “from Florida to Denver to

learn transferring techniques from

Chicago, to pretty much everywhere

other veterans and adaptive sport

and back” he added a 2016 GMC VMI

friends. One year later his efforts paid

conversion van with a Ricon lift to his

Mike Savicki’s “Mobility My Way” is a quarterly column for the Circuit Breaker.

If you know of a NMEDA customer, client, member, or friend who has a unique personal story worth sharing, please email Katie McDonald, Circuit Breaker Editor, at katie.mcdonald@nmeda.org.

Growing as a Brand Ambassador Auto Express South’s GM, Tom O’Neil, describes his relationship with Joel Rodriguez As told to Mike Savicki I learned of Joel from the Warrior Games in Tampa. I took a vacation with my wife and we attended to volunteer with VMI driving Veterans. This was one of my first experiences in the community being a new VMI Signature dealer in early 2019. Right away after this event I knew I wanted to be engaged in the Veteran community.

When I returned from the Games I started my search and came across a news article about Joel and his family. The second I saw the video of his son crashing into him with a Little Tykes or, as Joel later referred to it as “try to put him over,” I knew I wanted to meet him. At the time my wife was pregnant with our daughter and everything about Joel’s family was just perfect. His son, Elijah, was adorable and had been on over 100

flights. He was part of the traveling team.

His wife, Liannie, worked on the chairs between (rugby) matches and has a no BS attitude. When Joel slammed his head on my dad’s sports car dash during a “spirited drive,” he asked her for help getting out of the car. She just laughed at him and said “do it yourself.” It was something I’ll never forget because she loved him so much but she wouldn’t come right to his aid. She wanted him to be as independent as possible and knew everyday she was going to make him fight for that. They’re just a great team.

The second I met Joel I realized he wasn’t the Brand Ambassador, it was him and his family. You’d look at Joel and think his injury must have really stopped him in his tracks, it’s not the case at all. He didn’t miss a beat, he just changed the path in his life.

Tom and Joel’s family dine together at Ford’s Garage Restaurant in Cape Coral, FL.

His undeterred conviction is why I thought Joel would be a perfect match for us. I asked him what changed everything for him and made the difference and he told me it was the ability to leave his house and go anywhere. Just knowing you can leave is a game changer. This aligned exactly with what our team had for long-term goals. I consider Joel just as much a friend as our brand advocate.

---

NMEDA INDUSTRY MEMBERS INDUSTRY ____________________________

Access & Mobility Finance, Inc. 1020 Aileen Street Lafayette, CA 94549 (925) 299-1039 Accessible Vans of America, LLC. 334 Buckington Street St. Peters, MO 63376 (636) 294-1762 Accessible Vehicle Solutions 2620 W Silver Spring Dr. Milwaukee, WI 53209 (414) 788-6280 ACE Mobility 9850 East 30th Street Indianapolis, IN 46229 (317) 241-2444 Adaptive Driving Alliance 111 Stow Avenue, Ste 103 Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221 (330) 928-7401 Adaptive Mobility 1551 Fall River Ave Seekonk, MA 02771 (508) 336-2556 Adaptive Mobility Systems, Inc. 2072 N. Bibb Drive Tucker, GA 30084 (770) 674-0776 Adapt-Solutions 145 Damase-Breton St-Lambert, QC G0S 2W0 (866) 641-0419 Affordable Mobility - Egan Auto 2035 Corbett Dr. Las Cruces, NM 88001 (575) 521-1006 Alegre Inc. 3101 West Tech Road Miamisburg, OH 45342 (937) 885-6786 All Medical, Inc. dba AM Accessibility 2011 Hampton Street Columbia, SC 29204 (803) 779-2011 All Mobility Store 5037 Morgans Way Laurel, DE 19956 (302) 381-2670 AMF Bruns of America 1797 Georgetown Road Hudson, OH 44236 (877) 506-3770

52

Automobility P.O. Box 421 Montrose, Vic 3765 Australia (039) 762-2277 Automotive Credit Corporation 26261 Evergreen Road Suite 300 Southfield, MI 48076 (248) 351-0149 AvonBrook Floor 2 Block A Cookstown Court Dublin, Germany D24WK28 B & D Independence Inc. 1024 Empire Street Mt.Carmel, IL 62863 (618) 262-7117 Banclease Acceptance Corporation 8221 Tristar Drive Irving, TX 75063 (214) 615-0661 Bever Mobility Products 2885 Sanford Ave SW Grandville, MI 49418 (888) 959-6198 Brandl Mobility Finance Services 559 Hwy 10 South St. Cloud, MN 56304 (866) 581-3922 BraunAbility P.O. Box 310 Winamac, IN 46996 (800) 843-5438 Bruno Independent Living Aids 1780 Executive Drive Oconomowoc, WI 53066 (262) 953-5396 Burhill Financial Services 116 N. Jefferson St. Dayton, OH 45402 (937) 224-3033 Creative Carriage Ltd. 6 Ridgeview Street St. George, ON N0E 1N0 (519) 740-4801 Credito Real USA Finance 1475 W Cypress Creek Road Suite 300 Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309 (954) 475-5904 Crescent Industries 191 Washington St. Auburn, ME 04210 (207) 777-3500

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

DealerTeam.com, LLC 2195 Larkspur Ln #203 Redding, CA 96002 (530) 232-3260

Home Safe, LLC dba NSM 5914 Jet Port Industrial Blvd.

Tampa, FL 33634 (813) 890-8809

Driving Solutions for Disabilities 5150 Broadway #604 San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 347-5006

HOMELINK 1111 West San Marnan Dr Waterloo, IA 50701 (866) 550-4551

Driving Systems, Inc. 16139 Runnymede St. Van Nuys, CA 91406 (818) 782-6793 EZ Lock 2001 Wooddale Blvd.

Baton Rouge, LA 70806 (225) 214-4620 Fiat Chrysler Automobiles 1000 Chrysler Drive Auburn Hills, MI 48326 (800) 255-9877 FleetPro Capital Services 219 Ashley Road Mascotte, FL 34753 (407) 716-0465 Forensic Safety Group 543 Davisville Rd Willow Grove, PA 19090 (215) 659-2400 Fortress Partners 5005 Plainfield Ave NE Suite 400 Grand Rapids, MI 49525 (616) 447-2293 Freedom Motors Inc., division of Savaria 14 Goodmark Place Etobicoke, ON M6W 6R1 (905) 799-5545 General Motors Corporation 100 Renaissance Ctr., MC482-A20-B98 Detroit, MI 48265 (313) 667-8682 Genesis Marketing & Agencies dba Genesis Mobility 2505 Viceroy Dr Units N1 N2 Winston Salem, NC 27012 (336) 682-8383 Golden Mobility & Rehab LTD 3150A Faithfull Avenue Saskatoon, SK S7K 8H3 (306) 242-9060 Harmar Mobility 2075 47th St. Sarasota, FL 34234 (800) 833-0478

Ingenium Engineering Services 4345 Teal Road Petersburg, MI 48270 (734) 279-9345 J. A. Allen & Associates 830 Mill Ridge Court Port Elgin, ON N0H 2C4 (416) 254-7237 Jaliscos Automotive 8750 NE Emerson St Portland, OR 97220 (503) 251-3865 Johnson Hand Controls LLC 3960 Locust Grove Rd Columbia, PA 17512 (717) 449-0089 Joysteer USA, Inc. 6624 Clay Avenue SW Grand Rapids, MI 49548 (832) 783-9751 KEMPF 1245 Lakeside Dr. #3005 Sunnyvale, CA 94085 (408) 773-0219 Mahadev Metal Works & Fabrication Unit 124, 125 - 11071 Bridgeport Rd. Richmond, BC V6X 1T3 (604) 270-3317 Malley Industries, Inc. 1100 Aviation Avenue Dieppe, NB E1A 9A3 (506) 859-8591 Manufacturing Production Services Corp.

2222 W. Enterprise St. Escondido, CA 92029 (800) 243-4051 Maximized Mobility Inc 649 The Parkway Unit 1 Petersborough, ON K9J7K2 (705) 750-0777 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC 8501 Palmetto Commerce Pkwy Ladson, SC 29456 (843) 666-4333 Midwest Transit Equipment 414 E Beaver Street Morocco, IN 47963 (708) 932-5328

NMEDA INDUSTRY MEMBERS Mobility Acceptance 7400 Midlothian Richmond, VA 23225 (804) 918-9601 Mobility Driven 832 North Crest Dr. Unit B Grand Junction, CO 81506 (970) 712-1435 Mobility Electronics, Inc. 9105 Hummer Dr Reno, NV 89521 (510) 317-1775 Mobility Funding Group, Inc. 2040 Frontage Road South Waite Park, MN 58387 (877) 327-3533 Mobility Innovations 51277 Celeste Dr. Shelby Twp, MI 48315 (586) 843-3816 Mobility Software Solutions LLC 851 Trafalgar Ct Suite 160W Maitland, FL 32751 (407) 358-2000 Mobility Store & More 1116 E. Kingsbury Street Seguin, TX 78155 (830) 386-0446 Mobility Support Solutions 16212 Bothell Everett Highway Mill Creek, WA 98120 (425) 922-0990 MPower Engineering, Inc. 6175 Melvin Avenue Tarzana, CA 91356 (818) 614-6149 MVSCS (Inspired Solutions International) 6668 9 Hwy Selkirk, MB R1A 4G2 (866) 994-6559 New Life Van Auto & Truck Modification 258 Van Keuren Avenue Pine Bush, NY 12566 (845) 361-1244 Nor-Cal Vans, Inc. 1300 Nord Avenue Chico, CA 95926 (866) 892-0150 O’Reilly Auto Parts 233 S Patterson Avenue Springfield, MO 65802 (417) 829-5866 Paradigm Solutions 29 Rockefeller Blvd.

Rensselaer, NY 12144 (518) 426-8850

Paravan GmbH Paravan - Str. 5-10 D-72539 Pfronstetten Aichelau, Germany 72539 (844) 887-0723

Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc 6565 Headquarters Drive Plano, TX 75024 (469) 292-4649

PMG Technologies Inc. 100 Du Landais St. Blainville, QC J7C 5C9 (450) 430-7981

Vantage Mobility International 5202 S. 28th Place.

Phoenix, AZ 85040 (800) 348-8267

Pritchard Auto Group 980 Hwy 18 East Britt, IA 50473 (352) 552-6674 PSA Insurance & Financial Services 11311 McCormick Rd. Hunt Valley, MD 21031 (443) 798-7495 Q’Straint/Sure-Lok 4031 NE 12th Terrace Oakland Park, FL 33334 (954) 986-6665 Revability 1655 Wall St. Salina, KS 67402 (620) 314-3053 Royale Mobility LLC 100 Newark Street Haverhill, MA 01832 (978) 374-4530

Vantastic Mobility Sales, LLC 3614 US 74 Unit I Wingate, NC 28174 (704) 839-0492 Vehicle Protection Services PO Box 2106 Pflugerville, TX 78660 (512) 585-5911 Webb Capital Corp.

PO Box 213 Coppell, TX 75019 (800) 886-4926 Wolfe Mobility 368 Main Street Picton, ON K0K 2T0 (613) 476-1768

S-E-A Ltd 7001 Buffalo Parkway Columbus, OH 43229 (614) 888-4160 Specialty Transportation Systems, Inc. 2720 North Main Street Newton, NC 28658 (828) 464-9738 Sunrise Medical Solutions, Inc PO Box 425 Grayson, GA 30017 (770) 676-7337 Sure Grip Hand Controls 4850 Route 102 Upper Kingsclear, NB E3E 1P8 (506) 363-5289 TCF Equipment Finance, Inc 11100 Wayzata Blvd Suite 801 Minnetonka, MN 55305 (952) 656-7527 Tempe Mobility 7975 S. Autoplex Loop Tempe, AZ 85284 (480) 598-2383 TMN 58 Ha”Khermesh Haifa, Japan 31000

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53

NMEDA ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

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ALABAMA Brandon Adamson 201 London Parkway # 450 Birmingham, AL 35211 (205) 414-8430 Chris Adkison 201 London Parkway # 450 Birmingham, AL 35211 (205) 414-8430 Christopher Andrews 201 London Parkway # 450 Birmingham, AL 35211 (205) 917-8432 Jacob Ellison 201 London Parkway # 450 Birmingham, AL 35211 (205) 917-8432 Josh Forsman 201 London Parkway # 450 Birmingham, AL 35211 (205) 870-5999 Tracey Kennedy 201 London Parkway # 450 Birmingham, AL 35211 (205) 870-5999 Lou Klein 8933 Green Chase Drive Montgomery, AL 36117 (941) 726-2220 Cory McClendon 201 London Parkway # 450 Birmingham, AL 35211 (205) 917-8432 Craig Rogers 201 London Parkway # 450 Birmingham, AL 35211 (205) 414-8430 Jennifer Rogers 201 London Parkway # 450 Birmingham, AL 35211 (205) 414-8430 William Scott 201 London Parkway # 450 Birmingham, AL 35211 (205) 414-8430 David Shelnutt 201 London Parkway # 450 Birmingham, AL 35211 (205) 870-5999 Cedrick Wallace 201 London Parkway # 450 Birmingham, AL 35211 (205) 414-8430 Miika Weiman 201 London Parkway # 450 Birmingham, AL 35211 (205) 915-2299

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Stephen Williams 201 London Parkway # 450 Birmingham, AL 35211 (205) 870-5999

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ALASKA Tara Burns 103 Fram St Petersburg, AK 99833 (907) 209-3835

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ARIZONA Carol Blanc 755 E McDowell Road Phoenix, AZ 85006 (602) 521-3072 Jennifer Nordine 1414 W. Broadway Rd. #111 Tempe, AZ 85282 (480) 449-3331

Barry Doyle 3425 S. Clarkson Street Englewood, CO 80113 (303) 789-8218

Vera Moffitt-Scott 2610 N 19th Street Tampa, FL 33605 (813) 766-9746

Tiffany Heck 3425 S. Clarkson St. Englewood, CO 80113 (303) 789-8237

Eilif L. Olesen 12700 66 Street North #1128 Largo, FL 33773 (727) 424-7485

Colleen Knoll 3425 S. Clarkson Street Englewood, CO 80113 (303) 789-8218

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CONNECTICUT Karen Bassett 145 Wormwood Road Fairfield, CT 06824 (203) 581-4028

Jillian Steen 300 Hollywood Way Hollywood, FL 33021 (954) 614-6051 Dorothee Zuleger 2905 Abbey Ct. Winter Park, FL 32792 (407) 237-3099

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GEORGIA

Jason Strowmatt 1414 W. Broadway Rd. #111 Tempe, AZ 85282 (713) 446-4628

FLORIDA Carlos Abella 27553 Cashford Circle Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 (813) 631-9700

Matt Abisamra 2020 Peachtree Rd. NW Atlanta, GA 30309 (404) 350-7722

James Stueben 1500 W Longhorn Ct Chandler, AZ 85286 (480) 277-4931

Courtney Beach 22 Iroquis Trail Ormond Beach, FL 32174 (386) 235-7384

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ARKANSAS William “Grant” Camden 9601 Baptist Health Drive Little Rock, AR 72205 (501) 202-7598

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CALIFORNIA Penny M. Anders 1641 Borana St. San Diego, CA 92111 (858) 565-2437 Lula Capuchino 3601 Marconi Ave. Sacramento, CA 95821 (916) 481-1300 Paul Cooper P.O. Box 641 Montebello, CA 90640 (323) 855-1502 Gregory Paquin 5140 Florence Ave. Unit C Bell, CA 90201 (323) 326-1383

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COLORADO Sarah Davidson 3425 S. Clarkson St. Englewood, CO 80113 (303) 789-8117

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

Lisa Crisalli 3936 SE 20th Ave Keystone Heights, FL 32656 (352) 339-2039 Janet Gardner 18908 Adams Country Way Lutz, FL 33559-8222 (813) 631-9700 Juliette Delgado 300 Hollywood Way Hollywood, FL 33021 (954) 579-3234 Stephen A. Emerson 1384 Wainwright Way Ft. Myers, FL 33919 (239) 633-0180 Lori Grismore 8031 Brien Green Way Temple Terrace, FL 33637 (813) 396-0728 Judi Hamelburg 1031 Ives Dairy Rd. Suite 228 N. Miami Beach, FL 33179 (305) 770-0747 Dave Krieger 9315 Hunters Park Way Tampa, FL 33647 (800) 738-9967 Ginger H. Le 27553 Cashford Cir Ste 101 Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 (813) 631-9700

Dan Allison 2020 Peachtree NW Atlanta, GA 30309 (404) 350-7763 Lakisha Gray 2020 Peachtree Rd. NW Atlanta, GA 30309 (404) 350-7720 James Kennedy 2020 Peachtree Rd. NW Atlanta, GA 30309 (404) 367-1296 Rajesh Pagadala 3586 Riverside Drive Macon, GA 31210 (478) 279-1885 Jacqueline Valme 747 South Eighth Street Suite D Griffin, GA 30224 (770) 229-6498

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ILLINOIS Anne Hegberg 26W171 Roosevelt Road Wheaton, IL 60187 (630) 909-6080

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INDIANA Mason Campbell 9531 Valparaiso Court Indianapolis, IN 46268 (317) 879-8940 Susan Fassett 63558 Peppermint Road North Liberty, IN 46554 (574) 647-2634

NMEDA ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS Suzanne HardestyPritchard 4740 Kingsway Drive Indianapolis, IN 46205 (317) 721-8636 Kathy Kachanoski 1732 Timbercrest Dr. Columbus, IN 47203 (800) 841-4938 Mary Ellen Keith 18 Wilson Drive Carmel, IN 46032 (317) 696-0405 Carmen Palanca 1156 Ridgeview Ct. Avon, IN 46123 (317) 660-6506 Jeff Perron 2430 Lingerman Way Avon, IN 46123 (317) 329-2115 Eva Richardville 311 N. Airport Office Park Ft. Wayne, IN 46285 (260) 417-8399 Russell Schimmell 3701 Bellemeade Avenue Evansville, IN 74414 (812) 492-0645

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IOWA Andy Nelson 301 West North Street Richland, IA 52585 (641) 242-0600

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KENTUCKY MaryFrances Gross 4805 Hemlock Way Lexington, KY 40514 (619) 607-1142

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LOUISIANA Michael K Shipp 1340 Mitcham Orchard Road Ruston, LA 71270 (318) 245-7361

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MARYLAND

Tricia/Mark Whitehouse 250 Milton St., #LL002 Dedham, MA 02026 (781) 329-6656

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MICHIGAN Aisha Hedwood PO Box 48561 Oak Park, MI 48237 (313) 719-4335 Derrick Hedwood PO Box 48561 Oak Park, MI 48237 (313) 719-4335

Carrie Meher 28 Eastern Ave Watervliet, NY 12189 (518) 248-2125 Raanan Zidile 1642 Coney Island Aveue Brooklyn, NY 11230 (718) 414-2457

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Danton Lloyd PO Box 241 Okemos, MI 48805 (517) 349-7990

Cyndee Crompton 605 Cabaret Rd. McLeansville, NC 27301 (336) 697-7841

Kelby Lloyd P.O. Box 241 Okemos, MI 48805 (517) 349-7990

Mike Edwards NC Div of Vocational Rehabilitation Suite 101 Charlotte, NC 28212 (704) 568-8804

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MISSOURI

NORTH CAROLINA

SOUTH CAROLINA Tom Jackman 1410-C Boston Ave. W. Columbia, SC 29170 (803) 896-6080 Brigitte King 701 grove Rd Greenville, SC 29605 (864) 455-4476 Alan B. Simmerson 3602 Deerfield Drive Columbia, SC 29204 (803) 776-4000

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TENNESSEE Amy Palmer 1235 Fuller Rd. Dyersburg, TN 38024 (731) 446-7210 Martha Stephenson 1701 W State Line Road South Fulton, TN 38257 (731) 479-1568

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TEXAS Karrie Reinecke 7400 Merton Minter Blvd San Antonio, TX 78229 (210) 617-5300

Bruce Autry 2816 Ginger Drive West Plains, MO 65775 (417) 274-2778

Liz Green 200 First Avenue N.W. #505 Hickory, NC 28601 (866) 672-9466

Kimberley Weishaar 3011 Baltimore Avenue Kansas City, MO 64108 (816) 751-7970

OHIO

Lynne Scott Lee 124 Citation Lane Waxahachie, TX 75165 (504) 439-1001

Christina Duncan 455 Rushmore Drive Richmond Heights, OH 44143 (601) 613-1535

Chad Strowmatt 11020 Katy Freeway Suite 217 Houston, TX 77043 (713) 858-1582

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MONTANA Kaitlyn Radi 1876 Songbird Dr. Billings, MT 59101 (406) 855-2673

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PENNSYLVANIA

NEW JERSEY

Lori Benner 30 Hope Drive EC 130 Hershey, PA 17033 (717) 531-7444

Carrie Monagle 2381 Lawrenceville Road Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 (609) 896-9500

Brenda Bennett 4202 Peach Street Erie, PA 16509 (814) 833-2301

NEW YORK

Amy Lane 3600 Forbes Avenue at Atwood Suite 3010 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (412) 864-3068

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Gail Babirad PO Box 540 Kinderhook, NY 12106 (800) 987-2753

MASSACHUSETTS

Jurgen Babirad Post Office Box 540 Kinderhook, NY 12106 (800) 987-2753

Eugene Blumkin 600 Washington Street Boston, MA 02211 (617) 204-3721

John Lorenzetti 4144 High Banks Rd. Geneva, NY 14456 (315) 585-9198

C Kerry Jones 26875 Church St. Edwardsburg, MI 49112 (269) 663-0226

Elin Davis 6116 Executive Blvd Suite 200 North Bethesda, MD 20852 (800) 729-2682

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Karen Fitzgerald 1350 Deer Park Avenue North Babylon, NY 11703 (631) 667-9642

Linda Farrell 210 Rabie Road Averill Park, NY 12018 (518) 577-4447

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PUERTO RICO

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VIRGINIA Katie Fair 6858 Old Dominion Dr Suite 200 McLeansville, VA 22101 (703) 288-8260 Jennifer Lambertson 108 Dogwood Drive Fredericksburg, VA 22405 (540) 903-0619

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WISCONSIN Chelsea Hales W 7366 Flambeau Point Rd Ladysmith, WI 54848 (715) 532-0327

Grisselle Rivera-Ortiz Palmares de Monteverde San Juan, PR 00926 (939) 246-9256

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NMEDA ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS CANADA ____________________________

BRITISH COLUMBIA Larry Bowen PO Box 78095 Northside RPO Port Coquitlam, BC V3B 4X5 (604) 996-4893 Lisa Kristalovich 4255 Laurel Street Vancouver, BC V52 2G9 (604) 734-1313 Dean Robertson 3405 W 31 Ave. Vancouver, BC V6S 1X6 (604) 263-5218 Lars Taylor #201 - 4710 31st Street Vernon, BC V1T 5J9 (250) 307-2387 ____________________________

NEW BRUNSWICK Maura Dulong 800 Priestman St. Fredericton, NB E3B 0C7 (506) 452-5876

ONTARIO Shah Baqar, OT, CDRS 20 Linsmary Court Markham, ON L6E 1L2 (416) 419-3031 Tim Danter 882 Fairway Road N Kitchener, ON N2A 0C2 (905) 330-1596 F. Lortie 68 Bloomfield London, ON N6G 1P3 (519) 495-9541 Wendy Nieuwland 370 Bayview Drive, #100 Barrie, ON L4N 7L3 (705) 727-0319 Susan Paszt PO Box 58 Warkworth, ON K0K 3K0 (705) 875-2133 Tamalea Stone 398 McDonnel Street Unit 4 Peterborough, ON K9H 2X4 (705) 741-7660

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Janice Yeung 2800 Peacock Dr Mississauga, ON L5M 5R5 (416) 803-3811 ____________________________

QUEBEC Dana Benoit 7005 de Maisonneuve West Montreal, QC H4B 1T3 (514) 487-1891 Nathalie Maertens 7005 de Maisonneuve West Montreal, QC H4B 1T3 (514) 487-1891 Alyssa Merilees 7005 de Maisonneuve West Montreal, QC H4B 1T3 (514) 487-1891 Susan Sofer 6900 Boul Decarie Suite M170 Cote St-Luc, QC H3X 2T8 (514) 733-1414

Minh-Thy Truong 7005 de Maisonneuve West Montreal, QC H4B 1T3 (514) 487-1770

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SASKATCHEWAN Suzanne Lendvoy 2180 23rd Avenue Driver Assessment Program Regina, SK S4S 0A5 (306) 766-5968 _______________________________

INTERNATIONAL _______________________________

JAPAN Etsuo Horikawa 5-1-1 Nabeshima Saga City 8498501 80 3377 2588

Kristian Thivierge 7005 de Maisonneuve West Montreal, QC H4B 1T3 (514) 487-1891

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NMEDA Circuit Breaker

NMEDA EDU/GOV’T/NON-PROFIT MEMBERS Vilma Cedoz University of South Florida 3191 Maguire Blvd. S233 Orlando, FL 32803 (407) 204-7633

Tina Paff Bicks Driving School 6367 Glenway Ave Cincinnati, OH 45211 (513) 251-2100

Marie-Eve Barbeau Programme Adaptation Vehicule (SAAQ) 333 boul Jean-Lesage S1-27 Quebec City, QC G1K 8J6 (418) 528-4281

Patrick Delplancke Transport Canada 330 Sparks St Ottawa, ON K1A 0N5 (613) 998-2189

Sean Berry Texas A&M Transportation Institute 3135 TAMU College Station, TX 77843 (979) 845-6375

Robert Holcomb Allen Driving Academy 32347 County Road 473 Suite B Leesburg, FL 34788 (352) 636-1801

Rev. Julius Lee, CBT President SMCL Foundation & Associates Inc. Adaptive & Multi-services Organization 2910 Seine Street New Orleans, LA 70114 (504) 450-4014

Eric Bradley Texas A&M Transportation Institute 3135 TAMU College Station, TX 77843 (979) 845-7492

Todd Keanan James A. Haley VA Hospital 13000 Bruce B. Downs.

Blvd.

Tampa, FL 33612 (813) 972-2000

Timothy P. Brant Brant’s Driving School 596 Goucher Street Johnstown, PA 15905 (877) 395-7011

Michel Morency SAAQ 333, boul. Jean-Lesage, C-4-21 Quebec City, QC G1K 8J6 (418) 528-3597

Lance Bullard Texas A&M Transportation Institute 3135 TAMU College Station, TX 77843 (979) 845-6153

Torrey Morse Connecticut Bureau of Rehab Services 55 Farmington Ave, 12th Fl Hartford, CT 06105 (860) 424-4865

EDU/GOV’T/NONPROFIT ____________________________

Matt Rivers Road Rules Driving School 2540 Farmcrest Avenue Peterborough, ON K9L1H7 7058749220 Stephen Sundarrao Rehabilitation Engineering & Technology Program 4202 E. Fowler Avenue ENB 118 Tampa, FL 33620 (813) 974-5346 Vito A Villa UAMS - Northwest 1125 North College Avenue Fayetteville, AR 72703 (479) 713-8630 James Wooldridge SIU Department of Rehabilitation of Services 500C South Lewis Lane Carbondale, IL 62948 (618) 453-2331

Apr–Jun 2020

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DATES TO REMEMBER This calendar of upcoming events is provided as a service to NMEDA members. The Circuit Breaker cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided. Please verify dates and locations with the organizations listed.

NMEDA Board of Directors Meeting May 21, 2020 June 18, 2020

Abilities Expo - Chicago

June 12—14, 2020 Visit www.abilities.com/chicago for more information.

ADED Annual Conference - Lansing, Michigan July 24—28, 2020 Visit www.aded.net for more information.

Abilities Expo - Houston

July 31—August 2, 2020 Visit www.abilities.com/houston for more information.

Abilities Expo - NY Metro

August 14—16, 2020 Visit www.abilities.com/newyork for more information.

Abilities Expo - Phoenix

September 11—13, 2020 Visit www.abilities.com/phoenix for more information.

Abilities Expo - Toronto

October 2—4, 2020 Visit www.abilitiesexpotoronto.com for more information.

To have your information included in Dates to Remember, please submit at least 12 weeks before the event to katie.mcdonald@nmeda.org.

58

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

Aprâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Jun 2020

59

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