Tag Archives: handicap

National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2013

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Because We Are EQUAL to the Task

2013 NDEAM Poster

Held each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is a national campaign that raises awareness about disability employment issues and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. The theme for 2013 is “Because We Are EQUAL to the Task.”

NDEAM’s roots go back to 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” In 1962, the word “physically” was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to “National Disability Employment Awareness Month.” Upon its establishment in 2001, ODEP assumed responsibility for NDEAM and has worked to expand its reach and scope ever since.

Dodge Grand Caravan Wheelchair Van Conversion

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Dodge Grand Caravan with VMI Northstar Conversion

VMI first developed the Northstar handicap van conversion in the early 1990’s to meet customer preferences for increased interior space. To this day, the VMI Northstar on the Dodge Grand Caravan minivan remains one of the best mobility ramp vans in America.

By sliding out of a space below the floor, the Northstar mobility ramp maximizes space inside the accessible vehicle. There are so many benefits of an in-floor wheelchair ramp, it is easily understood why its so popular.

Dodge VMI Northstar at Automotive Innovations www.bridgewatermobility.com

VMI New England Dodge Northstar Wheelchair Van VMiNewEngland.com

Description
•Interior handles, and switches, buttons are easily accessed
•Front passenger seat retains regular functions
•No additional noise from handicap ramp
•In the event of an accident, the accessible ramp is under the floor-not inside the mobility van
•Works on curbs up to 10 inches tall
•Increased maneuverability due to greater space inside the accessible van
•Ramp-free doorway allows easy entry/exit for ambulatory passengers
•Minimized conversion wear and tear (fewer ramp cycles to load/unload additional passengers)
•Uncluttered and clean wheelchair vehicle interior
•Mobility vehicle interior gets less dirt inside
•Increased handicapped ramp width

Specifications
•Maximum Floor Drop – 11″
•Handicap Vehicle Ground Clearance – 5.5″
•Door Opening Width – 30.75″
•Door Opening Height – 55.125″
•Usable Mobility Ramp Width – 29.25″
•Wheelchair Ramp Length – 45.75″
•Length from Back Seats to Kickplate – 58.25″
•Overall Floor Length – 86″
•Floor Width at Front Doors – 61″
•Interior Height at Driver & Passenger Positions (Without Sunroof) – 58″
•Interior Height at Center Position – 57.63″
•Steering Wheel Bottom to Floor – 29.5″
•Measured Down from Front Edge of Steering Wheel to Front Kick-Up – 16.25″

Standard Features
Dodge Grand Caravan with VMI Northstar only
•Extremely-low 8.0° handicapped ramp angle
•Sure Deploy backup system leaves accessible van conversion usable even with power failure
•Manual secondary backup system for additional peace of mind
•800lb. handicap ramp weight capacity

Dodge Grand Caravan with VMI Northstar AND Summit
•Fully-powered accessible van ramp
•11” drop FLEX Floor maximizes interior space and headroom for better maneuverability
•Complete undercoating and rust proofing
•PowerKneel system lowers the minivan to reduce ramp angle
•Seamless integration with Dodge Grand Caravan vehicle electronics
•Complete control through Dodge keyfob and interior switches
•Removable front passenger and driver seat bases
•No-skid wheelchair ramp surfacing
•Complete crash testing and compliance with all government safety standards
•3-year/36,000-mile warranty

Optional Features
•Durafloor (rubberized flooring) to match Dodge Grand Caravan interiors


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Dodge Grand Caravan with VMI Summit Conversion

The Summit folding wheelchair ramp van conversion on a Dodge Grand Caravan is an economical choice compared to the popular Northstar in-floor handicapped ramp conversion from VMI. Summit mobility ramps utilize siderails that are 2 inches tall. This is especially important for those with a hard time navigating an incline. VMI Summit handicapped accessible van on the Dodge Grand Caravan also includes an industry best access ramp length of only 50.25”.

The short handicap ramp provides two key advantages to VMI customers. First, passengers can easily use the Dodge handle for the sliding door and switches because the handicapped ramp is not covering them. Second, users in wheelchairs have more room to move on and off the ramp when other vehicles park too close.

Dodge VMI Summit at Automotive Innovations www.bridgewatermobility.com

VMI New England Dodge Summit Wheelchair Van VMiNewEngland.com

Description
Dodge Grand Caravan with VMI Summit Only
•2” siderails help people with a disabilities stay on the ramp when coming in and out
•When other vehicles park too close, 50.25” ramp leaves users more room to maneuver
•By simply pushing outward on the ramp, it can be deployed incase of a mechanical/power failure
•Handicap ramp surface allows debris to fall through so it doesn’t end up inside the vehicle
•Mobility ramp has a quiet cabin dut to an anti-rattle device
•600lb. handicapped ramp rating

Dodge Grand Caravan with VMI Northstar AND Summit
•Fully-powered accessible ramp
•11” drop FLEX Floor maximizes head clearance and interior space for maneuvering a wheelchair
•Complete undercoating and rust proofing
•PowerKneel system lowers the minivan to reduce wheelchair ramp angle
•Total integration with Dodge systems prevents damage to vehicle/ conversion
•Accessible van conversion is controlled through interior sliding-door switches and Dodge keychain
•Easy-out passenger and front driver seat stands
•No-slip handicapped ramp
•Total crash-testing and compliance with all government standards for safety
•3-year/36,000-mile warranty

Specifications
•Maximum Floor Drop – 11″
•Mobility Vehicle Ground Clearance – 5.5″
•Door Opening Height – 54.25″
•Usable Wheelchair Ramp Width – 28.88″
•Handicap Ramp Length – 50.25″
•Length from Back of Seats to Kickplate – 58.25″
•Overall Floor Length – 86″
•Floor Width at Doors – 61″
•Interior Height at Center Position – 58″
•Interior Height at Drivers & Passengers Position (Without Sunroof) – 58″
•Steering Wheel Bottom to Floor – 29.5″
•Measured Down from Front Edge of Steering Wheel to Front Kick-Up – 16.25

Standard Features
•Power Folding Wheelchair Ramp with Non-Skid Surface
•Power Sliding Door with Easy Manual Operation
•Maximum Interior Headroom
•Undercoating and Complete Rust Proofing
•Manual Backup Ramp Operation
•Warranty – Mobiltiy Conversion Van
•Fully Crash Tested
•Remote Control Activation
•600 Pound Load Rating for Handicap Ramp
•9.7 Degree Handicap Ramp Angle

Optional Features
•Rubberized Flooring

Government Grants for People with Disabilities

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Find government grants and financing for handicap vehicles for people with disabilities nationwide. Money can be located with a little patience and a lot of research through various government programs. We’ve compiled a list of the most well-known government grant programs to assist your search for help funding a wheelchair van.When paying for a handicap van, you can use money from government grant programs for people with disabilities, as well other funding resources like disability grants, loans, fundraiser money, foundation endorsements, or any other funding source. We’ll work with your chosen foundations or any government grant program, after they verify financial assistance, to get you on the road!

To learn more about applying for wheelchair van grant funding to buy a handicap van or convert a pre-owned minivan, read “How to Apply for a Grant for Wheelchair Vans, Mobility Equipment, or Minivan Conversions.”

Government Wheelchair Van Financing Resources
Fund your wheelchair van with these government grant programs provided by the U.S. government and locally in your state.

Administration for Children & Families
On this website, new funding opportunities are displayed as they become available.

Grants.gov
The U.S. government resource listing federal grants available.

Medicaid
Sometimes provides assistance when children or other special circumstances are involved.

Medicaid/Department of Human Services (DHS)
Children are screened as part of the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) program of Medicaid. Under Medicaid’s “rehabilitative services,” people often receive handicap van or lift funding to achieve their “best possible functional levels.”

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
Located within each state’s Department of Human Services (per state), helps you prepare for work, train for a job, find a job, or keep a job as early as high school. Services are prioritized according to the severity of the disability.

Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)
Check your state’s branch for grant availability.

Division of Developmental Services (DDS)
Check your state’s branch for grants.Those with Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits from the Social Security Administration can contact the agency about its Plan to Achieve Self Support(PASS). A PASS plan sets aside income to buy equipment or services in a way that keeps income, as well as resources, below the SSI eligibility cut-off so there are no reductions in benefits. The emphasis is on whether the handicap van or equipment will help the SSI recipient become vocationally self-sufficient. It’s important for an individual to contact and receive the approval of Social Security before setting up a PASS plan. Once money has been set aside for a PASS, spending it on something else can result in the loss of SSI benefits.Please note: You can use multiple sources of funding that include grants, loans, and other funding assistance. If you’re unable to find government grants for people with disabilities or need to acquire more money to help pay for your wheelchair van and/or mobility needs, check out more opportunities at our mobility finance page.