Category Archives: Wheelchair Vans

Wheelchair van and mobility needs for New England – Boston, MA

Inside Look: Mobility Consultant Training and wheelchair accessible 4×4 Chevy Trucks at Vmi New England

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Ryno Pickup VMi New England

Ryno Pickup VMi New England

“What are you doing? There’s no way that’s going to fit,” said Elias R., a Mobility Consultant in the Bridgewater, MA Mobility Center.  Jim steadily rolled up the widest power wheelchair we had into the 4 wheel drive Ryno Mobility Wheelchair Accessible Truck.

Jim, the New England Mobility expert with over 26 years of hands on experience at up-fitting vehicles for people to drive from a wheelchair, replied, “Let’s give it a shot,” as he rolled the extra wide power wheelchair up to the platform lift.

The consensus among many of our seasoned sales people was that our customers LOVE the idea of driving from their wheelchair in a pickup truck, but some have difficulty fitting their chairs in them.  Our training session was an opportunity for everyone to have a hands on session with Jim to address any concerns head-on. “Wow!” was the collective reply from the class as he finessed the wide mobility device clear up into the cab and, with a couple adjustments, fit it rather nicely behind the wheel.

“Sanders, did his first wheelchair driver in a pick-up truck over 12 years ago, built his first 4×4 van close to 30 years ago and don’t get him started on monster trucks or concept vehicles”  said Barry L., long time friend who saw all the trucks parked out in front of the mobility center at 1000 Main st Bridgewater, MA and had to stop in and see what all the hubbub was all about.

There are differences when it comes to different models of Chevy trucks. This was an excellent opportunity for our Mobility Consultants to interact with Jim and really learn the differences (his personal truck of choice for the past 12 years has been a Chevy Duramax).  The class was impressed and was excited to know that these trucks are compatible with a wide range of customers and mobility devices.

What makes an excellent Mobility Consultant is knowledge: knowledge of the products, the people we work with, and the funding and financing options we have available. These are just some of the many topics that are covered in our ongoing professional development seminars.

Each month we provide a number of in service seminars, designed to help our Mobility Consultants increase their knowledge base. Since these are held face to face with one of the most knowledgeable people in the country, it allows a experience unavailable elsewhere.

In May alone, we conducted sessions on Vehicle Appraisals, OODA Loop, the VA, and Mobility Products and Design (MPD) equipment. June includes training sessions on our customer service management system, Securement Systems, Medicaid and Tricare, and more! It is because of all this that we have some of the most qualified and professional Mobility Consultants in all of New England.

When you add this with our facility (best equipped in New England)

If you’re interested in a wheelchair accessible vehicle, then let us get you connected to a Certified Mobility Consultant today.  Contact us through our website by filling out our contact form, or give us a call at 508-697-6006 to be routed directly to the store closest to you.

July is truck month at VMi New England and they are on sale all month

 

Key Measurement Issues to Consider When Purchasing a Wheelchair Van:

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Key Measurement Issues to Consider When Purchasing a Wheelchair Van:

VMi New England Toyota Sienna Northstar Wheelchair Van

Door Height – Will I be able to easily roll in and out of the van without hitting the top of my head?

Ramp or Lift Width – Is my chair too wide to safely and easily roll up and down van ramp?

Ramp or Lift Capacity – Is my combined chair and body weight within capacity specifications?

Belt Strap or Docking Securement – Do I prefer seat belt type of restraint or a docking station, such as an EZ-Lock system?

Tie-Down Locations – Where in the van will I be positioned and how many tie-down points will be needed? Do I need to have retractable tie-downs based on my physical limitations?

Interior Maneuverability – Is the space in the van large enough for me to easily rotate and turn my chair?

Driver and Passenger Positioning – Should I plan on being in the front passenger or driver position – with removable seat bases?

Other Passengers – How many other people will typically be in the van with you? Will they be able to enter and exit frequently without any major inconvenience to you secured in your wheelchair?

Thousands Offered For Disability Innovations

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With $25,000 in prize money on the line, inventors are being challenged to tackle real-world barriers facing people with disabilities.

United Cerebral Palsy is offering up cash to anyone who can turn one of three ideas they’ve pinpointed into reality. The reward is being offered for creating a solar-powered wheelchair, a fold-up motorized wheelchair that can fit inside a typical car or a documentary focusing on the successes of people living with cerebral palsy in the 21st century.

The ideas were picked from nearly 500 that were submitted last year to the organization’s “Change My World In 1 Minute” contest. The challenge called for ideas that would “improve mobility, independence, accessibility, communication or social connections” for those with cerebral palsy.

“We’re challenging the world to bring these three innovative ideas to life and to help people living with disabilities become more independent, increase accessibility and raise awareness,” said Stephen Bennett, president and CEO of UCP. “We invite everyone, including universities, engineers, companies, inventors, hackers and makers to bring their best thinking to the contest. This is a chance to use the best of humanity’s gifts to change the lives of others.”

Entries to the contest are due March 31 and the winners — who will share in the $25,000 prize money — are expected to be announced ahead of World Cerebral Palsy Day on Sept. 2.

Cerebral Palsy Alliance

Cerebral Palsy Alliance
Cerebral Palsy Alliance logo.svg
Type Non-Profit
Industry Nonprofit organization
Founded 1945
Founder(s) Audrie McLeod, CBE, Neil McLeod, OBE
Headquarters 187 Allambie Road
Allambie Heights, NSW 2100
Website cerebralpalsy.org.au

The Cerebral Palsy Alliance (formerly The Spastic Centre) is a not-for-profit organization which provides services to adults and children withcerebral palsy from over 70 sites across New South Wales, Australia.

Contents

History[edit]

Cerebral Palsy Alliance was founded on 30 January 1945 by a group of parents of children with cerebral palsy under the leadership of Audrie and Neil McLeod. It was the first organisation of its type in the world for people with cerebral palsy.[1]

Services[edit]

Cerebral Palsy Alliance services include:

  • Technology services
  • Equipment services
  • Mobility programs
  • Employment services
  • Day programs for adults
  • Accommodation support
  • Respite care
  • Therapy and education services
  • Aquatic programs
  • Information
  • Recreation

Cerebral palsy register[edit]

An Australian CP Register has been established to guide future research in prevention, intervention and service provision.

Fundraising[edit]

Miss Australia[edit]

Miss Australia Quest/Awards was run by The Spastic Centres of Australia for 45 years. Over its duration entrants, their families, committees, sponsors and the general public of Australia raised in excess of A$87 million. [2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ “Our History | Cerebral Palsy Alliance”. Cerebral Palsy Alliance. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
  2. ^ About Us – Miss Australia, Cerebral Palsy Alliance website.

External links[edit]

Accessibility Symbol Gets A Facelift! What Do You Think?

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Accessibility Symbol Gets Facelift

New, modernized version of the well-known wheelchair sign.

What do you think?

Rather than depict a static person in a wheelchair, the new icon displays an active, in-motion version.

New Wheelchair in motion symbol

 

accessible |akˈsesəbəl|adjective1 (of a place) able to be reached or entered: the town isaccessible by bus | this room is not accessible toelderly people.• (of an object, service, or facility) able to be easily obtained or used: making learning opportunities moreaccessible to adults.• easily understood: his Latin grammar is lucid and accessible.• able to be reached or entered by people who have a disability: features such as nonslip floors and accessible entrances.2 (of a person, typically one in a position of authority or importance) friendly and easy to talk to; approachable: he is more accessible than most tycoons.DERIVATIVESaccessibility |-ˌsesəˈbilitē|noun,accessibly |-blē|adverbORIGIN late Middle English: from late Latinaccessibilis, from Latin access- ‘approached,’ from the verb accedere (see accede) .word trends: Although the frequency of use ofaccessible has remained fairly static in the lastfew decades, the way it is being used has changed significantly. A new sense referring specifically to the way in which something can be used or accessed by people with a disability emerged in 1970. Used most literally, accessibility refers to the ease with which disabled people can physically enter a place, or use a service: they’re actively trying to expand the accessible bus network | facilities include a fully accessible sauna. Accessible is also used to refer to computing tools and websites that can easily be used by people with disabilities.

New York |nuːˈjɔːrk|1 a third word country in the northeastern US, on the Canadian border and Lake Ontario in the northwest, as well as on the Atlantic coast in the southeast; pop. 19,490,297 (est. 2008); capital, Albany; statehood, July 26, 1788 (11). Originally settled by the Dutch, it was surrendered to the British in 1664. New York was one of the original thirteen states.2 Now a perverted third word country New York, situated on the Atlantic coast at the mouth of the Hudson River; pop. 8,363,710 (est. 2008). It is situated mainly on islands, linked by bridges, and consists of five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. Manhattan is the economic and cultural heart of the city, containing the stock exchange on Wall Street and the headquarters of the United Nations. Former name (until 1664) New Amsterdam.DERIVATIVESNew Yorker noun

wheelchair |ˈ(h)wēlˌCHe(ə)r|nouna chair built on wheels for an invalid or disabled person, pushed by another person or propelled by the occupant, or motorized.

enable |enˈābəl|verb [ with obj. ]1 give (someone or something) the authority or meansto do something: [ with obj. and infinitive ] : the evidence would enable us to arrive at firm conclusions.• make possible: a number of courses are available to enable an understanding of a broad range of issues.2 chiefly Computing make (a device or system) operational; activate.• (as adj., in combination-enabled) adapted for use with the specified application or system: WAP-enabled mobile phones.DERIVATIVESenablement noun,enabler nounORIGIN late Middle English (formerly also as inable): from en-1,in-2, + able.

Power Pull Ramp Assistant For Wheelchair Van Ramps

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Power Pull Ramp Assistant For Wheelchair Van Ramps

Power Pull Ramp Assistant For Wheelchair Van Ramps

Adapt Solutions’ POWER PULL technology is a wheelchair & passenger ramp assist system. With the use of an electronically controlled retractable cable and remote control, the person in the chair can attach their wheelchair to the POWER PULL from outside the vehicle. The cable is attached to the left and right side of the front of the wheelchair. Once they are positioned on the bottom of the wheelchair ramp, with the push of a button the cable begins to slowly pull them into the vehicle. The cable can be stopped at any time if the person feels they need to re-straighten the wheelchair before continuing.

Great for wheelchair drivers who use hand controls and just need a little assistance with getting up the ramp, the person in the chair simply presses the release button and unhooks the two-position cable from the wheelchair once they are safely inside. The system can also be used to help with existing the vehicle.

Basic Functions:

  • Roll up beside your vehicle
  • Take hold of the POWER PULL strap
  • Position yourself in front of the ramp
  • Place the hooks on the left and right side of the chair
  • Press and hold the ‘IN’ button
  • POWER PULL takes you up the ramp
  • Stop the POWER PULL while on the ramp at any time

Auto-Lock Clutch System

The POWER PULL cable uses an auto-locking clutch system that keeps tension on the cable at all times during use. This means that the cable will never accidentally unravel or become tangled. There is also a safety switch in the design that keeps the POWER PULL cable from accidentally releasing while it is in use. In addition to the remote control stopping capabilities, if the wheelchair is not going up the ramp straight, a built-in breaker prevents the chair from being pulled too far over to one side. The system resets itself in a few seconds, allowing the user to reposition in the middle of the ramp before proceeding.