Reminder: Wheelchair Safety While Driving or Riding

If you use a wheelchair, you probably know how to get into and out of a car safely. You’ve seen a certified driver rehabilitation specialist and know the rules. But it doesn’t hurt to go over them periodically, and perhaps correct some bad habits we’ve fallen into – and start the New Year off right.

The following guidelines increase safety for wheelchair-seated riders and drivers.

Where to sit

• If possible, transfer into the vehicle’s seat, which is crash designed for greatest protection.
• If you can’t, it is safest to have a WCl9-compliant, transit-ready wheelchair. Non-WCl9-compliant wheelchairs are generally not strong enough to withstand the impact forces that can result in a crash.
• WC19-compliant wheelchairs are designed for use as a motor-vehicle seat and have been crash-tested. Visit this website resource for more info on WC19-compliant wheelchairs.

Seat / safety belt

• Safety belts are the law in almost every state – and that applies to wheelchair users, so position the safety shoulder and lap belt correctly.
• To prevent a wheelchair-seated driver from hitting vehicle structures (windshield, dashboard, etc.) during a crash, it is important to use a safety belt system composed of a shoulder and lap belt that fit snugly across the pelvis, chest and shoulder – not the wheelchair belt.
• Wheelchair belts have not been crash-tested and some are designed to break away from the wheelchair when in a crash. Exceptions are WC19-compliant wheelchairs that come with crash-tested safety belts.

Feeling tied down is a good thing

• Always use a crash-tested securement system to safely anchor the wheelchair using a 4-point tie-down system to keep it stationary – whether you are sitting in the vehicle seat or in the wheelchair.
• An automatic lock-down system will also work to make the manual tie-down system easier. It connects to a bracket installed on the bottom of the wheelchair, allowing independent wheelchair securement.

This mobility safety update has been brought to you by NMEDA – the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association. Need some information on how to make your vehicle wheelchair accessible or upgraded with the latest and most convenient features? Contact a NMEDA dealer in your local area. Your local NMEDA member is a mobility equipment and accessibility expert!

The 4 Steps to Driving Independence

If you have recently become a person with a disability or you’re a senior and realize your driving skills have declined over the years, don’t self diagnose or speculate about the type of adaptive equipment you may need. There are four other places to start the process of confident driving independence.

Don’t buy anything yet – not a van or even hand controls – before you consult with these four places!

Start with (1) your physician and discuss your concern/challenge. He/she will diagnose your problem and may recommend (2) an occupational therapist (OT). If the OT cannot help, the next step is (3) a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS).

A CDRS evaluates your skills and decides if you’ll be able to drive with vehicle modifications and adaptive equipment, determine what is best for your unique needs and train you on their use.

During the evaluation you can try an assortment of equipment to enhance your abilities. Some equipment (turning seat, hand controls, etc.) may be more than you need today, but you may need them in six months or a year.

When you feel confident with the equipment, you can train on the road, in traffic.

The cost of a CDRS evaluation and training varies. Get an estimate from the evaluator and submit it to your insurance company and/or your state’s dept. of rehabilitation, who may assist with the cost.

When you decide you’re ready to purchase a van and/or adaptive or accessible equipment, consult with experts in the field. To locate one, call the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association at 866-948-8341 or visit www.nmeda.org.

Finally, take the driving test and get your license to drive!

To locate a Driver Rehabilitation Specialist in your area, contact The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists, 2425 N. Center St., #369 Hickory, North Carolina 28601 or visit www.aded.net. Call 828-855-1623 or toll free 866-672-9466 in the United States and Canada.

This mobility safety update has been brought to you by NMEDA – the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association. Need some information on how to make your vehicle wheelchair accessible or upgraded with the latest and most convenient features? Contact a NMEDA dealer in your local area. Your local NMEDA member is a mobility equipment and accessibility expert!

Tips on Buying Auto Insurance for Those with Disabilities

Are you a safe driver? Discount! Are you married? Discount! Is your vehicle modified in any way? Oops. Modified vehicles send up red flags to insurance companies. They automatically link “modified” with activities like street racing, and can then legally hike premiums or deny coverage.

Make sure your company knows the modifications are due to disabilities and they understand the insurance is for the vehicle and the conversion components, plus coverage for replacement costs.

Shop around to get the best price.

According to The Hartford Financial Services Group, “Insuring a significantly modified vehicle, which increases the value of the vehicle, will cost more than the same non-modified vehicle, if the modifications are insured for physical damage — comprehensive and collision coverage. Liability coverage is not affected by vehicle modifications. If the modifications are not insured, premium will not be impacted.”

Modifications are not the only factors that influence premiums.

• Gender: Younger men pay more, as they tend to drive more aggressively and take more risks than females.
• Age: Young drivers in general pay more (a lot more) until they turn 21 (sometimes 25) and then rates increase again when they become seniors.

• Marital status: Single people pay more as they are more accident prone than married couples.
• Driving record: Tickets and/or accidents drive premiums higher.
• Type of vehicle: More expensive cars cost more to repair and that jacks up premiums.
• Education: (1) Lower premiums by taking a defensive driving class and sending a copy of the certificate to your insurance company. (2) College and high school students receive discounts by maintaining a high GPA. (3) College grads pay lower premiums than those with less education.
• Credit score: If you pay bills on time, you’re less likely to file an insurance claim, so your premiums are lower.
• Occupation: The more stressful your occupation and/or the more time you spend driving means higher premiums.
• Your location: Urban areas increase your premiums, as accidents and auto theft are much lower in rural areas. However, even moving 2 miles can possibly raise your insurance.
• Safety equipment: Candidates for lower rates include anti-theft devices, front and side airbags and an onboard service like OnStar and others.
• Organizations: Ask about discounts for organizations to which you belong, including military, senior organizations, etc.

This mobility safety update has been brought to you by NMEDA – the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association. Need some information on how to make your vehicle wheelchair accessible or upgraded with the latest and most convenient features? Contact a NMEDA dealer in your local area. Your local NMEDA member is a mobility equipment and accessibility expert!

When is a Good Time to Rent a Wheelchair Accessible Van?

Three times are ideal to rent a wheelchair accessible van.

If you’re a first-time purchaser of a wheelchair accessible vehicle, you may want to rent one first to see what it’s like, if it’s for you, and if you feel comfortable driving it.

If your present vehicle is in the repair shop, you’ll need to rent a replacement.

Perhaps you’re going on a vacation or long trip. Your present accessible vehicle may not be as comfortable as you’d like for a lengthy journey or you have a minivan and need a larger van for your vacation. (An accessible minivan accommodates 4 passengers plus 1 wheelchair or 2 passengers plus 2 wheelchairs, depending on the size of the wheelchairs.)

Actually, anytime is ideal to rent a wheelchair van sporting more luxurious or newer features. Pamper yourself!

Whatever your needs, from automatic ramps and lifts, luxury interiors, and the latest wheelchair securement systems, now is the time to try out an accessible van – rent it!

Whether you rent new or used, a quality company maintains its vehicles in optimum condition, plus you can decide on side or rear ramp access, lift options, remote features, swivel or turning seat, and all the other gadgets and necessities you’ve been dreaming of.

Delivery and pick-up are normally available on rentals that last for a week or longer. Delivery includes at your home, work, the airport, etc. (You may have to pick-up and return a daily rental.)

First things first: Which van?

Mileage. Ask about the gas mileage of different models. Better mileage will save you a bundle over the span of a long trip. Renting a new van over a used one may be the smarter move if the gas mileage is considerably better.

Help! Ask the company if it has a 24-hour hotline,  emergency towing or other service.

Make a reservation. When you find a van rental company that has the bells and whistles you want, make a reservation to ensure it’s available when you’re ready to go.

What you’ll need:

• You must be 25 and have a valid drivers license.
• Call your insurance company. You’ll need proof of full coverage insurance to cover a rental vehicle (comprehensive, collision, and liability). Many rental companies do not provide insurance. Check their requirements.
• Major credit card.

• If more than one person plans to drive, they must also be 25 or older.
• All drivers must sign the rental contract, show insurance and drivers licenses.

• A clean driving history.

Many rental companies also offer scooter rentals, power wheelchair rentals, booster seats, car seats, GPS rentals and other goodies for your travel needs.

Rent a wheelchair accessible vehicle and travel in style! We always recommend an in-person evaluation before you rent or purchase an adaptive vehicle for safety purposes. Many NMEDA dealers rent accessible vans/vehicles and can be found at www.nmeda.org.

This mobility safety update has been brought to you by NMEDA – the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association. Need some information on how to make your vehicle wheelchair accessible or upgraded with the latest and most convenient features? Contact a NMEDA dealer in your local area. Your local NMEDA member is a mobility equipment and accessibility expert!

Minivan: Advantages & Disadvantages of Fold-Out Ramp vs In-Floor Ramp

For those with disabilities, wheelchair minivans offer either a ramp or lift to get the chair into its proper place. While the lift has its fans, the ramp has the edge in popularity due to its price and convenience.

Ramps can be deployed manually or electronically from a passenger side door. They can be a fold-out or in-floor style. (In-floor ramps slide in and out from beneath the floor.)

Each has its drawbacks and advantages, so weigh the options against your situation.

Fold-out ramp

• The installation is less extensive and therefore less expensive than the in-floor ramp.
• It easily deploys on tall sidewalk curbs, a big plus where parking is limited.
• Since it stows in the entryway, the ramp blocks the doorway, so it must be deployed when the door opens, unless the van has doors on both sides of the compartment.

• Because it stows in the passenger compartment, it is less apt to corrode or freeze up in colder climates.

In-floor ramp

• There is usually no manual option; if the van loses power, the ramp won’t operate unless there is a backup system or a hand crank.

• An in-floor ramp is roomier as it doesn’t block the doorway – it rests in a pocket under the floor. Passengers enter and exit without having to deploy the ramp – an important consideration if you have passengers.
• High sidewalk curbs may prevent the in-floor ramp from deploying.
• When pocketed, the ramp cannot be seen from inside or outside the van, making it look more attractive.

Both ramp styles have their benefits; and your individual needs will determine which is best for you. Discuss the pros and cons of each with a therapist or Driver Rehabilitation Specialist.

This mobility safety update has been brought to you by NMEDA – the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association. Need some information on how to make your vehicle wheelchair accessible or upgraded with the latest and most convenient features? Contact a NMEDA dealer in your local area. Your local NMEDA member is a mobility equipment and accessibility expert!

Why Are Vehicle Conversions For Those With Disabilities So Expensive?

Converting a vehicle to suit the needs of those with disabilities is costly. The conversion alone can cost upward of $20,000. Add on the vehicle and the bottom line will run between $40,000 and $60,000+.

Why? Three things: The vehicle, the adaptive equipment and 3 to 4 weeks of intensive labor.

The work is not merely bolting in equipment. Extensive alterations to the body and electrical system are made. Depending on what is installed, the entire vehicle may be taken apart, the components installed, and the whole thing reassembled. And because structural modifications can affect the safety rating of the vehicle, it must be crash tested to government standards – another expensive process.

Lowering the floor alone is massive. If the fuel tank must be moved to lower the floor (a common procedure in a minivan), it must be shown that the conversion did not change the evaporative emissions of the original vehicle, and still meet strict government requirements.

You can save in areas that are less complex and require less work. For example, a rear-entry ramp entrance typically costs less than side-entry because its installation is less complicated and takes fewer hours of labor.

Converting an older vehicle or one with high mileage will cost more in the long run and may be a safety issue.

• The average lifespan of a wheelchair van is around 10 years.
• A vehicle with more than 20,000 miles that has not been properly maintained may have hidden corrosion, and may no longer be structurally sound enough after adaptive equipment has been installed. The structural integrity – and your safety – will be compromised.
• A van’s value depreciates by 10% each year, so if you put $20,000 worth of adaptive equipment into an older van, the modifications will probably outlast the vehicle. To remove that equipment from the van and have it installed in a newer van is another chunk of change.

While it may all be overwhelming, an adaptive equipment distributor helps determine which vehicles can be modified to best suit your needs.

This mobility safety update has been brought to you by NMEDA – the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association. Need some information on how to make your vehicle wheelchair accessible or upgraded with the latest and most convenient features? Contact a NMEDA dealer in your local area. Your local NMEDA member is a mobility equipment and accessibility expert!

Save Money Using a Certified Mobility Equipment Dealer

Some people with disabilities may think that any vehicle can be converted for their unique needs. They buy a car, van, truck or SUV and are surprised that it can’t be modified at all. You can’t just return that vehicle to a dealership and get your money back.

To save money and grief, start with a professional mobility equipment dealer because they know which vehicles can be converted.

These professionals also specialize in accessing clients’ needs, and will determine which vehicle fits your individual needs based on many factors, like wheelchair or scooter size and your unique disabilities.

Ideally, you should contact a mobility expert and discuss your needs for a vehicle even before purchasing a wheelchair or scooter. If you already own a wheelchair (or scooter), tell your dealer if you plan on getting a different one.

Reasons to consult with a qualified mobility equipment dealer:

• Mobility experts, driver evaluators or occupational therapists will interview you to determine your equipment needs and give you a list of specific vehicle and adaptive equipment recommendations.
• They make sure the vehicle you want is sound enough structurally to be modified, as not all are engineered to take conversion.
• They will ensure the vehicle, with adaptive equipment, has been crash-tested to meet or exceed government safety standards. (It must meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.)
• They provide a local link to qualified service and repair, as it is vital to have a modified vehicle serviced by a certified mobility dealer due to its adaptive equipment.
• Many will bring the vehicle to your home or place of work for you to test drive it.

It only makes sense. Save money. Less frustration. Get the expert advice of a professional before you buy. A Quality Assurance Program (QAP) dealer through the National Mobility Equipment Dealer Association guarantees the highest quality in sales and service.

This mobility safety update has been brought to you by NMEDA – the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association. Need some information on how to make your vehicle wheelchair accessible or upgraded with the latest and most convenient features? Contact a NMEDA dealer in your local area. Your local NMEDA member is a mobility equipment and accessibility expert!

 

How to Identify a Reputable Accessible Vehicle Company

When you buy an accessible vehicle or have a vehicle modified for someone with disabilities, you want a dealer who offers a custom in-person evaluation, plus you want proof that qualified accredited professionals are doing all the work; and you can get service any time of day or night. In this industry that means the company is a member of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA,) a non-profit trade association.

Ask any online-only dealer or non-NMEDA member company if they offer all of that.

Tips on finding a reputable company

1. When buying anything or having it repaired, you want to see promises, guarantees and warrantees in writing. Don’t just take a website’s word for it, or the person who answered the phone.
2. Ask how long the company has been in business? Long enough to have a history of quality, reliability and service? Long enough to have customer references? Long enough to believe they’ll be around in five years when you need replacement parts?
3. Find out which, if any, associations or organizations the company belongs to. Again, don’t take their word for it. Check at the association’s website to ensure the company is a member.

Belonging to a reputable trade association (not just a social organization) speaks volumes, as most have rigorous requirements pertaining to industry and government standards.

For example, National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association is a non-profit trade association of mobility equipment dealers, driver rehabilitation specialists, and other professionals dedicated to broadening the opportunities for people with disabilities to drive or be transported in vehicles modified with mobility equipment. All members work together to improve transportation options of people with disabilities and are required to adhere to the safety standards of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and to follow the NMEDA Guidelines.

(It probably all sounds like blah blah blah, but read carefully, as each point, each requirement, each step of the process is a vital part of insuring your safety and getting a product that will fulfill your unique needs – not “one size fits all.”)

Ask the online-only dealer or non-NMEDA member if they…

• Only offer you one or two choices that may not fit your exact requirements. NMEDA members customize the vehicle to your individual needs.
• Allow you to “try the vehicle on” or test the equipment before you buy.  You want to know how roomy the inside of the accessible vehicle will be – is there enough space to turn around easily? Will someone be there to walk you through the first time? NMEDA dealers do that.
• Train you on unfamiliar, specialized parts, like foot pedals and hand controls? NMEDA dealers work with driver rehabilitation specialists to help with this.
• Have a service program available 24-7? NMEDA dealers do that, too.

In fact, every NMEDA Quality Assurance Program (QAP) dealer is required to provide customers with 24-hour, seven-day-a-week service. QAP dealers must have a system which allows customers easy access to an after-hours answering service, service phone number or service beeper number. Dealers must respond to a service call within 30 minutes, and provide emergency assistance as warranted.

The dealer will talk a customer through a corrective action or emergency backup procedure, if possible. If the customer cannot complete the corrective action, a service person will be dispatched.

Face-to-face business. Personal training. 24-7 service. Ask an online-only dealer or non-NMEDA-member company if they offer any of that.

NMEDA is known as “The” association for providing safe and reliable vehicles and modifications, as it is backed by a top quality assurance program. Its QAP is the only nationally recognized accreditation program for the adaptive mobility equipment industry. Members include mobility equipment installers, structural vehicle modifiers, high-tech driving systems installers and more.

At www.nmeda.org, you can find a member for any kind of vehicle mobility company.

Quality: Not just a word

Because NMEDA’s Quality Assurance Program was developed to elevate the level of dealer performance to reliably meet consumers’ transportation needs in the safest manner possible, part of the accreditation process includes certificates of training, certificate of insurance, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration registration letter, and an auditing firm and site inspection to meet shop facility and equipment requirements. Yearly renewal of accreditation is mandatory.

Members are required to undergo an inspection/audit process at least annually by an independent auditing firm to ensure compliance to the NMEDA Guidelines, certain aspects of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and “Make Inoperative” mandates.

The QAP designation means enhanced vehicle modification and adaptive equipment installation meet the highest industry standards; and technicians are certified for the equipment they sell, install and service. It is the only program of this nature developed for the mobility equipment industry.

Ask an online-only dealer or non-NMEDA-member company if they offer that.

Visit the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association at www.nmeda.org to find a mobility transportation solution or to locate a qualified dealer.

Thinking of Purchasing a New Accessible Vehicle? Read this First.

As the number of people with disabilities keeps accelerating, so do the number of new companies that cater to them with newly engineered equipment and vehicles.

Normally a wider selection of products is good news for the consumer. However, be cautious, as new products don’t have a history of quality, reliability, durability and service. And if that product or vehicle is sold only over the Internet, a red flag should go up. The Internet is awash in marketing claims that you can’t test before paying.

Savvy consumers do not feel comfortable forking out thousands of dollars on an untried concept that is just entering the market – and rightly so.

Aside from the obvious considerations of safety, comfort and satisfaction of your unique needs, there is vital information to know before signing on the dotted line.

Getting it repaired

Are service places conveniently located everywhere?

If you purchase the vehicle and equipment online, where do you take it to be repaired without voiding the warranties? Hopefully in the same town, but that’s not always so.

Ask the company for a list of repair sites for that particular vehicle and adaptive equipment before getting to the purchasing process.

Fuel and space

• How’s the fuel economy? Compare it to others on the market. Fuel prices aren’t going down any time soon.
• How much real space is there? Options and add-ons may reduce the amount of space for seating or wheelchair maneuverability.

Get help from professionals

To feel more confident about any accessible or adaptive purchase, make sure the new vehicle company works with or is a member of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) and/or the Association of Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED), whose members typically work with a wheelchair user and a prospective vehicle for the best fit.

After all, you want your vehicle to fit your needs perfectly.

This mobility safety update has been brought to you by NMEDA – the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association. Need some information on how to make your vehicle wheelchair accessible or upgraded with the latest and most convenient features? Contact a NMEDA dealer in your local area. Your local NMEDA member is a mobility equipment and accessibility expert!

New ADA Standards Make Traveling Easier for People with Disabilities

It was reason to celebrate when The Americans with Disabilities Act was amended in July 2010. It gave people with disabilities even more reason to get up and go with improved access at recreational facilities across the country, including playgrounds, amusement rides, concert ticketing fraud prevention, and more.

New accessible standards will make it easier at swimming pools, golf courses and miniature golf courses, recreational boating facilities, exercise machines and equipment and fishing piers. The new standards also include courthouses, jails and prisons.

Ticketing – The provisions cover purchasing tickets for accessible seating, the sale of season tickets, the secondary ticket market, the hold and release of accessible seating to persons other than those who need accessible seating, ticket pricing, prevention of the fraudulent purchase of accessible seating and the ability to purchase multiple tickets when buying accessible seating.

Wheelchairs and Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices – Wheelchairs and scooters must now be permitted in all areas open to pedestrian use.

• The rule draws distinctions between wheelchairs and “other power-driven mobility devices,” such as the Segway® PT, which has not been universally recognized as a mobility device for people with disabilities, but is often used by those with disabilities as their mobility device of choice.
• Wheelchairs (and other devices for people with mobility impairments) must be permitted in all areas open to pedestrian use.
• “Other power-driven mobility devices” must be permitted unless the covered entity can demonstrate that such use would alter its programs, services or activities; create a direct threat; or create a safety hazard.

Reservations at places of lodging – The Title III regulation includes provisions for reservations made by places of lodging, including requirements for procedures that will allow individuals with disabilities to make reservations for accessible guest rooms during the same hours and in the same manner as other guests.

The rule will become effective six months after publication in the Federal Register.

Visit www.ada.gov/regs2010/ADAregs2010.htm for more information.

This mobility safety update has been brought to you by NMEDA – the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association. Need some information on how to make your vehicle wheelchair accessible or upgraded with the latest and most convenient features? Contact a NMEDA dealer in your local area. Your local NMEDA member is a mobility equipment and accessibility expert!