The National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) is pleased to announce the 2014 National Mobility Awareness Month Campaign (NMAM). This year marks the third year for what has now become a successful annual contest in which now four deserving “Local Heroes” will be awarded a wheelchair accessible vehicle tailored to meet their needs through an online contest.
Caregivers, friends and family members are invited to submit entries either written or videotaped stories of how they are triumphing over their mobility challenges.
Included in this year’s campaign is Ivan Weber of St. Michael. Weber, a husband and father of two, has had cerebral palsy since the age of 3, but now is experiencing deterioration of the muscles in his legs, leading doctors to search for another diagnosis.
His limited mobility has made it difficult to use the current family vehicle, so his supporters are hoping Ivan can win the new MV-1 Mobility Van, featured as top prize in this competition.
.Story submissions began in February, and voting began March 11th. Submission and votes will be accepted through May 9th. Winners for 2014 will be announced during National Mobility Awareness Month in May.
In 2013, 1,225 entries received 2.3 million votes from across the country that resulted in three deserving Local Heroes in Lexington, Kentucky, Villa Park, Illinois and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada being awarded fully customized wheelchair accessible vehicles.
Joining the effort this year as a sponsor is Mobility Ventures LLC, designer and manufacturer of the MV-1, the first American vehicle purpose-built and designed from the ground up in support of wheelchair users to meet or exceed the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), is joining the 2014 National Mobility Awareness Month Campaign as a Local Heroes Contest Vehicle sponsor.
“We are proud to be a part of the 2014 Local Heroes Contest. We believe in the mission of the National Mobility Awareness Campaign to educate seniors, caregivers and people with disabilities about wheelchair accessible vehicles and adaptive mobility equipment options,” said Mobility Ventures Vice President, Sales and Marketing, John Walsh. “MV-1 is the perfect vehicle for this contest as it is universally designed, allowing people of all abilities equal access to a quality, safe and inclusive transportation option.”
“NMEDA is very pleased and grateful to have the MV-1 donated by Mobility Ventures,” said Dave Hubbard, NMEDA Executive Director and CEO. “Local Heroes are from all walks of life and we define them as people who volunteer, educate, advocate, achieve and persevere.”
About National Mobility Awareness Month: May is National Mobility Awareness Month and is the annual celebration that encourages seniors, veterans, caregivers and people with disabilities to enjoy active, mobile lifestyles. Founded in 1989 as a not-for-profit trade association, the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) supports the awareness month with the assistance of approximately 600 mobility equipment dealers, manufacturers and driver rehabilitation specialists located in the United States and Canada dedicated to expanding opportunities for people with disabilities. For updates, please visit MobilityAwarenessMonth.com, as well as Facebook, Twitter (@NMEDAcom) and Pinterest.
About Mobility Ventures LLC
Mobility Ventures is an industry innovator in purpose-built paratransit vehicles for public and private transportation providing design, engineering, marketing, sales, and customer service support. Mobility Ventures is a wholly owned subsidiary, of AM General LLC. Please see more information about Mobility Ventures at www.mv-1.us
About AM General
AM General designs, engineers, manufactures, supplies and supports specialized vehicles for military and commercial customers worldwide. AM General has more than five decades of experience meeting the changing needs of the defense and automotive industries, supported by its employees at major facilities in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, and a strong supplier base that stretches across 43 states. Please see more information about AM General at www.amgeneral.com