January—March 2021

January—March 2021 | Volume 28 Issue 1

Life Moving Forward Member Notice: 2021 Board Election Results Industry Advisor: Ejection Mitigation Exemption for Modifiers Subcontractors & Insurance Coverage: An Often Overlooked Problem ...and so much more!

THE NMEDA MAGAZINE

See pg. 28

NMEDA.org

NEW CERTIFICATION

MASTER TECHNICIAN In recognition of the dedicated service and experience of our NMEDA Certified Technicians (NCT), we are launching a new rank of technician—the Master NCT. To be eligible to apply, candidates must provide: • •

An unexpired NCT Certificate Proof of two cumulative years of full-time employment with a NMEDA dealer member

To qualify for Master NCT, applicants must meet the following requirements within one year of application acceptance: 1. Proof of MSS hands-on training attendance within last two years or proof of completion within one year of Master NCT application acceptance 2. Proof of Braun/VMI/Revability hands-on training attendance within last two years or proof of completion within one year of Master NCT application acceptance 3. Proof of Powered Gas & Brake Secondary School training attendance within last two years or proof of completion within one year of Master NCT application acceptance 4. Proof of four unexpired ASE electives A4 (Suspension and Steering), A5 (Brakes), A6 (Electrical/Electronic systems), and G1 (Automotive Maintenance and Repair) Download an application form at www.NMEDA.com/MasterNCTApp All supporting documentation can be emailed to learning@nmeda.org or faxed to 813.962.8970.

For more details, contact NMEDA at learning@nmeda.org | 813.264.2697

NMEDA CIRCUIT BREAKER

JAN—MAR 2021

THE NMEDA MAGAZINE

President Christian Quandt

CEO Danny Langfield

Layout, Editor & Creative Director Katie McDonald

VOLUME 28, ISSUE 1

FEATURES

COLUMNS

22 Member Notice: 2021 Board Election Results

8

Officer’s Message - By Christian Quandt

18

CEO’s Message - By Danny Langfield

28 On the Cover Auto Mobility vs. COVID-19: 2020 and Beyond - By Katie McDonald 34 Guest Feature: An Often Overlooked Problem - By Chris Woods

Contributing Writers Harry Baergen Chuck Hardy Danny Langfield Katie McDonald David Parton Christian Quandt Mike Savicki Amy Schoppman Chris Woods

42 GR Report: 2020 Recap: Binge-Watch Edition - By Amy Schoppman 46 Mobility MY Way - By Mike Savicki

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

20 Industry Advisor - By Harry Baergen 36 QAP Straight Talk - By Chuck Hardy 40 Canada President’s Message - By David Parton

ALSO

4

Board of Directors

6

Staff Directory

10 Dealer Member Directory

3327 W. Bearss Avenue Tampa, FL 33618

25 Around the Industry 38

For business office, advertising, and subscriptions:

QAP Dashboard

48 Industry Member Directory

Tel: 813.264.2697 Toll-Free: 800.833.0427 www.nmeda.org info@nmeda.org

50 Allied Health Professional Member Directory

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

Back issues are available by calling the NMEDA office.

53 Edu/Government/Non-Profit Member Directory 54 Dates to Remember

All rights are reserved under copyright laws © 2021.

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.

CONTENTS

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.

Jan-Mar 2021

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

Jan-Mar 2021

5

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

Kristen Clevidence Quality Program Manager kristen.clevidence@nmeda.org

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

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

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

Amy Lane

Director of Education & Training amy.lane@nmeda.org

Katie McDonald Director 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

6

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

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

Jan-Mar 2021

7

OFFICER’S MESSAGE

A Year of Change

By Christian Quandt NMEDA PRESIDENT

S

o when we were all shaking

probably realized. Not only did they

to Katie and Kristen for an incredible

hands, hugging, kissing

tackle some huge items, they did it

dedication of time and diligence to

goodbye in March at the

remotely, and during the sudden and

make it come together. All of their

last conference, I don’t think any

shocking loss of team member and

work will help to continue to provide

of us really knew we were on the

friend, Andy Ghillyer. Thank you to

us dealers with fantastic tools to

precipice of things unimaginable.

Mikala for working so hard this year

help manage our businesses. It is an

Back then it was just being suggested

for our members to try to cover for

undertaking that can sometimes go

that we do the “elbow thing” or wave,

some of that loss. We welcome the

unnoticed because of all the back-

but since we were in a safe, bubble-

familiar face of Amy Lane and think

end work, but we all really appreciate

like environment like Daytona Beach

the association with Amy and Pitt will

it.

amidst Spring Break and Bike Week,

be really positive for NMEDA going

it was hugs as usual.

forward.

Just one week later, things got very

Danny’s flexible leadership and

Amy Schoppman has done as our

real, the industry’s customer base

positive attitude are what helped

Government Relations Director. You

was told to stay home and be distant,

keep the organization focused on

would have thought that all her work

our ways of doing things had to change fast, almost every aspect of our operations had to be changed, and probably changed again a few more times as things developed.

I know I’m very proud of our company and the sacrifices our entire team has collectively made this year, and I’m sure most of you feel the same way about your respective companies as well. There was no playbook for all this, it was learned on the fly. It was difficult for us all to manage, so I figured it was prudent of me to take a minute to recognize the work NMEDA did on our behalf this year.

I’m proud of and thankful for everyone on the NMEDA staff for accomplishing more than most of us

8

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

“

Another highlight of 2020 for NMEDA came as a result of all the hard work

...congratulations to all of our members, who have all had to embrace a resolve many of us probably didn’t know we had in us this year.”

the goals at hand despite all the

on getting NMEDA involved with

operational hurdles this year. Danny

the VA’s Integrated Project Team,

and Marilyn have been the only

or the ongoing work on the VMSA,

two in the trenches in the office all

or the incredibly important work

pandemic, making sure everyone is

she’s doing with our Average Price

connected and we all thank you both

Survey would be enough. However,

for your work on keeping the staff

her years of work and advocacy on

connected while they work remotely.

our behalf came full-circle when

What better year to launch a

she was contacted directly by

website, AMS, and LMS than during a pandemic, right? It was an entire team effort, but special thanks go out

Senator Tammy Duckworth recently, who was inquiring about possible recommendations for positions in the incoming administration. As they say

up near me, that’s “wicked cool.“

out to be the absolute perfect time,

probably didn’t know we had in us

Much like Amy’s role, Trevor’s ability

and did a fantastic job of keeping the

this year. I can’t wait to celebrate

audits close to on schedule despite

being on the other side of this when

the pandemic. He is a master of flow

I see you in person at the first co-

charts and well-managed meetings,

located conference with ADED in

and I think all of us appreciated how

Columbus, OH in September 2021.

smoothly the audit process went this

Until then, air high five from CT, and

to be grounded for the time being.

year.

cheers to a much better 2021.

I’d also like to say thanks to Chuck,

Lastly, congratulations to all of

---

to be “in front” of our partners was obviously severely hampered, but luckily he’s also been able to do a great job of keeping up with everyone remotely, even if he’s had

who rolled out a brand new, partially remote audit program at what turns

our members, who have all had to embrace a resolve many of us

Exclusive Member Benefit

Past Due VA Invoice Collection

If you are having difficulty getting invoices paid by VA, the NMEDA PDI Program is for you.

This exclusive members-only benefit offers a monthly collection of past due invoices from our members. VA’s slow payment practices have been an issue of great concern for years, and NMEDA continues to work on behalf of our members struggling to be paid promptly by VA.

Visit www.NMEDA.org/PDIProgram for details on how to submit your past due invoices.

Jan-Mar 2021

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 Birmingham 3747 Pine Lane SE Bessemer, AL 35022 (205) 426-8261 1,3 MobilityWorks - Huntsville 2150 Meridian Street North Huntsville, AL 35811 (234) 542-3022 1,3 Superior Van & Mobility Montgomery 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 A.D.E. Industries, Inc. 3621 S Palo Verde Tucson, AZ 85713 (520) 571-7156 1 Ability Center - Goodyear 13765 W Auto Drive Suite 125 Goodyear, AZ 85338 (623) 242-0552 1,3 Ability Center - Phoenix 23606 N 19th Ave Phoenix, AZ 85085 (623) 879-0800 1,3

10

Ability Center - Tucson 4720 N La Cholla Blvd Suite 150 Tucson, AZ 85705 (520) 293-3596 1,3

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

United Access - Phoenix 1825 E Germann Rd Ste 24 Chandler, AZ 85286 (877) 501-8267 1,2,3

Ability Center - San Diego 4797 Ruffner Street San Diego, CA 92111 (858) 541-0552 1, 3

United Access - Scottsdale 14885 N 83rd Pl., Ste 105 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 (877) 501-8267 1

Ability Center - Santa Rosa 3285 Santa Rosa Avenue Suite A Santa Rosa, CA 95707 (707) 575-6997 1,3

ARKANSAS

Access Options, Inc. Fremont 41545 Albrae St Fremont, CA 94538 (408) 734-5438 1

____________________________

Superior Van & Mobility Fayetteville 2887 N College Ave Suite B Fayetteville, AR 72703 (479) 521-8433 1,3 Superior Van & Mobility Jonesboro 2500 Commerce Dr Building A Suite B Jonesboro, AR 72401 (870) 933-7270 1,3 Superior Van & Mobility North Little Rock 7323 Cock of the Walk St Suite B North Little Rock, AR 72113 (501) 725-9070 1,3

____________________________

CALIFORNIA Ability Center - Fresno 2563 N. Fordham Avenue Fresno, CA 93727 (559) 291-2563 1,3 Ability Center - Inland Empire 711 S Allen St San Bernardino, CA 92408 (909) 383-3883 1,3 Ability Center - Long Beach 2715 Seaboard Ln Long Beach, CA 90805 (562) 634-5962 1,3 Ability Center - Orange Co 11600 Western Avenue Stanton, CA 90680 (714) 890-8262 1,3

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

Access Options, Inc. Watsonville 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 - Beverly Hills 1424 S La Cienega Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90035 (310) 432-0700 1,3 MobilityWorks - Chico 1300 Nord Avenue Chico, CA 95926 (800) 225-7361 1,3

MobilityWorks - Fresno 120 North Diamond Street Fresno, CA 93701 (559) 268-9394 1,3 MobilityWorks - Oakland 1822 Embarcadero Avenue Oakland, CA 94606 (234) 542-3022 1 MobilityWorks - Pasadena 325 North Altadena Drive Pasadena, CA 91107 (626) 584-8181 1,3 MobilityWorks - Riverside 7239 Indiana Avenue Riverside, CA 92504 (951) 686-3152 1,3 MobilityWorks Sacramento 3127 Fite Circle Suite B Sacramento, CA 95827 (800) 225-7361 1 MobilityWorks - San Diego 8130 Parkway Drive LaMesa, CA 91942 (619) 474-4072 1 MobilityWorks - San Francisco 890 Cowan Road Suite B Burlingame, CA 94010 (800) 225-7361 1,3 MobilityWorks - San Jose 1245 Laurelwood Rd Santa Clara, CA 95054 (888) 473-5402 1,3 MobilityWorks - Van Nuys 7720 North Sepulveda Blvd Van Nuys, CA 91405 (888) 473-5402 1,3 SACVANS Mobility 5821 Florin Perkins Road Sacramento, CA 95828 (916) 381-8267 1 ________________________

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. - Fort Collins 819 E. Mulberry St. Fort Collins, CO 80524 (970) 223-8267 1

True Mobility Inc 773 South DuPont Hwy New Castle, DE 19720 (302) 836-4110 1

Mobility Driven 832 Nth Crest Unit B Grand Junction, CO 81506 (970) 712-1435 1

FLORIDA

MobilityWorks - Aurora 1640 S Abilene St Aurora, CO 80012 (720) 640-9989 1,3 United Access - Colorado Springs 6285 Corporate Dr Colorado Springs, CO 80919 (877) 501-8267 1 United Access - Denver (South) 5910 E County Line Rd Highlands Ranch, CO 80126 (877) 501-8267 1,2,3 United Access - Denver (West) 9500 W 49th Ave Ste C107 Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 (877) 501-8267 1,2,3

____________________________

Active Mobility and Design, Inc. dba Buddy’s Holiday Mobility 6144 S US Highway 1 Fort Pierce, FL 34982 7724659600 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 1,4 Custom Mobility 7199 Bryan Dairy Road Largo, FL 33777 (727) 539-8119 1,3

Mobility Transportation Systems 4010 East Hillsborough Avenue Tampa, FL 33610 (813) 246-9116 1,2,3 MobilityWorks - Clermont 20354 US Hwy 27 Clermont, FL 34715 (352) 322-2256 1,3

Ocean Conversions & Mobility 750 East Sample Road Bldg 1 Suite 3 Pompano Beach, FL 33064 (954) 942-6033 1,2,3

MobilityWorks - Fort Lauderdale 5601 Powerline Road Suite 104 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 (954) 974-7028 1

Ocean Conversions of Fort Myers Inc 5751 Zip Drive Ft. Myers, FL 33905 (239) 936-6333 1,2,3

MobilityWorks - Fort Myers 12530 Metro Parkway Fort Myers, FL 33966 (239) 275-1900 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

MobilityWorks - Lake Worth 1925 10th Ave N Unit 1 Lake Worth, FL 33461 (561) 586-1997 1,3

Mike Erdman Mobility 4650 US Highway 520 Cocoa, FL 32926 (321) 636-8887 1

MobilityWorks - Largo 8203 Ulmerton Road Largo, FL 33771 (727) 521-4248 1,3

Mobility America 5130 Hwy 98 N Lakeland, FL 33809 (863) 816-1513 1

MobilityWorks - Miami 5201 NW 77th Ave Suite 100 Miami, FL 33166 (305) 234-0071 1,3

DELAWARE

Mobility Express 4320 US Highway 19 New Port Richey, FL 34652 (727) 849-0262 1

MobilityWorks - Ocala 7265 SW 62nd Ave Unit 1 Ocala, FL 34476 (352) 300-1173 1

MobilityWorks - Bear 1010 Contractors Way Bear, DE 19701 (302) 613-7555 1

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

MobilityWorks - Orlando 7260 Narcoossee Road Orlando, FL 32822 (407) 674-8778 1,3

CONNECTICUT Advanced Wheels - East Granby 33 Bradley Park Road East Granby, CT 06026 (860) 653-8064 1,2,3 Advanced Wheels - East Haven 650 Coe Avenue Suite 2 East Haven, CT 06512 (203) 800-8064 1 MobilityWorks - East Hartford 104 Pitkin Street E. Hartford, CT 06108 (860) 282-8202 1,3

____________________________

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

MobilityWorks - Daytona 364 Destination Daytona Lane Ormond Beach, FL 32137 (386) 586-5495 1,3

MobilityWorks Jacksonville 2727 St Johns Bluff Road S Jacksonville, FL 32246 (904) 281-0111 1,3

____________________________

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

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 Pensacola 6260 Technology Dr. Suite B Pensacola, FL 32505 (850) 378-8914 1,3 Team Adaptive - Pensacola 3618 N Pace Blvd Pensacola, FL 32505 (850) 332-1688 1,3 Team Adaptive Inc - Panama City 1201 Harrison Avenue Panama City, FL 32401 (850) 522-0059 1 World Of Independence Inc 1804 South Division Ave Orlando, FL 32805 (407) 422-1069 1,3 ____________________________

GEORGIA Adaptive Driving Solutions 3585 Riverwatch Parkway Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-2688 1,2,3

Jan-Mar 2021

11

NMEDA DEALER MEMBERS Custom Mobility Van & Lift Sales & Svcs. LLC 315 Whitehead Rd Athens, GA 30606 (706) 353-1099 1,3 MobilityWorks - Atlanta 3700 Dekalb Technology Pkwy Doraville, GA 30340 (470) 427-0696 1,3 MobilityWorks - Marietta 1255 Kennestone Circle Suite 100 Marietta, GA 30066 (800) 444-9100 1,3 MobilityWorks - Savannah 3938 Ogeechee Road Savannah, GA 31405 (912) 233-1050 1 Quail Country Customs 731 South Westover Blvd Albany, GA 31707 (229) 432-7258 1 R & R Van Lift Sales & Service - Athens 164 Commerce Blvd Athens, GA 30606 (470) 276-6282 1 R & R Van Lift Sales & Service - Conyers 2130 Sigman Road Conyers, GA 30012 (770) 483-0767 1,2,3

____________________________

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

____________________________

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

12

MobilityWorks - Plainfield 23855 W Andrew Road Plainfield, IL 60585 (888) 473-5402 1,3 MobilityWorks - Villa Park 155 East North Avenue Villa Park, IL 60181 (888) 473-5402 1,3 Personal Mobility Champaign 1109 Parkland Ct Champaign, IL 61821 (217) 398-1188 1,3 Personal Mobility - Peoria 7611 N Harker Drive Peoria, IL 61615 (309) 966-3089 1,3 Personal Mobility Springfield 2924 N Dirksen Parkway Springfield, IL 62702 (217) 544-2699 1,3 Southern Bus and Mobility - Breese 12950 Koch Lane PO Box 37 Breese, IL 62230 (618) 526-4131 1,3

____________________________

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

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

Superior Van & Mobility Indianapolis 5410 South Madison Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46227 (855) 208-5576 1,3

Superior Van & Mobility Louisville 1506 Lakeshore Court Louisville, KY 40223 (855) 208-5576 1,3

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

LOUISIANA

____________________________

IOWA Siebert Mobility of Iowa LLC 3554 Dolphin Drive Iowa City, IA 52240 (319) 351-3159 1,3

____________________________

KANSAS Banner Mobility Resources Inc. 231 SE 53rd St Ste C Topeka, KS 66609 (785) 235-3070 1 Jay Hatfield Mobility LLC Columbus 200 S East Avenue PO Box 270 Columbus, KS 66725 (800) 545-4227 1 Jay Hatfield Mobility LLC Wichita 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 - Lenexa 7921 Bond St Lenexa, KS 66214 (877) 501-8267 1,3

____________________________

KENTUCKY Superior Van & Mobility Lexington 761 East New Circle Road Lexington, KY 40505 (855) 208-5576 1,3

____________________________

Crescent Vans, Inc. 2424 Hickory Ave Metairie, LA 70003 (504) 738-2634 1,3 FastServ Medical - Bossier 1329 Driftwood Drive Bossier City, LA 71111 (318) 741-9586 1,3 Fastserv Medical - Monroe 112 Summer Lane West Monroe, LA 71291 (318) 396-3366 1,3 Superior Van & Mobility Baton Rouge 12329 Industriplex Blvd Baton Rouge, LA 70809 (855) 208-5576 1,3 Superior Van & Mobility New Orleans 1901 Westbank Expressway Suite 500 Harvey, LA 70058 (855) 208-5576 1

____________________________

MAINE Advanced Modifications Inc. 1766 Hammond Street Hermon, ME 04401 (207) 848-8226 1,3 MobilityWorks - Gray 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

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

Koons Ford of Annapolis 2540 Riva Road Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 224-2100 1,3 MobilityWorks - Beltsville 11409 Maryland Avenue Beltsville, MD 20705 (301) 595-4466 1,3 MobilityWorks - Windsor 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 Frederick 5411 Yukon Court Suite B Frederick, MD 21703 (240) 490-7840 1,3 ____________________________

MASSACHUSETTS Adaptive Mobility Equipment, Inc. 1551 Fall River Ave Seekonk, MA 02771 (508) 336-2556 1,3 MobilityWorks - North Attleboro 57 George Levin Drive N. Attleboro, MA 02760 (508) 643-0605 1,3 MobilityWorks - Norwood 560 Providence Highway Norwood, MA 02062 (781) 278-8885 1,3 MobilityWorks - Woburn 299 Washington Street Suite H Woburn, MA 01801 (339) 298-5650 1,3

____________________________

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

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

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

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

Clock Mobility - Lansing 603 N Waverly Rd Lansing, MI 48917-2800 (517) 272-4488 1

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

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

MobilityWorks - Roseville 1915 County Rd C West Roseville, MN 55113 (234) 312-2000 1,3

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

Clock Mobility - Traverse City 587 W Blue Star Drive Traverse City, MI 49684 (231) 943-9890 1 Creative Mobility Group, Inc. - Byron Center 7740 Clyde Park Avenue SW Byron Center, MI 49315 (616) 583-9730 1 Creative Mobility Group, Inc. - Madison Heights 32217 Stephenson Hwy Madison Heights, MI 48071 (248) 577-5430 1,3

____________________________

MISSISSIPPI 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. - Wayne 33073 Michigan Avenue Wayne, MI 48184 (734) 595-4400 1,3

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

MobilityWorks - Detroit 1604 East 14 Mile Road Madison Heights, MI 48071 (888) 473-5402 1,3

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

MobilityWorks - Saginaw 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

____________________________

____________________________

MINNESOTA

MISSOURI

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

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

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

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

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

NEBRAKSA Mobility Motoring 7222 South 142nd Street Omaha, NE 68138 (402) 884-3333 1,3 Superior Van & Mobility Omaha 11147 Mockingbird Dr. Omaha, NE 68137 (402) 934-7826 1,3

____________________________

NEVADA

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

Jan-Mar 2021

13

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

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

NEW HAMPSHIRE

NEW MEXICO

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

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

____________________________

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

____________________________

____________________________

NEW YORK

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

Van Products - Raleigh 2521 Noblin Road Raleigh, NC 27604 (919) 878-7110 1,3

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

Van Products - Wilmington 394A Green Meadow Drive Wilmington, NC 28405 (910) 793-5661 1

United Access - Rochester 3760 West Henrietta Rd Rochester, NY 14623 (877) 501-8267 1 United Access - Syracuse 2211 Erie Blvd E Syracuse, NY 13224 (877) 501-8267 1

____________________________

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

NEW JERSEY

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

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

Agor Enterprises, Inc Rochester 951 Panorama Trail South Rochester, NY 14625 (585) 385-2556 1

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

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

Agor Enterprises, Inc Syracuse 1241 Erie Blvd W Syracuse, NY 13204 (315) 510-4272 1

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

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

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

Ilderton Conversion of Asheville 735 Dogwood Road Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 670-1111 1,3

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

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

Ilderton Conversion of Charlotte 1424 Archdale Drive Charlotte, NC 28210 (704) 523-2022 1,3

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

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

MobilityWorks - Charlotte 4025 Queen City Drive Charlotte, NC 28208 (704) 399-0900 1,3

MobilityWorks - Dayton 214 Valley Street Dayton, OH 45404 (937) 963-0733 1,3

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

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

MobilityWorks - Concord 4012 Dearborn Place NW Concord, NC 28027 (704) 886-0868 1

MobilityWorks - Sharonville 11755 Mosteller Rd Sharonville, OH 45241 (513) 791-4000 1,3

Stalls Medical Inc dba Adaptive Vans Inc 7980 Chapel Hill Road Suite 101 Cary, NC 27513 (919) 233-0732 1

MobilityWorks - Toledo 1020 Laskey Road Toledo, OH 43612 (888) 473-5402 1,3

____________________________

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

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NMEDA Circuit Breaker

____________________________

NORTH CAROLINA

Key Mobility Services 1944 US State Route 68 North 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 MobilityWorks - Akron 810 Moe Drive Akron, OH 44310 (888) 473-5402 1,3 MobilityWorks - Bedford Heights 5040 Richmond Rd. Bedford Heights, OH 44146 (800) 951-6238 1,3 MobilityWorks - Columbus 7233 Industrial Parkway Plain City, OH 43064 (614) 873-1580 1

___________________________

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

OKLAHOMA Handicapped Vehicle Services Unlimited 7434 East 46th Street Tulsa, OK 74145 (918) 622-8400 1 Mobility One Transportation 14720 East Admiral Place Suite AB Tulsa, OK 74116 (918) 437-4488 1 United Access - Oklahoma City 730 W Hefner Rd Oklahoma City, OK 73114 (877) 501-8267 1,3

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 (717) 235-5899 1 MobilityWorks - Allentown 2200 South 12th St Suite 2210 Allentown, PA 18103 (888) 473-5402 1,2,3

OREGON

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

Ability Center - Eugene 3574 Marcola Road Springfield, OR 97477 (541) 726-4001 1,3

MobilityWorks - Pittsburgh 1012 Seco Road Monroeville, PA 15146 (888) 473-5402 1,3

Ability Center - Portland 9740 SW Wilsonville Road Suite 250 Wilsonville, OR 97070 (971) 224-5895 1,3

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

____________________________

R & J Mobility Service LLC - Medford 4938 Crater Lake Avenue Medford, OR 97504 (541) 245-4846 1,3 R & J Mobility Service LLC - Salem 200 Hawthorne Avenue SE Suite F560 Salem, OR 97301 (503) 838-5520 1,2,3 United Access - Portland (East) 12905 NE Airport Way Portland, OR 97230 (877) 501-8267 1,3 United Access - Portland (West) 4347 NW Yeon Ave Portland, OR 97210 (877) 501-8267 1,2,3

____________________________

PENNSYLVANIA Keller Wheelchair Lifts 197 Main Street Luzerne, PA 18709 (570) 288-1004 1,2,3

Steffy’s Garage Inc dba SGI Mobility 235 W Main Street Leola, PA 17540 (717) 656-6065 1,3 Total Mobility Services Inc Boswell 4785 Penn Avenue PO Box 7 Boswell, PA 15531 (814) 629-9935 1,2,3 Total Mobility Services Inc Harrisburg 7917 Derry Street Suite 124 Harrisburg, PA 17111 (800) 558-7408 1,3 ____________________________

PUERTO RICO 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 ____________________________

SOUTH CAROLINA Ilderton Conversion of Charleston LLC 8550 Rivers Avenue North Charleston, SC 29406 (843) 576-0414 1,3 MobilityWorks - Columbia 3624 Fernandina Road Columbia, SC 29210 (803) 828-5754 1 MobilityWorks - Greenville 563 Woodruff Road Greenville, SC 29607 (864) 293-7171 1 MobilityWorks - Murrells Inlet 11816 Highway 17 Bypass Murrells Inlet, SC 29576 (843) 268-4850 1,3

____________________________

SOUTH DAKOTA MobilityWorks - Tea 200 1st Street Tea, SD 57064 (605) 498-2000 1,3

____________________________

TENNESSEE Apple Independence Mobility 1750 Lee Seminary Road Cookeville, TN 38506 (877) 528-5788 1 MobilityWorks Chattanooga 1325 Mackey Branch Drive Chattanooga, TN 37421 (423) 308-8267 1,3 MobilityWorks - Gallatin 1015 S Water Avenue Gallatin, TN 37066 (651) 451-7373 1 MobilityWorks - Nashville 173 Industrial Drive Lavergne, TN 37086 (615) 280-5058 1,3 Superior Van & Mobility Knoxville 10640 Braden Dickey Lane Knoxville, TN 37932 (855) 208-5576 1,3

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

____________________________

TEXAS Access2Mobility, Inc. 12406 State Highway 155 South Tyler, TX 75703 (903) 592-6760 1,3 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 Pkwy S Pasadena, TX 77505 (281) 487-1969 1, 2, 3 American Lift Aids Beaumont 2310 Calder Ave Beaumont, TX 77702 (409) 832-3400 1,2,3 American Lift Aids, Inc. Tyler 2407 W Southwest Loop 323 Tyler, TX 75701 (903) 581-8844 1,2,3 Andy’s Mobility & Lift Services 1502 Santa Ursula Laredo, TX 78040 (956) 722-7371 1

Jan-Mar 2021

15

NMEDA DEALER MEMBERS Lift Aids Inc 1500 Westpark Way Euless, TX 76040 (817) 835-0035 1,2,3 MobilityWorks - Austin 239 Commercial Drive Buda, TX 78610 (512) 295-3800 1,3 MobilityWorks - Dallas 4150 Interstate 30 Mesquite, TX 75150 (972) 270-7114 1,3 MobilityWorks - Fort Worth 2110 N Beach Ft Worth, TX 76111 (866) 211-8267 1,3 MobilityWorks - San Antonio 6473 DeZavala Road San Antonio, TX 78249 (210) 697-8884 1,2,3 MobilityWorks - Selma 16262 IH 35 North Selma, TX 78154 (210) 718-0055 1,3 MobilityWorks - Waco 2700 Franklin Avenue Waco, TX 76710 (254) 754-2700 1 Open Road Mobility Amarillo 6669 Canyon Drive Amarillo, TX 79110 (806) 353-2747 1 Open Road Mobility Lubbock 7411 82nd Street Lubbock, TX 79424 (806) 771-5873 1,2,3,4 Texas Mobility Services, LLC dba Texas Adaptive Aids 701 Bearcat Road Unit B Aledo, TX 76087 (817) 394-3914 1,3 United Access - Austin 15301 Interstate 35 Ste A Pflugerville, TX 78660 (877) 501-8267 1,3

16

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

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

United Access - Dallas (North) 2109 Luna Rd Ste 200 Carrollton, TX 75006 (877) 501-8267 1,3

MobilityWorks - North Chesterfield 7450 Midlothian Turnpike North Chesterfield, VA 23225 (804) 220-0611 1,3

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

United Access - El Paso 8736 Gateway East Blvd Suite B El Paso, TX 79907 (877) 501-8267 1

Priority Honda Hampton dba Priority Mobility 4115 W Mercury Blvd.

Hampton, VA 23666 (757) 838-1252 1

UTAH

WASHINGTON

Access Mobility Vans 1995 E. Norse Ave. Cudahy, WI 53110 (414) 524-9823 1,2,3

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

Absolute Mobility Center 21704 87th Ave SE Woodinville, WA 98072 (425) 481-6546 1,3

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

Goldenwest Mobility 1815 E Francis Ave Spokane, WA 99208 (509) 484-3842 1,3

MobilityWorks - Stevens Point 2833 Stanley Street Stevens Point, WI 54481 (715) 997-8881 1,3

United Access - Dallas (East) 2704 Lawing Ln 300 Rowlett, TX 75088 (877) 501-8267 1,2,3

____________________________

____________________________

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

____________________________

VIRGINIA 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 Mobility Plus Inc of Virginia 763 Union Street Salem, VA 24153 (540) 389-3400 1,3 MobilityWorks - Alexandria 5751 General Washington Drive Alexandria, VA 22312 (234) 542-3022 1

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

____________________________

Kersey Mobility - Everett 7202 Evergreen Way Everett, WA 98203 (425) 353-6563 1,3 Kersey Mobility LLC Redmond 14640 NE 91st Street Suite A Redmond, WA 98052 (425) 406-8484 1 Kersey Mobility Systems Inc - Sumner 6015 160th Avenue East Sumner, WA 98390 (253) 863-4744 1,2,3 _____________________

WISCONSIN A & J Mobility - De Pere 1330 Mid Valley Drive De Pere, WI 54115 (920) 632-4882 1, 3 A & J Mobility - Eau Claire 2650 Prospect Drive Eau Claire, WI 54703 (715) 874-6630 1,3

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

MobilityWorks - Waukesha N8 W22195 Johnson Drive Ste 130 Waukesha, WI 53186 (888) 473-5402 1,3

____________________________

WYOMING Frontier Access & Mobility Systems, Inc. - Cheyenne 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 1,3 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 1,3

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

____________________________

____________________________

Silver Cross Automotive Inc. - Edmonton 14568-116 Ave. Edmonton, AB T5M 3E9 (844) 799-5464 1

ONTARIO

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Courtland Mobility 1355 Artisans Court Unit B Burlington, ON L7L 5Y2 (800) 354-8138 1,2,3

____________________________

Alliance Mobility Solutions - Kelowna 1075 McCurdy Road Kelowna, BC V1X 2P9 2364201400 1,3 Alliance Mobility Solutions - Richmond 12211 Vulcan Way #110 Richmond, BC V6V 1J7 (604) 370-7004 1, 3 Island Mediquip Ltd Nanaimo 2258 Dorman Road Nanaimo, BC V9Z 6R4 (250) 824-0390 1 Island Mediquip Ltd Victoria 750 Enterprise Crescent Victoria, BC V8Z 6R4 (250) 634-1895 1 Mahadev Motors LTD 2110-21000 West Minister Hwy Richmond, BC V6V-2S9 (778) 896-2644 1 Medichair Northern BC 849 2nd Avenue Prince George, BC V2L 3A6 (250) 562-8280 1

Conval-Aid/Liftability 2600 Lancaster Road Ottawa, ON K1B 4Z4 (613) 738-2721 1

Goldline Mobility & Conversions 762 Industrial Road London, ON N5V 3N7 (519) 453-0480 1,2,3

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 - Levis 107-829 J-Ambroise Craig Levis, QC G7A 2N2 (866) 562-2555 1 Eureka Solutions - Longueuil 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 - Sherbrooke 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. - Ottowa 5300 Canotek Road Unit 42 Ottawa, ON K1J 1A4 (613) 290-5279 1

SASKATCHEWAN

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

____________________________

Jan-Mar 2021

17

CEO’S MESSAGE

Not Your “Average” Price Survey

By Danny Langfield NMEDA CEO

O

n March 6, 2020, NMEDA

As the saying goes, I’d rather be lucky

determine it can be done safely, so no

concluded our Annual

than good—and make no mistake,

promises, time will tell…but it sure is

Conference & Expo with the

we may have gotten very lucky. This

an exciting prospect.

traditional awards banquet and Hall

is the one time in NMEDA’s history

of Fame inductions.

when our annual conferences will be

Six days later, the World Health

18 months apart instead of 12, and it

Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, and the world essentially ground to a halt.

Here we are nearly a year later, and for the vast majority of us, the 2020 NMEDA event was our last large group gathering experience. As vaccinations become more readily available and we see light at the end of this very, very long tunnel, can we start to look forward—maybe, just a little bit?—to September and our co-located conference with ADED? Is it possible that we all may be able to see each other again, in person, in Columbus?

just happens to be the exact period when a pandemic strikes? The gates slammed down immediately after the

“

completion of our 2020 conference,

Ok, on to my assigned topic, the NMEDA Average Price Survey. As most of you are aware, every two years the association surveys its dealer members to determine the prevailing price of auto adaptive

Specifically, the VA will be relying on NMEDA’s Average Price Survey to establish the department’s payment schedule for adaptive equipment.”

and now they may be opening back

equipment. This year, however, will be

up just in time for us to get everyone

different. Here’s why.

back together for the 2021 show.

Obviously, we will only meet in person if both organizations’ leadership

As part of the long-delayed rulemaking necessary to implement the Veterans Mobility Safety Act (VMSA), the VA released a proposed rule in March 2020 which, among other things, referenced the NMEDA Average Price Survey. Specifically, the VA will be relying on NMEDA’s Average Price Survey to establish the department’s payment schedule for adaptive equipment. In the interest of ensuring that VA is provided with the most comprehensive, detailed, and accurate pricing information, we have refreshed the survey’s equipment categories and terminology to reflect the current technical and equipment

18

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

landscape of our industry. You can

presentation of results. This means

actionable business intelligence on

expect the new and improved survey

dealers will eventually be able to log

industry data for our members—

to hit your inboxes in February.

into the system and compare their

something the auto mobility industry

I imagine it could go without

responses to the 25th percentile,

has been sorely lacking.

median, and 75th percentile of other

saying (but I’ll say it anyway)…this

So, plenty going on in the new year!

year’s Average Price Survey carries

respondents.

substantially more weight than in

In related news, the beta testing of

and accurately to the survey…because

years past.

the new QAPx system, designed for

this year’s Average Price Survey will

To that end, we will be asking every

the digital administration of QAP,

be anything but average.

member location to complete the

to come on QAPx, of course, but

survey. I apologize in advance for any persistence on our part that may border on annoying; but we simply HAVE to have this data, and it has to be right.

NMEDA has contracted with Dynamic Benchmarking to provide services related to the anonymized collection of this data as well as a web-based

will begin in Q1 of 2021. Much more

Please be sure to respond promptly

---

down the road we hope to be able to export the data collected in QAPx and DocuTrack (currently collected on the Label Reporting Form) and make it available for similar benchmarking analytics.

In other words, NMEDA is working toward providing meaningful,

Get Social with NMEDA

Oct–Dec 2020

19

INDUSTRY ADVISOR

Ejection Mitigation Exemption for Modifiers Harry Baergen was previously the Regulation Enforcement Officer for

By Harry Baergen – Autoregs Consulting NMEDA CRP COORDINATOR

Transport Canada. Currently, he acts as the Compliance Review Program (CRP) Coordinator for NMEDA.

Volume 23 Issue 3. To briefly recap

OEMs at the time the phase-in began

the 2016 article, NHTSA began

immediately posed an obstruction

If you have any questions about the

phasing in FMVSS 226 on September

to the adaptive vehicle industry,

contents of this article, or about

01, 2013 with a final effective date,

especially to those modifiers who

the NMEDA CRP, contact Harry

even for adaptive vehicles, of

were installing transfer seat bases

Baergen at 778.888.2210.

September 01, 2018. The purpose of

in smaller vehicles and changing

the standard is to reduce ejection of

the seat, seat size, seat positioning

occupants through side windows in

and restraint system. Therefore,

rollover crashes. FMVSS 226 applies

in response to a NMEDA member

to the first three rows of seats in

petition and comments from NMEDA,

vehicles with a GVWR of 4536 Kg

NHTSA added FMVSS 226 “Ejection

(10,000 lbs.) or less.

Mitigation” to the exemptions under

The ejection mitigation system is

CFR Part 595.7, which already

W

ith the increasing number of after retail sale modifications to high

roof vans there is also an increasing concern among NMEDA members about federal motor vehicle safety standard (FMVSS) 226 “Ejection Mitigation” (curtain airbags).

Under United States and Canadian federal law, alterers of new vehicles must ensure that any changes to a vehicle comply with (F/CMVSS), but distinctively under U.S. federal law, modifiers of titled (used) vehicles must ensure that their modifications do not make inoperative any federal standard, including FMVSS 226.

Although, modifiers of used vehicles are eligible for certain exemptions under U.S. CFR Part 595.7, including FMVSS 226, it must be noted that the FMVSS 226 exemption is not a blanket exemption—it is very specific.

The background to the U.S. and Canadian FMVSS 226 is covered in the Circuit Breaker, Summer 2016 /

20

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

tested by propelling an impactor from inside a test vehicle toward the

included an exemption from FMVSS 214 side airbags. The rational for

“

exempting FMVSS 226 being that

the airbag and/or special glazing. The

disabling the FMVSS 214 side airbag

OEMs can also meet the requirements

could also disable the FMVSS 226

of the standard by increasing the size

ejection mitigation airbag(s).

window without protruding through

NHTSA was very specific in adding the FMVSS 226 exemption in that it only applies to the side of the vehicle where a seat must be changed to accommodate a person with a disability.”

of existing F/CMVSS 214 side airbags and by making them deploy and stay deployed longer in a rollover as well as in a side impact. However, these life-saving airbags installed by the

The NHTSA granted the exemption from FMVSS 226 “Ejection Mitigation” to modifiers effective September 08, 2014 to cover any phase-in vehicle that may already be equipped with

curtain airbags. Although, NHTSA was

have to install curtain airbags and/or

modifiers often have to deal with

very specific in adding the FMVSS 226

special glazing. Replacing the glazing

adaptations on existing vehicles

exemption in that it only applies to

will likely be the preference, because

already purchased by the end user.

the side of the vehicle where a seat

airbag installation would require

However, for modifiers, in the case

must be changed to accommodate

an expensive test. Albeit, currently,

of only changing an existing seating

a person with a disability. A modifier

special glazing that meets FMVSS

position to accommodate a person

may NOT make inoperative the side

226 can only be obtained through

with a disability the rule is relatively

curtain airbag on the opposite side

the OEM parts supply system and

straight forward to allow the disabling

of the vehicle, even if both sides

apparently the cost of OEM compliant

of curtain airbags. The only anomaly

are linked. In that case, it may be necessary to shunt one side.

By the time the FMVSS 226 phase-in affected larger vehicles the exemption was well in effect. Today, where a customer brings a vehicle, such as a Dodge Promaster or a Ford Transit, to a modifier as a window van, the

“

Another important thing to note in the case of adding seats is that additional seating positions may change the vehicle’s classification from “truck” to “MPV.”

curtain airbags may already be installed by the OEM in the first three rows of seating—depending on the model year of the vehicle. Therefore, if the modifier changes any of the seating positions to accommodate a person with a disability on one or both sides of the vehicle and the curtain airbags are a hindrance, the modifier is allowed to disable or remove the curtain airbag(s) on the affected side(s). In any case, care should also be taken to ensure that the airbag tell-tales are still properly functioning after modifications.

However, some of these vehicles are sold as cargo vans with only the front seats and are certified as “truck” even if equipped with windows. This means that where a modifier adds additional seats within the stipulated area adjacent to a window, the modifier will also have to address additional certification for FMVSS 226. The modifier will do this by first determining whether the vehicle is already equipped with curtain airbags or advanced glazing at the applicable windows. If not, the modifier will

windows far exceeds the cost of

is that in the final rule to issue

regular non-compliant windows—but

exemption to modifiers for FMVSS

does not exceed the cost of testing.

226, NHTSA, in its effort to balance

The modifier should take this cost

safety with mobility, was very specific

into consideration with the customer

in that the exemption only applies

before modifying a vehicle by adding

to the side(s) of the vehicle being

seating positions that require the

modified for a person with a physical

installation of advanced glazing.

disability. The NHTSA also believes

In a related scenario, where a customer brings a vehicle to a modifier as a cargo van without second or third row side windows or seats and asks the modifier to add windows and seats, the modifier will have to install curtain airbags and/

that it is not insurmountable to leave the other side in compliance. However, in the same rulemaking document, NHTSA suggests that the modifier contact the OEM with any technical questions about the curtain airbag system.

or special glazing in the second and

Of course, NMEDA members may also

third row of added seating. Another

contact NMEDA with any questions

important thing to note in the case of

about F/CMVSS 226 “Ejection

adding seats is that additional seating

Mitigation” and the exemption for

positions may change the vehicle’s

modifiers.

classification from “truck” to “MPV.”

---

This is something the modifier will also have to deal with (as well as seat and seat belt anchorage test reports ideally provided by the component supplier).

Unlike alterers, who have control over specifying new vehicles,

Jan-Mar 2021

21

MEMBER NOTICE

Board Election Results

T

hank you to all members who voted in the 2021 NMEDA Board Elections. In addition to the board elections, proposed changes to the bylaws were presented and all modifications were approved. Included in these modifications was the specification that newly appointed board

members will be sworn-in at the March board meeting, no longer installing new board members at the annual conference.

NMEDA Board of Directors Re-Elected: Vice President: Sam Cook, Superior Van & Mobility Secretary: Eric Mansfield, MobilityWorks Rep. at Large 1: Catherine Martin, Ilderton Conversions Rep. at Large 2: Dennis Charvat, Total Mobility Services Non-Structural Equipment Manufacturer Rep.: Gina Lewis, Adapt-Solutions

Newly Elected: Allied Health Professional: Eva Richardville, Therapeutic Mobility Services, Inc.

Canadian Board of Directors Re-Elected: Vice President: Tamalea Stone, The Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation Centre Secretary: Pierre Côté, Savaria Vehicle Group

Newly Elected: Director at Large: Shelley Pattenden, Silver Cross Automotive

22

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

Another product advancement from the company that introduced retractors & revolutionized the mobility industry.

NEW Generation of Protektor Series, Wheelchair Securement.

SPRING 2021

AMF-Bruns of America 877-506-3770 www.amfbrunsamerica.com est 1958

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

New CEO for United Spinal United Spinal Association announced Vincenzo (Enzo) Piscopo, an experienced professional in diversity, inclusion and social causes, was appointed president and CEO by the organization’s board of directors.

Piscopo began his tenure as United Spinal’s president and CEO on November 16, 2020 replacing James Weisman, who is retiring after 40 years of service to the disability community as an advocate for disability rights and accessible transportation.

Personal Mobility Honored by Illinois Department of Human Services Gerry Davis, Owner - Personal Mobility, recently shared that the NMEDA member dealership was chosen by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services to receive the “Extra Mile Award.” This award is presented to businesses that go “above and beyond in their work for persons with disabilities.”

Gerry shared the news via LinkedIn accompanied by a photo depicting “...four generations of our family owned company.”

BraunAbility Announces New WAV BraunAbility has introduced its newest wheelchair accessible vehicle—the BraunAbility Chevrolet Traverse. According to a recent press release, the vehicle boasts more interior cabin space than many wheelchair accessible minivans and an extra-wide ramp and doorway to accommodate even the largest power wheelchairs.

Superior interior maneuverability plus other comfort features earned the BraunAbility Traverse the 2020 Mobility Product Award from Mobility Management.

VMI Shares New “ParkSmart” WAV Alert Feature VMI recently announced an exciting, innovative new parking feature.

According to a press release, ParkSmart is a built-in sensor that is easily activated by the vehicle owner as needed. When the sensor is switched on, it goes to work within 30 seconds after the doors are shut, scanning for objects placed within eight feet of the parked accessible vehicle. If an obstruction is detected, a friendly audible warning sounds, stating “Excuse me! You’re blocking entry to this wheelchair accessible vehicle.

Could you please move the vehicle or object so the owner can access their vehicle? Thank you so much!” This friendly alert system will repeat three times and has multiple measures to enable battery conservation, as well as to avoid activating the alert when the vehicle is in drive mode.

Jan-Mar 2021

 

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”

Please Roll Back System Ready Service Required

“PLEASE TURN OFF IGNITION TO UNLOCK CHAIR”

*OPTIONAL FEATURES

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

•

NMEDA

Advocating Automotive Mobility for Your Clients

• Offered online, for your convenience •

C

.15 CEU

Contact H

FOR ALL ATTENDEES

Sign Up Online At www.NMEDA.org/CEU

For more information, contact NMEDA at Learning@nmeda.org or 813.264.2697.

Jan-Mar 2021

27

By Katie McDonald NMEDA DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & SOCIAL “If you go through it, you grow through it.”

2020 certainly challenged us on personal and professional levels in ways we never expected. And just because the year is over, doesn’t mean we’re through it all. I’m continually impressed by our members, and your efforts and outlook through these trying times was no different. Problem solving/thinking outside the box—however you want to say it—is a cornerstone to the mobility industry, and I think that mindset is serving us well as we navigate these unprecedented times. As with any challenge, it is important to look back and learn from it. What worked? What didn’t? How are we better, and what can we do to be better prepared for future challenges? 2020 provided many opportunities for learning and growth so we thought we’d turn to our members to reflect on the last year or so and project a bit on the future.

We posed the following questions to capture a look back and a look ahead from the folks who know the industry best...

QUESTION 1:

QUESTION 2:

A LOOK BACK: As you look back on 2020,

A LOOK AHEAD: Looking ahead to better

what was your most valuable business

times, what are your thoughts on the auto

takeaway from the pandemic experience?

mobility industry’s prospects for 2021?

28

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

Gina Lewis

John Beering

NMEDA Industry Member

NMEDA Dealer Member

A LOOK BACK: Business is no longer

A LOOK BACK: Several 2020

the same. A handshake has taken on

takeaways. It sounds cliché to say it,

a whole new significance. Meeting

but nothing is more important than

face-to-face to close a deal is no longer

preserving cash when the market turns

make or break. Technology has brought

negative quickly. We quickly adapted

CEO, Adapt-Solutions

President, United Access

a new dimension to our everyday communication. As

to our customers to meet them where they were. In

we moved through these uncertain times, we have

this market, it was also clear to see the importance

been forced to operate in a more lean fashion, be more

of maintaining focus on marketing. We focused on

productive with less, adapt rapidly to economic, supply,

maintaining and building our culture, communicating

and regulation changes. There is a saying: What doesn’t

with our employees and engaging with them on a

kill you makes you stronger. We move forward stronger,

personal level. We also shifted and slimmed priorities to

more productive and ready for the next challenge. Bring

ensure focus on only those things that mattered most.

it on!

A LOOK AHEAD: I think the prospects for 2021 are

A LOOK AHEAD: The future is bright. How bright? Time

better than 2020, but will return slowly as we work

will tell. There is still a lot of uncertainty floating, will the

through what I hope is the end of the virus. I expect

vaccine resolve the pandemic; will there be a relapse;

things won’t really normalize until Q2 or Q3. Longer

etc. However, people are eager to get out, be active, be

term, the future is bright and the industry will be

with their families, be social, and travel again. This leads

stronger through this crisis.

me to believe that the auto mobility industry has the potential to be bigger and better than it was pre-COVID.

Eva Richardville

President/CEO, Therapeutic Mobility Services, Inc. NMEDA Allied Health Professional Member A LOOK BACK: As a business owner, 2020 has challenged me to think outside the box and find creative ways to provide driver rehab services and support vehicle modifications to ensure that we continue to protect staff and our most vulnerable clients. Being flexible and remaining calm is key to success in adjusting to the frequently changing demands in the areas that we serve.

A LOOK AHEAD: Despite all of the uncertainty of 2020, I believe that 2021 will be a prosperous year for the industry. After nearly nine months of stay-at-home, work from home, and fear of going out in public, individuals are clearly eager to get past the constraints of the pandemic and move on. The hunger for “normal” and a strong desire to return to a life fully engaged in their

“The hunger for ‘normal’ and a strong desire to return to a life fully engaged in their communities will drive the industry in 2021.”

-Eva Richardville

communities will drive the industry in 2021.

Jan-Mar 2021

29

“An aging population and an increasingly ambitious disability population will continue demand for increased independence.”

-Raj Pagadala

Mark Shaughnessy CEO, VMI

NMEDA Industry Member A LOOK BACK: Throughout the pandemic, VMI has remained dedicated to serving dealers and customers. While many business and manufacturing facilities had to close their doors, VMI took action to keep the factory running while simultaneously keeping our associates safe. This resulted in the ability to continuously support our dealers with the inventory that they needed to run their business and continue to serve the end user.

We’ve learned that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, any challenge can be overcome when a passionate team comes together, dedicated to serving those who depend on them.

A LOOK AHEAD: The industry outlook remains bright.

The pandemic has created pent-up demand that

Raj Pagadala

mobility dealers will have an opportunity to capture as life begins to return to some level of normalcy. We

Assistive Technology Team Lead, Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency

continue to fulfill consumer needs with innovative

NMEDA Government/Education/ Non-Profit Member

in turn empowers our dealers to capture much of the

features such as VMI’s recently released and patented ParkSmart™ ramp obstruction alarm system, which pent-up demand and differentiate their products from anything else that’s available today.

A LOOK BACK: The pandemic challenged us to reexamine our service delivery model and forced us to find innovative ways to serve clients. One silver lining about the timing of the pandemic was that it happened at a time when technology to provide remote services became mainstream. Business apps such as Zoom and Teams have allowed businesses to remain nimble. Additionally, free apps such as FaceTime and WhatsApp have made remote services technology accessible to clients. Had the pandemic occurred a decade earlier, the challenges of service delivery would have been far more challenging.

A LOOK AHEAD: Innovation has been the heartbeat of the auto mobility industry. In general, advances in the automobile industry have brought new challenges.

An aging population and an increasingly ambitious disability population will continue demand for increased independence. The auto mobility industry has always risen to past challenges and I expect the track record to remain spotless. The change in the political landscape in the United States will also require renewed efforts for the auto mobility industry to impact positive change.

Charlie Lincoln Tempe Mobility

NMEDA Industry Member A LOOK BACK: The most important takeaway reinforced my belief in not becoming too reliant on component suppliers and working strictly with a “just in time” supply chain. In spite of the fact many of our suppliers were closed or running limited staff and reduced capacity, we were able to maintain a consistent production flow throughout the pandemic as a result of inventorying ample material to weather supply chain interruption.

A LOOK AHEAD: I believe that in Q2 through the remainder of 2021 the auto mobility industry will see a surge in vehicle sales resulting in pent-up demand to get out and travel. With ongoing concerns and restrictions in air travel, cruise industry, lodging etc, moving forward I feel that mid- and full-size mobility platforms will see an increase in popularity to meet the passenger and cargo demands of our traveling clienteles.

30

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

Patrick DeNobrega

Mario Sanchez

NMEDA Industry Member

NMEDA Industry Member

VP Account Executive, PSA Insurance & Financial Services

Regional Sales Manager, Q’STRAINT/SURE-LOK A LOOK BACK: In an industry that

A LOOK BACK: My biggest takeaway

deals with amazing individuals who

from the Pandemic was realizing that

have adapted to change and work

we complicate a lot of what we do each and every

so hard to overcome adversity, I see

day. With the initial ‘shut downs’ in March and April,

a lot of similarities on our side of things. I have seen

a lot of folks had more time on our hands. This lead

many structural changes, new technological advances

to more (better) conversations between businesses

in the way we do business, and repurposing of different

as we started to pick up the phone again instead of

things, whether it be programs, employees or products.

emails, texts, etc. I found that we were able to come to

All of this, while maintaining uninterrupted service to

solutions much quicker than all of the back and forth we

the customer and staying healthy. My biggest takeaway

became accustomed to. Texts, emails, etc. are still good

from this experience has been customer-focus. I have

for sharing info quickly, however phone conversations,

learned why they consider our industry essential and it

virtual meetings, etc. allowed us to get to bottom of

has strengthened my belief in the products and services

things in addition to putting a ‘personal’ aspect back

we all provide. It has surely reaffirmed my personal

into our business negotiations and discussions.

mission to be as effective as possible no matter what

A LOOK AHEAD: I feel the additional level of customer

obstacles we might face now and in the future.

service that the dealers put forth with their customer’s

A LOOK AHEAD: I as well as anyone reading this is

was amazing. For example, dealers were going to

probably suffering from cabin fever to some extent.

customers homes to pick up their vehicle in order to

While understanding the importance of adhering to the

perform service or repair work or doing the service or

local health safety guidelines, I must admit that I just

repairs right there on the spot. Given the demographic

want to get out and travel, visit my customers, friends,

of the clientele that most mobility dealers serve, this

and family (not necessarily in that order). I have held off

was an amazing benefit that was offered. I am not sure

on a few purchases and home renovation projects and

if this will be the ‘new normal’ for service and repair

feel like many others have done the same. We are all just

work, but I know this is something traditional new

waiting until it is safe to head back out into the world.

and used car dealers typically don’t offer. Solidifying

Now that we see the light at the end of the tunnel, in my

customer relationships will ensure the status and

opinion, there will be an influx of customers needing our

longevity of this Industry as we move forward!

products and services who were just putting it off until a later date. I do not think it will come back 100% like a light switch, but gradually over time. It will be more like when you attempt your first oil change on your own and drive slowly at first in case you forgot to tighten something correctly, then realizing you should have left it to the professionals. I digress however I do have very positive expectations for 2021.

“Solidifying customer relationships will ensure the status and longevity of this industry as we move forward!”

-Patrick DeNobrega Jan-Mar 2021

31

Greg Kiser

Peter Ruprecht

NMEDA Industry Member

NMEDA Dealer Member

A LOOK BACK: Our most valuable take

A LOOK BACK: Looking back on

away is just how quickly the world and

the shut down starting in March, we

our business environment can change.

were lucky enough to be deemed

We can expect the pace of change

essential business but due to the lack

VP Consumer Sales, BraunAbility

President, Drive-Master, Co.

to continue in the broader transportation sector and

of business, we had to have a six-person layoff. We

in mobility as well. Our ability and the ability of our

did apply and received the PPP money which was a

dealers to embrace change and adapt quickly is a must

Godsend that allowed us to pay some needed bills. As

for all businesses going forward. Relationships are vital

time went by we were bringing back some employees,

to our success and critical when faced with economic

but not all of them, and we had a couple on call

conditions we faced in 2020. Together we must rise

to come in when needed and they dealt with their

above and work to solve the challenges we will face as

unemployment as needed, the sales dropped and the

we continue to make a difference and change lives.

service dropped by 50%, so we are eeking our way

A LOOK AHEAD: We are optimistic that we will

back, but it’s slow to come.

continue to see the industry continue on a path toward

A LOOK AHEAD: Looking forward to 2021, I am

recovery. We expect a slow start to the year and

skeptical as to the normal resumption of our business,

recovery to accelerate as we move through Q2 and

I think it will take at least six months to return to some

into Q3 depending on the rollout of the vaccine. The

kind of normalcy and bring us back to pre-COVID

development and launch of new products in conjunction

business conditions! We will persevere and continue to

with the recovery offers optimism for the industry in

modify the business and the organization as needed.

2021. Together, with our dealer partners, we are ready to

---

meet the needs of our customers.

Gerry Davis

Owner, Personal Mobility

NEMDA Dealer Member A LOOK BACK: Probably the most notable things I noticed, was the difference in how our customers responded to the outbreak. Some folks never gave it more than conversation. Other folks were totally consumed with it to the extent beyond fear. And there was a little bit of everything in between. Pretty much the way our customers react to their purchasing habits. We are all different.

A LOOK AHEAD: We are definitely changing the way we do business. We have been hit similarly to what the Auto Industry faced 15 years ago. We are faced with more online and phone sales. People think you can buy wheelchair vans from Amazon. Some of them you probably could. Desperate people do desperate things.

At this point I am more concerned with the direction of our elected officials than the virus.

32

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

“Together we must rise above and work to solve the challenges we will face as we continue to make a difference and change lives.”

-Greg Kiser

MEMBER NOTICE

Volunteer for a Committee Committees are essential to advancing the mission and goals of NMEDA. Participation on a committee gives you the opportunity to be a part of the force that drives the association forward.

We need your voice in the ongoing development of the programs and policies of your association.

If you would like to serve on a committee, please complete the information below (or visit www.NMEDA. org/JoinCommittee) and return it to NMEDA by March 15, 2021. Committee service is open to all categories of membership. Committees meet via teleconference on a monthly or quarterly basis. We aim to limit each committee to eight members. We will do our best to accommodate your preference.

Listed below are the NMEDA Committees. Please mark the committee that interests you.

Any committee as needed

Quality Assurance Program

Bylaws

Manufacturers QAP

Conference

Mediation

Government Relations

Finance

Education & Training

Compliance Review Program

Guidelines Industry and Public Relations

Canadian Committees

Hall of Fame

Ad Hoc as Needed

NOTE: If the committee you have selected is full, will you serve on another committee? ____Yes ____No

Name ____________________________________________________________________ Business Name ____________________________________________________________ Email _____________________________________________________________________ Mobile Phone ( ____ ) _____________________

Please return this form to NMEDA by March 15, 2021.

Email: info@nmeda.org Questions? 813.264.2697 Jan-Mar 2021

GUEST FEATURE

An Often Overlooked Problem

By Chris Woods SENIOR PARTNER, FORTRESS PARTNERS INSURANCE AGENCY

A

few months ago during a QAP committee meeting, we started a conversation

about the physical damage value of

When and how is your customer’s vehicle covered for physical damage?

Often I hear from the dealership:

chose a limit of only $50,000 because he thought nothing would happen to more than one vehicle.

As your customer is not receiving

your customer’s vehicles. It became

“I’m sure it is covered. The body

apparent that we should discuss this

any calls back from Friendly’s Body

shop has an insurance policy.”

Shop, it has become apparent to

“Great, how do you know?”

your customer that Friendly’s does

in more detail. NMEDA and the QAP have done a great job in helping dealerships set up adequate limits and risk management procedures to protect the dealers in the event

“Well, I don’t…but they are in business and they have coverage, I’m sure.”

of liability claims that can cripple a

Here is the scenario for today: Mr.

business, but I want to talk about

Q brings his Caravan back to you

the physical damage coverage side.

to have some updates done to his

As the typical physical damage

conversion. At that time you discuss

value of a singular vehicle usually

the minor fender damage he has

ranges anywhere from $10,000 to

agreed to have repaired. You don’t

$80,000, we realize these losses

have the capabilities to do the

are not catastrophic, but still painful

vehicle body work so you send the

no matter how large or small your

vehicle over to Friendly’s Body Shop,

business.

which you have done numerous

I could expand on many different

times before. While sitting overnight

options and claim scenarios. All very exciting stuff. But I want to make each dealer aware of a potential coverage gap that could leave a bad

at Friendly’s, lightning strikes the building causing a fire. Mr. Q’s van, along with three other vehicles belonging to customers of Friendly’s,

impression in your customer’s mind.

are all destroyed.

Do you know how and when your

You are notified the next day and you

customer’s vehicles are covered when

in turn call your customer. Not a great

being worked on at another place of

day, but you “know” that Friendly’s

business? I’m going to take the next

has insurance and this should be

few minutes to explain and provide a

covered with no problems. Well, that

little guidance on what your exposure

is where this scenario goes downhill

is and how to best protect yourself

fast. Friendly’s garage insurance

and your customer.

policy has GarageKeepers coverage for customer vehicles on his premises, but Friendly’s was saving money and

34

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

not have adequate GarageKeepers coverage to provide him money for his converted van. So Mr. Q presses on you to reimburse him for the van.

You then submit the claim to your insurance carrier. Your claim adjuster notifies you that the van was not in your care, custody, or control when it was destroyed and therefore is not covered by your policy. You now must notify Mr. Q that he has to make a claim on his own auto insurance policy, which makes him very irate and you lose a customer.

How quickly this easy little project and vehicle repair became a major pain and a potential financial loss.

All this can and should be avoided with a few smart risk management techniques.

Two Quick Steps for Each Business Tending to Your Customer’s Vehicles Step One: Always—each year—collect a current certificate of insurance from businesses that do work for you. Ask to be listed as a certificate holder.

For this scenario, the certificate of insurance shows that Friendly’s

has GarageKeepers coverage and lists the limit. This is where a little knowledge will go a long way. While reviewing the certificate, you see that they only have a limit of $50,000 for GarageKeepers. You know that Friendly’s lot is full of vehicles every day. Is $50,000 enough to cover your customer’s vehicle plus all the others?

Step Two: Know the difference in GarageKeepers coverage types. This is important.

There are three options of coverage for GarageKeepers. They are Direct Primary, Direct Excess, and Legal Liability. The first option, Direct

Knowing the difference of these three

vehicle physical damage loss and

choices and what coverage Friendly’s

protect your customers. I’ve seen

has is very important. If Direct Primary

too many times when the customer’s

is not provided and/or Friendly’s

vehicle is only covered on their own

Garagekeepers limit is too low, your

insurance policy and this can make for

customer may have to turn a claim

an angry customer. Also, remember

into their own insurance agent. Even

to verify your own insurance policy.

worse, if your customer does not

If you are a dealership and have

carrier will pay for damages to

have physical damage coverage on

GarageKeepers coverage, which

a customer’s auto while in the

their own insurance policy...they may

option is your insurance policy

policyholder’s care, custody,

file a suit against your business or

providing? Is your own limit high

or control regardless if the

Friendly’s.

enough?

Primary, is the most expensive and provides the best coverage. Direct Excess and Legal Liability are more restrictive and subsequently less expensive. Here is a brief summary of all three: 1. Direct Primary: The insurance

policyholder is legally liable.

This option will provide the best

Trust But Verify

protection for your customer.

The certificate of insurance you

2. Direct Excess: The insurance carrier will only pay for damages in excess of any amount collectible under the vehicle owner’s policy if the policyholder cannot be held legally liable.

3. Legal Liability: The insurance

collected from Friendly’s won’t necessarily show if the policy is written on a Direct Primary, Direct Excess, or Legal Liability basis, but don’t you think a $50,000 van is worth a phone call to Friendly’s insurance agent? Trust but verify by calling Friendly’s insurance agent.

carrier will only pay for damages

This is a necessary practice to follow

to a customer’s auto while in the

because unfortunately there are no

policyholder’s care, custody, or

insurance endorsements available to

control in which the policyholder

cover your customer’s vehicles while

is legally liable for the damages.

at another place of business.

Policyholder negligence is an example of legal liability, such as causing a fire to the customer’s vehicle while welding on it.

What I wish for you to learn from this article is a simple way to better protect your dealership’s exposures in an often overlooked event and to help keep your customers from not experiencing an unexpected claim to their own insurance policy. Just remember to collect a copy of the certificate of insurance from those with whom you do business. It may seem obvious that they have coverage, but always verify. This helps you to create a better experience for both you and your customers.

---

Take the steps. Protect yourself better financially in the event of a singular

Jan-Mar 2021

35

QAP STRAIGHT TALK

That’s A Wrap

by Chuck Hardy NMEDA DIRECTOR OF QUALITY & COMPLIANCE

W

hile most people want

While we hope to return to on-site

a list of all non-member conversion

to forget 2020 ever

auditing in 2021, one thing is for sure,

companies and any of their WAVs that

happened, myself

remote auditing is here to stay.

have been verified.

New QAP Rule for Vehicle Conversions and New Vehicle Safety Review Posting Page

Complete Overhaul of the QAP Rules

For years dealers complained about

a thorough review of the QAP Rules

the array of WAV conversions on the

document looking for ways to

marketplace that lacked available

streamline. The effort took the good

crash test data. There was no good

part of the year to complete. Staff met

system in place for conversions made

at least once a month to go over every

by non-NMEDA members to identify

single section—every single word—in

what ones were crash-tested and

the QAP Rules and recommended

what ones were not. Even scarier

changes to clarify the rule to be in

was that nothing prevented dealers

concert with how the rule is applied

included, I don’t want to lose sight of some really amazing things that happened this past year for our association and specifically QAP. It might sound odd, but with the staff working from home for the most part, it allowed us to focus on some really important items that I am happy to say were a great success. For this article, I would like to wrap up this past year and go over some of the key improvements to the QAP and a little about what’s coming in 2021. In no specific order, here we go!

New QAP Audit Program Completes its First Cycle In 2020 we completed our first cycle with the new audit program. I can tell from the feedback I have been receiving from our dealers that the new process has been a success.

Dealers are telling me that they are learning more from these audits than

“

from selling potentially non-FMVSS

we are on the right track. The audit

compliant conversions to customers.

should be a learning experience for

That all changed when the Regulatory

the dealer. In 2020, about 85% of all

Compliance requirement for the QAP

audits were performed remotely, and

Rules was put in force on July 1, 2020

while remote auditing was required

and the NMEDA website was updated

to be put in place due to the COVID

with the new posting page. After

concerns, most dealers found that

that time, all new conversions sold by

it was highly effective. Many dealers

dealers had to be posted by NMEDA.

were surprised at how much could

The new posting page shows all WAVs

actually be accomplished remotely.

from NMEDA members, as well as

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

in real life. Trust me when I say this

Staff met at least once a month to go over every single section, every single word in the QAP Rules and recommended changes to clarify the rule to be in concert with how the rule is applied in real life.”

they have in the past and that means

36

By the end of 2020 staff completed

was a very thorough review process.

When staff had completed this work, the proposed changes were taken through a special task force, then QAP committee, and ultimately board of directors for approval. The new Rules were released to membership in January 2021. Most of the changes were non-substantive and were done to simplify the document to make it

QAPx is a cloud-based application

will include revised QAP training

easier to read, while other changes

that dealers will use for processing

modules and additional information

include removing process notes and

QAP documentation. QAPx will

on compliance postings. You will also

anything that were not actual rules.

handle processing of QAP documents

find that the QAP Rules will be found

like Final Inspection, Delivery, Make

in a simplified index format, where the

Inoperative, Weight Analysis, and the

rules can be reviewed and navigated

Label Reporting Form. Once you’re

using hyperlinks. Hey, it may have

The latest revision of the Guidelines

up and running on QAPx, you will

taken us too long to get up with

has several key improvements. Section

no longer need to submit monthly

current technology, but we are getting

1 (Make Inoperative) was rewritten

label logs or reports. QAPx will also

there and we hope you will appreciate

to be more concise and to maintain

improve the efficiency of the annual

the new functionality and usefulness

accuracy with recent NHTSA rules

audit. The audit firm will have access

of our revised website.

changes. Section 16 (Hand Controls)

to all the label reporting forms and required QAP documents and will no

So that my friends is a wrap on 2020,

was updated to include guidelines for the newer Hybrid style hand controls.

longer need dealer involvement to

Section 14 (Structural Modifications)

conduct the initial ‘part one’ of the

replaced what was called “Lowered

audit. That means that the only time

Floors” and now is a section that

needed from the dealer for the audit

defines and provides guidelines for

will be for the part two interview

structural modifications performed

process and review of any action

by dealers. And finally, the Appendix

items. We are really excited to help

C (Definitions and Terminology)

our dealers process QAP documents

was updated to include seven new

more efficiently and we know once

definitions.

you see and use QAPx, you will be

And last but not least...

2021 QAP Guidelines Updates

In summary, 2020 was quite a year for us to get a lot accomplished from a structural and procedural standpoint, and now we look ahead to this current year and what’s coming down the pike. Here are a few things you can look forward to in 2021...

QAPx Rollout The long-awaited revision to QAP Express is just about finished and is coming in 2021. For anyone who doesn’t know what I am talking about,

thankful too. Expect to hear more about the QAPx rollout as the year unfolds and for anyone currently using the ‘Docutrack’ system, don’t worry, that system is endorsed to process QAP and you will not be required to do anything differently.

New Website with Expanded Features As you are probably aware, the new website was rolled out in late 2020.

In 2021 we will continue to make

and some insight to what’s coming in 2021. You know our whole conference has changed as we co-locate with ADED, and with all the news about the COVID vaccines and possible herd immunity I am really hoping we can meet again in person this September at the conference. I know I am not alone in saying that we all miss seeing you face-to-face and hope that day is coming soon! Thank you for your patience over this past year, thank you for sticking with us on remote auditing, and thank you for doing the work you do for the public and for people with disabilities that rely on you to help them with mobility solutions. This is the best job I have ever had and it’s because I work for people like you that put it all on the line to help others. Thank you and see you all soon!

---

improvements to the website that

Jan-Mar 2021

37

QAP DASHBOARD

QAP DASHBOARD AVERAGE FINDINGS PER AUDIT January 2020–December 2020

1.8 1.6 1.4 1.2 1 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

TOP 5 AUDIT FINDINGS January 2020–December 2020 NCT Missing/Expired

46

Calibration Overdue

30

QC Manual Needs Update

30

QAP Contact Training Incomplete

7

Manufacturer Training Missing/Expired

7

AUDIT FINDING SEVERITY January 2020–December 2020 Major 7%

Minor 14% Successful Audit 46%

Opportunity for Improvement 33%

38

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

QAP DASHBOARD

QAP DASHBOARD TOTAL QAP DEALERS IN GOOD STANDING Quarterly: December 2019–December 2020

325 324 323 322 321 320 319 318 317 316 315

324

321 320 319 318

Dec-19

Mar-20

Jun-20

Sep-20

Dec-20

NEW QAP APPLICATIONS & ACCREDITATIONS Quarterly: December 2019–December 2020

9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Applications

Accreditations

8

4

5

2

2

Jun-20

Sep-20

2

Dec-19

Mar-20

5

4

Dealers with No Audit Findings A & J Mobility - De Pere, WI A & J Mobility – Eau Claire, WI A & J Mobility - Richfield, WI A & J Mobility - Valders, WI Access Mobility Center, Midland, MI Agor Enterprises, Inc - Rochester, NY Buddy's Holiday Mobility, Ft. Pierce, FL Custom Mobility - Largo, FL DRCE Mobility Solutions - Chantilly, VA Equipos Pro Impedidos De P.R. - Caguas, PR Frontier Access & Mobility – Cheyenne, WY Gulf States Mobility – Wetumpka, AL In Motion Mobility - Doral, FL Kempf, Inc. – Tampa, FL Mobility Express - Largo, FL Mobility Express Inc. - New Port Richey, FL MobilityWorks - Clermont, FL MobilityWorks - Daytona, FL

MobilityWorks - Ft. Lauderdale, FL MobilityWorks - Ft. Myers, FL MobilityWorks - Jacksonville, FL MobilityWorks - Lake Worth, FL MobilityWorks - Miami, FL MobilityWorks - Ocala, FL MobilityWorks - Pittsburgh, PA MobilityWorks - Tampa, FL MobilityWorks - Waukesha, WI Ocean Conversions - Ft. Myers, FL Ocean Conversions - Pompano Beach, FL SGI Mobility - Leola, PA Team Adaptive – Biloxi, MS Team Adaptive Inc - Panama City, FL Team Adaptive Medical Inc - Mobile, AL Tim's Trim Inc. - Rochester, NY Total Mobility Services Inc - Boswell, PA Total Mobility Services Inc - Harrisburg, PA

1

1

Dec-20

Newly Accredited Dealers MobilityWorks – North Chesterfield, VA

Jan-Mar 2021

39

CANADA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

A New Happy Year

By David Parton — Mobility in Motion PRESIDENT, NMEDA CANADA

A

nother year goes into the

for a nice hug, and a voice saying

NMEDA is the gold standard on

books, going out in silence

everything will be alright. We have

so many levels. Our education

with barely a toast and

year after year said we have high

and certification mechanisms for

everybody staying inside of their

hopes for this next year as the last

technicians has been propelled

family bubble.

one let us down.

forward light years by the partnership

This province is under a four-week

I am reminded that happiness is a

with the University of Pittsburgh and

lock down with only essential services

decision, and a way of living, not a

permitted or expected to work,

destination. My favourite music group

Education & Training.

that is, except construction is not to

once wrote, “Life is but a candle, and

QAP has been revitalized and

stop, repair shops and automotive

the dream, must give it flame.”

streamlined to the benefit of all.

The latest election has just ended for

QAPx will be rolled out this coming

NMEDA and here in Canada, we had

year, it has taken a long time and a

a good list of candidates volunteer to

lot of cooperation to bring this about,

either stay on or join the board.

prepare to be impressed.

Volunteerism is alive and well within

My message is, that even as we have

the ranks of NMEDA Canada. We

been sequestered and inside of our

will go into this next year stronger

bubbles, much work has continued

and more diversified. New board

and progress is being made.

dealerships are open by appointment only. Truth is, about the only places closed down and locked is every eatery you may wish to have lunch at.

Small retailers are closed unless they can offer curb-side or on-line sales.

Even politicians don’t seem to have taken the lock down seriously as we hear a steady drone of provincial politicians getting caught returning from beach front destinations.

I am not questioning, and I respect the power of this virus, and my heart breaks for the many, especially the residents of retirement facilities, who have had their lives put on hold and a significant number continue to populate the rolls of those who have died from the virus.

I asked my family to look forward to what is to come, and to find happiness, purpose, and satisfaction, despite what seems to be one situation after another that saps our energy and makes us maintain a distance from each other. Oh,

40

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

members, welcome aboard.

Amy Lane as our new Director of

“

We have a number of vendors who

We are all volunteers on the US and

are not part of our association. It is

Canadian Boards of Directors. We

our intention over the next year to

give of our time and we seek to look

reach out and encourage many to join

at and address the many issues which

us. We have more in common and as

our industry has. Our client base is

our Canadian Association continues

vulnerable often, and at the very least

to make progress and collaborate

they are struggling and looking for

with many other professional

answers.

associations, our standards and the

Volunteerism is alive and well within the ranks of NMEDA Canada. We will go into this next year stronger and more diversified.”

protection it offers to end users,

be able to rely upon. We are the ones

we will establish ourselves, we will say

will make the need to join, a logical

that the funding agencies can look

Happy New Years to all our friends.

one. We do not and need not cajole

to and trust. We need to lead by

And welcome to those who are not

anybody.

example and tell our story. We are a

with our association today.

We do need to play straight

good news story when we play our

and adhere to the policies and procedures we profess to hold. What we do matters, we need to show leadership. Our message is timely and compelling. Others will join us,

role effectively and with integrity. Our association and the guidelines we have, and follow, is what differentiates us from the also rans. We need to be known for the work we do, and the

or simply benefit while riding on the

pride we take in our work.

coattails of our association.

2021 will be a better year, because we

We are the line of defense that those

will take control and go forward with

who need the products we sell should

---

a vision, together as an association

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| email: david.winkelbauer@mgaresearch.com | phone: (262) 763-2705 | web: mgaresearch.com | Jan-Mar 2021

41

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS REPORT

2020 GR Recap: Binge-Watch Edition

by Amy Schoppman NMEDA DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

T

o paraphrase Jean-Ralphio

by me. RATING: 1 out of 5 stars (would

with the corresponding television

Saperstein, a recurring side

not recommend).

content that recaptured my attention

character on my second-

As you may have gathered, I’ve had

throughout the year. You may not

favorite television show about the inner workings of small-town government (more on that below), 2020 was “the woOOOooOOorst.”

some extra “me time” during isolation and while I engaged in certain trendy self-care activities—experimenting with baking bread, dedicating myself

This year has been as disorienting

to the practice of yoga for eight days,

as a Black Mirror episode, as tense

learning everything about (and then

as the final installments of The Queen’s Gambit, and dare I say more emotionally tumultuous than the entire third season of 90 Day Fiancé. If this year becomes a Netflix docuseries, I’d wager it’ll be screen written by Stephen King, directed by Quentin Tarantino, and not watched

42

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

“

pick up on all the references, but you’ll certainly be given a look back at 2020’s Top GR Moments (while perhaps picking up a new show to binge-watch as we remain mostly indoors this winter).

...the NMEDA Conference. I fondly remember the expo hall networking, the in-person education sessions, and the general lack of paranoia related to a highly contagious virus. Good times.”

briefly attempting to take down) the

Conference

Church of Scientology—I found the

Going back to a time before everyone

most comfort in re-watching certain

on Twitter spontaneously became

television series. Viewing predictable

an infectious disease expert, there

content has been an unexpectedly

was the NMEDA Conference. I fondly

soothing pastime during this year of

remember the expo hall networking,

uncertainty and anxiety, the familiarity

the in-person education sessions, and

providing a sense of stability and

the general lack of paranoia related to

the nostalgia connecting me to

a highly contagious virus. Good times.

simpler times. So, in honor of the

I most fondly recall the presence of

medium (cable news specifically

35 Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)

excluded) that has most helped me

professionals representing 20 states.

cope with 2020, I’ll be recapping

A considerable effort was made to

my favorite GR-related activities

attract these important professionals

and achievements by pairing each

to the NMEDA Conference in order

Not actually Amy.

to increase their knowledge and understanding of our industry, to provide an opportunity for them to interact and network with NMEDA members, and to celebrate them during a private event hosted by the NMEDA and ADED Boards of Directors. What I remember less fondly are the scheduling complications caused by COVIDrelated travel delays, the unavoidable speaker cancellations, and the general headaches that evidently come with executing a three-day conference Actually Katie.

that happens to coincide with a burgeoning pandemic. The experience resembled the Schitt’s Creek finale, which saw a major event threatened by nightmarish news, uncontrollable events, and one consequential cancellation. Despite the obstacles, The Rose Family rallied to bring the town together and pull off the event with only one wood-fired pizza oven-related meltdown from David.

We were, as Moira advised Jocelyn’s elementary school students during her highly age-inappropriate lecture, “prepared for life and whatever it will throw at you”—and we’re currently preparing for even more VR-specific sessions and events at the 2021 colocated conference.

VMSA The Veterans Mobility Safety Act, much like the Bravo network (stay with me…), has been a significant part of my life for the better part of a decade now. As I reflected on this column it dawned on me that the VMSA and the channel-that-used-tobroadcast-operas-but-now-launchesclinical-narcissists-into-temporarystardom possess a sort of kindred dualism: they both offer lightness

(VA program improvement, the early

and thoughtful. While the experience

days of Project Runway) and darkness

was more crucial and stressful than

(bureaucratic red tape, Kim Zolciak);

the Below Deck docking at Jolly

and both have brought both promise

Harbour in Antigua, I’m confident

(better/safer automotive mobility

that the outcome—which VA claims

outcomes, Leah McSweeney) and

will be released in 2021—will be more

peril (the legislative process, every

favorable than Tom and Erika’s.

“Real Housewife” whose blatantly questionable finances are publicly

Virtual Events

presented for IRS scrutiny). This

Virtual events became very much

year’s big event (no, not Tom and

A Thing in 2020, and I’m certain I

Erika Girardi’s fall from grace) was

struggled with the adjustment more

the release of VA’s proposed rule to

than most. If I had a dollar for every

amend the regulations governing the

time I took 5+ seconds to “shaaaaaare

provision of monetary allowances for

my screeeeennn,” provided the

adaptive equipment. This was a major

perfect response while still on mute,

VMSA-related event and NMEDA’s

or showed up to a staff meeting with

response had to be perfect, so I

what appeared to be a “Goblin Filter”

sought guidance—as one does—from

on Zoom, my 2021 Sling charges

Bravo personalities. After cringe-

would be taken care of. I’m just not

watching Dorinda unintelligibly

that savvy when it comes to lighting,

slur her way through Season 12 of

angles, and technology in general—a

The Real Housewives of New York

silly yet somewhat serious quandary

City like some Gucci-clad Exorcist

given our current professional reliance

demon, I thought it best that we

on virtual platforms. What We Do

eschew her approach and instead

in the Shadows, a show that follows

channel the stylings of Million Dollar

four vampires living together on

Listing’s Josh Flagg while he shows

Staten Island, provided some comic

potential buyers a Mid-Century

relief as I digitally fumbled my way

Modern in The Pacific Palisades. We

through March and April. Watching

were prepared, thorough, precise,

these centuries-old creatures get into

Jan-Mar 2021

43

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS REPORT

(continued)

petty arguments as they struggled

leadership and teamwork we may

them. NMEDA member feedback was

to live together and understand the

have ended up with a camel of our

solicited and submitted in December,

internet was satisfying, preposterous,

own, but throughout the process we

and VA intends to identify its flaws

and downright relatable. Similarly

achieved workload balance (“Never

and areas of improvement before

unanchored in a new world and

half-ass two things, whole-ass one

potentially embarking upon a larger

frustrated by modern technology,

thing”), encouraged each other

program overhaul. The ending here is

I eventually became proficient in

(“There’s nothing we can’t do if we

still uncertain, but I sense it’ll be better

“regular human” tasks like effectively

work hard, never sleep, and shirk

than Christopher’s (you broke my

representing NMEDA during the

from all other responsibilities”),

heart, Cwistuhfuhhh!).

hundreds of webinars, conferences,

communicated honestly (“I don’t

seminars, meetings, fundraisers, and

want to be overdramatic, but today

other virtual events I attended this

felt like a hundred years in hell and

year. At this point I would welcome

the absolute worst day of my life”),

the opportunity to have an Energy

and generally combined our various

Vampire approach me at an in-person

talents and strengths to produce a

conference to discuss equine foot

right proper horse of a website. Li’l

care, but until then, I’ll maintain my

Sebastian would be proud.

grip on virtual meeting etiquette.

VA’s Integrated Project Team

“Oh, the movie never ends, It goes on and on and on and on…”

Cut to black.

Roll credits.*

(*Special thanks to NMEDA’s DCbased lobbyists, members of the GR Committee, my various co-presenters,

As I reflect on my re-watch of all 86

and all task force/special committee/

NMEDA staff undertook a

episodes of The Sopranos, it occurs

survey participants.)

considerable, multi-faceted, all hands

to me that if Tony Soprano were a

---

on deck project with the simultaneous

US federal government department

revamp of the Association’s website,

(yes, I think about such things, I’ve

learning management system,

got spare time…), he would be the VA:

and association management

large, complex, stubborn, perpetually

system. As demonstrated in an

grappling with dysfunction, hesitant

early episode of Parks & Recreation

to self-reflect, committed to keeping

(my aforementioned second-

those around him in the dark, and

favorite television show about

constantly circling the same topics

the inner workings of small-town

while failing to make any significant

government), group projects can

progress. A flawed and frustrating

easily go awry. In “The Camel,” our

character, I nonetheless found myself

ragtag group of Parks Department

empathizing with his struggles and

employees bicker as they work

stresses and was hopeful his efforts

on a proposal for a new Town Hall

at self-examination would produce

mural. Director Leslie Knope, fed

meaningful results. VA also engaged

up with the group’s inability to

in some self-reflection this year,

compromise and define their vision,

taking the initiative to establish an

decides to combine portions of each

Automobile Allowance Modernization

employee’s proposal into a single—

Integrated Project Team (IPT) to

and ugly and confusing—mess of a

examine opportunities to modernize

mural (the titular “camel,” known in

the Auto Grant and Adaptive

government circles as “a horse made

Equipment Program, an initiative for

by a committee”). Without effective

which we genuinely (really) applaud

Website Overhaul

44

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

FREE Online Training Course: Introduction to Automotive Mobility This 35-minute tutorial provides a brief overview of the automotive mobility sector for anyone who is new to this industry. It is a great on-boarding tool for new employees or a refresher training for both sales and technician personnel. Topics covered include: • Overview of Automotive Mobility Industry • Medical Diagnoses and Recommending the Right Product • Funding Sources

Oct–Dec 2020

www.NMEDA.org/IntroToAutoMobility

45

SAVE THE DATE

COLUMBUS, OH SEPTEMBER 18-20

Jan-Mar 2021

45

Mobility Way

By Mike Savicki — Afterburner Communications NMEDA CONSULTANT

The Move to a Minivan

Behind the wheel, Steve Killilea has covered the miles in a variety of vehicles...

T

his story begins back in the

only solution for passengers or drivers.

days of car-toppers and bench

In February 1977, at age 9, Steve Killilea came with plenty of room to transfer and, yes, he equipped it with a carcontracted Encephalitis, a blood

seats. Remember those? Long

before lowered-floor minivans and ramp-equipped SUVs became the norm—actually, long before minivans and SUVs were even invented—these were a few of the things disabled drivers considered when looking at vehicles to get them on the road.

Sure, full-sized, lift-equipped vans with overstuffed captain’s chairs were around but even back then, in the 1970s and 1980s, vans weren’t the

plasma virus that came with flu-like

everyday wheelchair.

more than his left, he was diagnosed

Then it was a black Oldsmobile

a quadriplegic, and he finished third

Cutlass, another hand-me-down from

grade rehabbing in a Boston hospital.

his Dad, and this car had both bench

Steve doesn’t remember much about

seats and a car topper. Steve figured

family vehicles from when he was

out systems to transfer in and out,

young because, as a passenger even

load and unload his everyday chair,

into high school, cars didn’t much

and also to transport his wheelchair

matter, it was about school, friends,

rugby chair to and from weekly

family, and being active.

practices. Steve was one of the

changed when, after graduating high school and enrolling at the University of Massachusetts Boston, the family

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

topper to secure and stow his folding

symptoms. His right side was affected

But his attitude

46

Thunderbird. The two-door coupe

original members of the USQRA’s NEPVA (Boston) Pitbulls and it was there, by watching and learning from teammates, he learned that instead of using a car topper, he could transfer in and out and handle his chair by himself. Soon his car transfers became

realized he needed

faster and more efficient.

a car to get back

“The rugby guys knew all the ins

and forth to school.

and outs of chairs and vehicles so I

Enter his first vehicle,

followed,” Steve, now 52, recalls with a

a hand-me-down-

laugh. I’d see them do it, say to myself

from-Dad, “top of

‘oh, that looks easy’ and learn a new

the line” 1982 Ford

way.”

By the time Steve could afford

the car and I wasn’t sure

to purchase his own car, a roomy

a van would give me the

Pontiac Bonneville, he left the car-

same ride. I worried about

topper behind. He’d transfer in and

parking. I knew vans are

out either from the passenger side

expensive and there’d be

(using the bench seating to slide

sticker shock. And then

across while pulling alongside him his

there was the whole ramp

still assembled manual chair) or on

angle issue. I wasn’t sure I’d

the driver’s side (disassembling his

be able to push up some of the steep

manual chair and pulling the wheels

ramps I had seen.”

and frame across his body for front

So Steve bought a Honda Accord and

and back seat storage). If his job or rugby required multiple chairs, he had systems to make it all work.

Time Flies Time flies whether we like it or not.

Steve Killilea has worked full-time since graduating college and is now in his 28th year working for the Boston VA Healthcare System. He began in prosthetics and transferred to fiscal where he now works as an accounting

drove it for nearly a decade, all the time keeping the thought of a van in the back of his mind, saving as best as he could, and weighing the costs and benefits of the trade-off. He and his wife, Kathy, made the Accord work (she would often help disassemble and stow his chair early in the morning as he left their suburban Framingham home on the way into the city to be at his desk by 6:30 AM).

tech. He has worked in three different

“I wasn’t ready before, I wanted that

Boston locations and has parked

last car,” Steve recalls. “But a few

everywhere from narrow back alleys

years ago, I knew I was ready.”

and exposed outdoor lots to newly

Pictured front row center holding ball, Steve Killilea was a longtime member of the USQRA’s NEPVA (Boston) Pitbulls quad rugby team.

Sienna with a BraunAbility conversion became available (a trade-in from a veteran), Steve was ready. He purchased the vehicle outright and worked with MobilityWorks on installing right hand controls, a six-way seat base, and a left side mounted push button transmission box. The vehicle’s low ramp angle was a major deciding factor, too, since he wants to maintain as much manual independence as possible.

“When I made the decision to get the van, it went pretty quickly,” Steve explains. “I knew it was a good deal and I knew it wasn’t worth waiting and

striped parking decks.

Van Life In 2018, Steve drove to the North

hoping a better deal comes along.

But age and overuse eventually catch

Attleboro, MA, MobilityWorks

“It’s a surprising good ride and that

dealership to learn about van options.

makes me happy,” he adds. “And I’m

Making it clear he wasn’t there to buy,

not thinking anymore about how

he asked open and honest questions

many transfers it will take not just to

and listened to explanations related

get back and forth to work but also if I

“A combination of things were

to make, model, options, conversions,

want to go out on the weekends. I can

beginning to happen. It was the

and so much more. He weighed

do the ramp angle and I’m a lot less

shoulders first and foremost,” Steve

buying new versus used. He explained

tired. I’m glad I made the choice I did.”

shares. “And I was getting older, and I

his disability (Steve uses right hand

was getting more and more tired, and

controls since his injury is asymmetric)

then there was the weather, too. The

and learned about what modifications

heat and humidity sometimes made

would be required. And he reached

transfers difficult and so did the cold

back out to his rugby network, asking

and snow. I began to count the times

friends from around the country about

I’d start a transfer then sit right back

their vehicles, their modifications,

down knowing it just wasn’t going to

and their levels of satisfaction. Much

happen. It wasn’t always fun.”

like his peers first educated him years

up with decades of being active and by 2011, Steve had begun thinking about making the transition to a minivan.

He continues, “I had already begun thinking about a van but I knew I wasn’t there yet. I still loved driving

earlier, he again gained confidence from their guidance.

When a low mileage, 2019 Toyota Photos courtesy of Steve Killilea

Steve Killilea figures he will work another five or six years in order to be eligible for full VA pension and benefits. From car toppers and bench seats to a lowered-floor minivan, adapted vehicles have enabled him to work for nearly 30 years. He will be 56 or 57 when he retires. And he plans to still be driving the van.

---

NMEDA INDUSTRY MEMBERS INDUSTRY ____________________________

Access & Mobility Finance, Inc. 1020 Aileen Street Lafayette, CA 94549 (925) 299-1039

Brandl Mobility Finance Services 559 Hwy 10 South St. Cloud, MN 56304 (866) 581-3922

General Motors Corporation 100 Renaissance Ctr. Detroit, MI 48265 (313) 667-8682

Mobility Funding Group, Inc. 2040 Frontage Road South Waite Park, MN 58387 (877) 327-3533

Accessible Vans of America, LLC. 334 Buckington Street St. Peters, MO 63376 (636) 294-1762

BraunAbility P.O. Box 310 Winamac, IN 46996 (800) 843-5438

Golden Mobility & Rehab LTD 3150A Faithfull Avenue Saskatoon, SK S7K 8H3 (306) 242-9060

Mobility Innovations 51277 Celeste Dr. Shelby Twp, MI 48315 (586) 843-3816

ACE Mobility 9850 East 30th Street Indianapolis, IN 46229 (317) 241-2444

Bruno Independent Living Aids 1780 Executive Drive Oconomowoc, WI 53066 (262) 953-5396

Adaptive Driving Alliance 111 Stow Avenue, Ste 103 Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221 (330) 928-7401

Creative Carriage Ltd. 6 Ridgeview Street St. George, ON N0E 1N0 (519) 740-4801

Adaptive Mobility Systems, Inc. 2072 N. Bibb Drive Tucker, GA 30084 (770) 674-0776

Crescent Industries 191 Washington St. Auburn, ME 04210 (207) 777-3500

Adapt-Solutions 145 Damase-Breton St-Lambert, QC G0S 2W0 (866) 641-0419

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

All Medical, Inc. dba AM Accessibility 2011 Hampton Street Columbia, SC 29204 (803) 779-2011

Driverge Vehicle Innovations 4199 Kinross Lakes Parkway Suite 300 Richfield, OH 44286 (330) 510-3069

AMF Bruns of America 1797 Georgetown Road Hudson, OH 44236 (877) 506-3770

Driving Systems, Inc. 16139 Runnymede St. Van Nuys, CA 91406 (818) 782-6793

AvonBrook Floor 2 Block A Cookstown Ct Dublin, Ireland D24WK28 +3530879894946

EZ Lock 2001 Wooddale Blvd.

Baton Rouge, LA 70806 (225) 214-4620

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 41693 Grandville, MI 49418 (888) 959-6198

48

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles 1000 Chrysler Drive Auburn Hills, MI 48326 (800) 255-9877 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

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

Harmar Mobility 2075 47th St. Sarasota, FL 34234 (800) 833-0478 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 Master’s Specialty Vehicles LLC 800 Quick Trip Way Belton, MO 64012 (800) 783-3613 Mobility Acceptance Co 1108 E Main St Suite 200 Richmond, VA 23219 (804) 505-4000

Mobility Store & More 1116 E. Kingsbury Street Seguin, TX 78155 (830) 386-0446 MPower Engineering, Inc. 6175 Melvin Avenue Tarzana, CA 91356 (818) 614-6149 New Life Van Auto & Truck Modification 258 Van Keuren Avenue Pine Bush, NY 12566 (845) 361-1244 PMG Technologies Inc. 100 Du Landais St. Blainville, QC J7C 5C9 (450) 430-7981 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 RADCO, Inc. 3220 E. 59th Street Long Beach, CA 90805 (562) 272-7231 Royale Mobility LLC 100 Newark Street Haverhill, MA 01832 (978) 374-4530 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

NMEDA INDUSTRY MEMBERS

Tempe Mobility 7975 S. Autoplex Loop Tempe, AZ 85284 (480) 598-2383

Vehicle Protection Services PO Box 2106 Pflugerville, TX 78660 (512) 585-5911

TMN 58 Ha”Khermesh Haifa, 31000

Webb Capital Corp.

PO Box 213 Coppell, TX 75019 (800) 886-4926

Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc 6565 Headquarters Drive Plano, TX 75024 (469) 292-4649 Vantage Mobility International 5202 S. 28th Place.

Phoenix, AZ 85040 (800) 348-8267

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

RandyK@clockmobility.com 800.732.5625 Clock Conversions

clockconversions.com

Jan-Mar 2021

NMEDA ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

____________________________

ALABAMA Brandon Adamson State of Alabama Dept. of Rehab Services 201 London Parkway Suite 450 Birmingham, AL 35211 (205) 414-8430 Chris Adkison State of Alabama Dept. of Rehab Services 201 London Parkway Suite 450 Birmingham, AL 35211 (205) 414-8430 Christopher Andrews State of Alabama Dept. of Rehab Services 201 London Parkway Suite 450 Birmingham, AL 35211 (205) 917-8432 Jacob Ellison State of Alabama Dept. of Rehab Services 201 London Parkway Suite 450 Birmingham, AL 35211 (205) 917-8432 Josh Forsman State of Alabama Dept. of Rehab Services 201 London Parkway Suite 450 Birmingham, AL 35211 (205) 870-5999 Tracey Kennedy State of Alabama Dept. of Rehab Services 201 London Parkway Suite 450 Birmingham, AL 35211 (205) 870-5999 Lou Klein Lynlo Enterprises, Inc. 22519 Front Beach Rd. Unit 127 Panama City Beach, FL 32413-3011 (941) 726-2220 Cory McClendon State of Alabama Dept. of Rehab Services 201 London Parkway Suite 450 Birmingham, AL 35211 (205) 917-8432

50

Craig Rogers State of Alabama Dept. of Rehab Services 201 London Parkway Suite 450 Birmingham, AL 35211 (205) 414-8430

(858) 565-2437

(813) 417-5801

Lula Capuchino Capuchino Therapy Group 3601 Marconi Ave. Sacramento, CA 95821 (916) 481-1300

Lori Grismore USF Health 8031 Brien Green Way Temple Terrace, FL 33637 (813) 396-0728

Jennifer Rogers State of Alabama Dept. of Rehab Services 201 London Parkway Suite 450 Birmingham, AL 35211 (205) 414-8430

Paul Cooper Adaptive Driving Program P.O. Box 641 Montebello, CA 90640 (323) 855-1502

Judi Hamelburg Advanced Driver Rehabilitation Inc. 1031 Ives Dairy Rd. Suite 228 N. Miami Beach, FL 33179 (305) 770-0747

William Scott State of Alabama Dept. of Rehab Services 201 London Parkway Suite 450 Birmingham, AL 35211 (205) 414-8430 David Shelnutt State of Alabama Dept. of Rehab Services 201 London Parkway Suite 450 Birmingham, AL 35211 (205) 870-5999 Cedrick Wallace State of Alabama Dept. of Rehab Services 201 London Parkway Suite 450 Birmingham, AL 35211 (205) 915-2299 Miika Weiman State of Alabama Dept. of Rehab Services 201 London Parkway Suite 450 Birmingham, AL 35211 (205) 915-2299 Stephen Williams State of Alabama Dept. of Rehab Services 201 London Parkway Suite 450 Birmingham, AL 35211 (205) 870-5999

____________________________

ARIZONA Jenny Nordine Driving to Independence, LLC 1414 W. Broadway #111 Tempe, AZ 85282 (480) 449-3331

____________________________

CALIFORNIA Penny M. Anders Sharp Memorial Hospital Rehab 1641 Borana St. San Diego, CA 92111

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

Melanie Henry Driver Cognitive Assessment Center, LLC 4450 Black Ave Suite D Pleasanton, CA 94566 (925) 249-5947 Gregory Paquin Gregory J. Paquin 5140 Florence Ave. Unit C Bell, CA 90201 (310) 337-1410

____________________________

COLORADO Sarah Davidson Craig Hospital 3425 S. Clarkson St. Englewood, CO 80113 (303) 789-8117 Barry Doyle Craig Hospital 3425 S. Clarkson Street Englewood, CO 80113 (303) 789-8218 Tiffany Heck Craig Hospital 3425 S. Clarkson Street Englewood, CO 80113 (303) 789-8219 Colleen Knoll Craig Hospital 3425 S. Clarkson Street Englewood, CO 80113 (303) 789-8218

____________________________

FLORIDA Lisa Crisalli Accessible Mobility Solutions 3936 SE 20th Ave Keystone Heights, FL 32656 (352) 339-2039 Stephen A. Emerson Stephen A. Emerson Inc. 1384 Wainwright Way Ft. Myers, FL 33919 (239) 633-0180 Janet Gardner Grace Adaptive Driving 18908 Adams Country Way Lutz, FL 33559-8222

Eilif L. Olesen Eilif L. Olesen 12700 66 Street North #1128 Largo, FL 33773 (727) 424-7485 Jillian Steen Memorial Rehabilitation Institute 300 Hollywood Way Hollywood, FL 33021 (954) 614-6051

____________________________

GEORGIA Matt Abisamra Shepherd Center 2020 Peachtree Rd. NW Atlanta, GA 30309 (404) 350-7720 Lakisha Gray Shepherd Center 2020 Peachtree Rd. NW Atlanta, GA 30309 (404) 350-7720 James Kennedy Shepherd Center 2020 Peachtree Rd. NW Atlanta, GA 30309 (404) 367-1296 Rajesh Pagadala Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency 3586 Riverside Drive Macon, GA 31210 (478) 751-6272 Jacqueline Valme Wellstar Spalding Regional Hospital 110 Jasper drive Stockbridge, GA 30281 (770) 229-6498

____________________________

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

NMEDA ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS ____________________________

____________________________

INDIANA

LOUISIANA

Mason Campbell Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana 9531 Valparaiso Court Indianapolis, IN 46268 (317) 879-8940

Michael K Shipp MKS Consultants, LLC 1340 Mitcham Orchard Rd Ruston, LA 71270 (318) 245-7361

Suzanne HardestyPritchard Easter Seals Crossroads 4740 Kingsway Drive Indianapolis, IN 46205 (317) 721-8636

MARYLAND

Kathy Kachanoski Columbus Regional Hospital 1732 Timbercrest Dr. Columbus, IN 47203 (800) 841-4938 Mary Ellen Keith Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana 18 Wilson Drive Carmel, IN 46032 (317) 696-0405 Carin Mitchell Mitchell Driving Solutions 55400 Timothy Road New Carlisle, IN 46552 Carmen Palanca Carmen Palanca 1156 Ridgeview Ct. Avon, IN 46123 (317) 660-6506 Jeffrey Perron Rehab Hospital of Indiana 8824 Donnie Ct Indianapolis, IN 46234 (317) 258-5851 Eva Richardville Therapeutic Mobility Services, Inc. 311 N. Airport Office Park Ft. Wayne, IN 46285 (260) 417-8399 Russell Schimmell OTR CDRS Easterseals Rehabilitation Center 3701 Bellemeade Avenue Evansville, IN 74414 (812) 492-0645

____________________________

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

____________________________

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

____________________________

MASSACHUSETTS Eugene Blumkin Massachusetts Rehab Commission 600 Washington Street Boston, MA 2211 (617) 204-3721

____________________________

MICHIGAN C Kerry Jones The Space Between 26875 Church St. Edwardsburg, MI 49112 (269) 663-0226 Kelby Lloyd Special Driving Services, Inc P.O. Box 241 Okemos, MI 48805 (517) 862-1717 Robert E. Reid Special Driving Services, Inc P.O. Box 241 Okemos, MI 48805 (517) 349-7990

____________________________

MISSISSIPPI Nikki Simmons Driving Independence 5225 Crawford Road Hernando, MS 38632 (901) 734-7472

____________________________

NEW YORK Nick Albanese Fitzgerald’s Driving School, Inc. 1350 Deer Park Avenue North Babylon, NY 11703 (631) 667-9642 Gail Babirad Rehabilitation Technology Assoc. Inc. PO Box 540 Kinderhook, NY 121060540 (800) 987-2753

Jurgen Babirad Rehabilitation Technology Associates, Inc. PO Box 540 Kinderhook, NY 12106-0540 (800) 987-2753 Linda Farrell Albany Medical Center 210 Rabie Road Averill Park, NY 12018 (518) 577-4447 John Lorenzetti, OTR/L, CDI, DRS FLX Driver Rehabilitation, LLC 4144 High Banks Rd. Geneva, NY 14456 (315) 585-9198 Raanan Zidile Tri-Boro Driver Rehabilitation & Mobility Services, Inc. 1642 Coney Island Aveue Brooklyn, NY 11230 (718) 414-2457

____________________________

NORTH CAROLINA Cyndee Crompton Genesis Marketing & Agencies dba Genesis Mobility PO Box 448 McLeansville, NC 27301 (336) 697-7841

Alan B. Simmerson CDRS WJBD VA Medical Center 3602 Deerfield Drive Columbia, SC 29204 (803) 776-4000

____________________________

TEXAS Karrie Reinecke Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital 7400 Merton Minter Blvd San Antonio, TX 78229 (210) 617-5300 Christine Salinas Strowmatt Rehabilitation Services 10690 Shadow Wood Dr Suite 113 Houston, TX 77043 (713) 722-0667 Chad Strowmatt Strowmatt Rehabilitation Services 11020 Katy Freeway Suite 217 Houston, TX 77043 (713) 722-0667

____________________________

WISCONSIN Jim Burmeister The Master’s Driving School W 7366 Flambeau Point Rd Ladysmith, WI 54848 (715) 456-8740

Mike Edwards North Carolina Division of Vocational Rehabilitation 3533 Windsor Dr Charlotte, NC 28209 undefined

Chelsea Hales The Master’s Driving School W 7366 Flambeau Point Rd Ladysmith, WI 54848 (715) 532-0327

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

WYOMING

____________________________

PENNSYLVANIA

____________________________

Lyndsie Fuller North Platt Physical Therapy PO Box 159 (269) 532-3375

Lori Benner Milton S. Hershey Medical Center 30 Hope Drive EC 130 Hershey, PA 17033 (717) 531-7444 Brenda Bennett Transportation Solutions 4202 Peach Street Erie, PA 16509 (814) 833-2301

____________________________

SOUTH CAROLINA Tom Jackman South Carolina Voc Rehab Technology Program 1410-C Boston Ave. W. Columbia, SC 29170 (803) 896-6080

Jan-Mar 2021

NMEDA ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS CANADA ____________________________

BRITISH COLUMBIA Larry Bowen Larry Bowen PO Box 78095 Northside RPO Port Coquitlam, BC V3B 4X5 (604) 996-4893 Lisa Kristalovich GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre 4255 Laurel Street Vancouver, BC V52 2G9 (604) 734-1313 Dean Robertson Access Driver Rehab Specialists 3405 W. 31 Ave. Vancouver, NC V6S 1X6 (604) 263-5218 ____________________________

NEW BRUNSWICK Maura DuLong Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation 800 Priestman St. Fredericton, NB E3B 0C7 (506) 452-5876 ____________________________

ONTARIO Shah Baqar, OT, CDRS CBI Health Group 20 Linsmary Court Markham, ON L6E 1L2 (416) 419-3031 F. Lortie F. Lortie 68 Bloomfield London, ON N6G 1P3 (519) 495-9541 Tamalea Stone Ottawa Hospital 686 Vivera Pl Stittsville, ON K2S 2N1

QUEBEC Marie-Eve Barbeau Programme Adaptation Vehicule (SAAQ) 333 boul Jean-Lesage S1-27 Quebec City, QC G1K 8J6 (418) 528-3310 Dana Benoit Constance Lethbridge Rehabilitation Centre 7005 Boulevard de Maisonneuve Quest Montreal, QC H4B 1T3 (514) 487-1891 Stephanie Bois CISSS des Laurentides / Programme ECAV 100, rue du ChanoineLionel-Groulx Sainte-Therese, QC J7E 5E1 (450) 437-6001 Nathalie Maertens Constance-Lethbridge Rehab Centre 7005 Boulevard de Maisonneuve Quest Montreal, QC H4B 1T3 (514) 487-1891 Alyssa Merilees Constance-Lethbridge Rehab Centre 7005 Boulevard de Maisonneuve Quest Montreal, QC H4B 1T3 (514) 487-1891 Susan Sofer Autonomy Community Therapy 6900 Boul Decarie Suite M170 Cote St-Luc, QC H3X 2T8 (514) 733-1414 Kristian Thivierge Centre de Readaptation Constance-Lethbridge 7005 Boulevard de Maisonneuve Quest Montreal, QC H4B 1T3 (514) 487-1891

____________________________

52

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

Minh-Thy Truong Constance-Lethbridge Rehab Centre 7005 Boulevard de Maisonneuve Quest Montreal, QC H4B 1T3 (514) 487-1770 ____________________________

SASKATCHEWAN Suzanne Lendvoy SK Health Authority 2180 23rd Avenue Regina, SK S4S 0A5 (306) 766-5968 _____________________________

JAPAN ____________________________

Etsuo Horikawa Center for motion analysis & mobility development, Saga Univ. Hospital.

5-1-1 Nabeshima Saga City, Japan 8498501 80 3377 2588

NMEDA EDU/GOV’T/NON-PROFIT MEMBERS EDU/GOV’T/NONPROFIT ____________________________

Sean Berry Texas A&M Transportation Institute - SB 3135 TAMU College Station, TX 77843 (979) 845-6375 Eric Bradley Texas A&M Transportation Institute 3135 TAMU College Station, TX 77843 (979) 845-7492 Timothy P. Brant Brant’s Driving School 596 Goucher Street Johnstown, PA 15905 (877) 395-7011 Lance Bullard Texas Transportation Institute A&M Univ. - LB 3135 TAMU College Station, TX 77843 (979) 845-6153 Patrick Delplancke Transport Canada - Road Safety & Motor Veh. Reg. 330 Sparks St Ottawa, ON K1A 0N5 (613) 998-2189

George Hicks Ingenium Engineering Services 4345 Teal Road Petersburg, MI 48270 (734) 279-9345 Todd Keanan James A. Haley VA Hospital 13000 Bruce B. Downs.

Blvd.

Tampa, FL 33612 (813) 972-2000 Rev. Julius Lee SMCL Foundation & Associates Inc. Adaptive & Multi-services Organization 2910 Seine Street New Orleans, LA 70114 (504) 450-4014

Ed Stang Disabled Sailing Association 402 Houghton Ct Kelowna, BC C7V1X (250) 859-0816 Stephen Sundarrao Rehabilitation Engineering & Technology Program 4202 E. Fowler Avenue ENB 118 Tampa, FL 33620 (813) 974-5346 James Wooldridge SIU Department of Rehabilitation of Services 500C South Lewis Lane Carbondale, IL 62948 (618) 453-2331

Michel Morency S.A.A.Q 333, boul. Jean-Lesage, C-4-21 Quebec City, QC G1K 8J6 (418) 528-3597 Torrey Morse Connecticut Bureau of Rehabilitation Services 55 Farmington Ave, 12th Fl Hartford, CT 06105 (860) 424-4865 Tina Paff Bicks Driving School 6367 Glenway Ave Cincinnati, OH 45211 (513) 251-2100

Jan-Mar 2021

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 February 18, 2021 March 18, 2021 April 15, 2021

Abilities Virtual Experience

March 26—27, 2021 Visit www.abilities.com/virtual for more information

CMSA Annual Conference

June 8—11, 2021 Visit www.cmsa.org/2021-conference for more information.

Abilities Expo - Chicago

June 25—27, 2021 Visit www.abilities.com/chicago for more information.

NMEDA Annual Conference & Auto Mobility Expo 2021 September 18—20, 2021 in Columbus, OH Visit www.NMEDAAnnualConference.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.

54

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

Jan-Mar 2021

55

where you want in life

The BraunAbility Pacifica offers the uncompromised performance you deserve, from the Most Recommended Name in Mobility*

BraunAbility.com *Based on 2016 Dealer Service Technician Study

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