Have you put in your Local Hero Story submission in yet?
Submissions opened up on February 25th!The month of May is National Mobility Awareness month dedicated to helping educate everyone on the options available out there for all the individual needs of the handicap community. It is Coming up quick so don’t let this amazing opportunity pass you by! Tell us your encouraging story or even a story of your loved one and how they have overcome adversity!
What you'll discover on the NMEDA website is a posting of inspiring stories by and about people with disabilities who are finding ways to overcome their mobility challenges. By submitting your story, not only may you win a free handicap van, you may find your story showcased via local and national media over the months ahead. After posting your story, encourage your peers, family and friends to vote for it as their favorite, and you'll be on your way to the possibility of receiving a free handicap van! It's entirely possible that you or a loved one may even wind up appearing on a TV show such as Ellen, Good Morning, America or The Today Show to share your story to an even more widespread audience! That's an extremely valuable means of spreading the message about mobility issues, as well as increasing your chances of winning a free handicap van!
Don't delay - visit http://www.mobilityawarenessmonth.com/ to learn more about the specifications for your entry, and get your story perfected and entered ASAP!
Your friends at Agor Enterprises have a motto that goes: "Giving you Access to the World" and we stand by that promise. We are excited about this contest, and wish you all the best with your story entry!
Some of the brands Agor Enterprises proudly sell include:
- ElDorado
- Vision by Viewpoint
- BraunAbility and
- AutoAbility Van Conversions
We also offer Harmar, Sterling, EZLock, Bruno and QStraint handicap accessories. Every employee at Agor Enterprises either has a family member or close friend who has mobility issues, so our entire staff is well-versed on making sure you find the perfect handicap van for your needs. Please CONTACT US with any questions or to schedule a test drive to best determine which model and brand will work best for you. We’ll also be happy to keep our fingers crossed for you that you win the free handicap van in this exciting contest!
Agor Enterprises wishes you all the success in the world as you share your story with the world and thereby insure your entry to win the free handicap van. Raising awareness of the general public as to the needs of those with mobility issues is extremely important. Whether you win a free handicap van or not, sharing your personal story is a great way to uplift, educate and inspire those who read it. Happy writing, and Happy Trails from your friends here at Agor Enterprises!
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Agor Enterprises provides and designs vehicle and in home mobility solutions making the world accessible for people with disabilities. Agor Enterprises is a member of NMEDA and is QAP certified. Agor Enterprises is committed to providing the highest standard of safety and service in the industry. Built on the principal that dedication, service to the customer, and quality are paramount in running a successful business, Agor Enterprises continues to be a leader in customized solutions for the physically challenged. Agor Enterprises has also equipped golf carts, lawn mowers, tractors, and houses with various adaptive devices. We continue to welcome challenges to provide solutions that enable independence.
These days, there is a wide variety of conversion options available for mobility-challenged drivers and passengers who seek to upgrade their vehicles. If you're new to the world of mobility conversions, stepping into a dealership can be an overwhelming experience. However, by doing the proper research, you can acquire the knowledge necessary to shop with confidence.
Below are 10 points to keep in mind when shopping for conversion upgrades and conversion vehicles. BraunAbility is the world's largest provider of wheelchair-accessible minivans. The company's president, Nick Gutwein, was kind enough to contribute to this article by sharing his insight.
1. Know your options. 
Thankfully, you have many alternatives from which to choose when it comes to mobility upgrades. You could install a scooter lift on your vehicle that lifts your scooter or chair and puts it in the trunk. You could install seats that articulate and lift the driver into and out of the vehicle. And of course, you could also opt to convert your vehicle with a ramp for wheelchair access. Which upgrade is best for you? The answer will depend largely upon just how mobile you are.
2. Tap your dealer's expertise.
An informed dealer can help you make sense of the various choices available to you, and can guide you toward the upgrade that best suits your needs. "Maybe the most important thing is to have a local dealer who understands your disability," says Gutwein. "The dealer can help you decide whether to go for a scooter lift, articulating seat or a full van conversion.
3. Choose an accredited dealer.
Mobility dealers differ from regular car dealers in that they need to have 24-hour, 7-day-a-week service capability; if your conversion vehicle has a breakdown, your dealer is expected to be on call to help you address the problem. The dealer's mechanics are also expected to have training that meets certain standards. The National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) is an organization dedicated to advocating for the provision of safe, reliable modifications in the conversion market. NMEDA offers a Quality Assurance Program (QAP) that's the only nationally recognized accreditation program for the adaptive mobility industry. Dealers who participate in the QAP must meet high standards regarding the services that they provide. Notes Gutwein: "If it's not a QAP dealer, it's a crap shoot."
4. Know the value of experience. 
The industry has a lot of people who do customized conversions. You want to avoid someone with a garage shop whose work in this segment is limited to three or four conversions a year; it's very important to choose a dealer who has a history and track record of performance. Look at the number of vans they've converted. How big is the company? Do they have customer satisfaction information? Is there data that shows that customers who've bought from them are happy with the product?
5. Get references.
Dealers or manufacturers should be able to provide you with recommendations of people who've purchased from them in the past. Get in touch with these references, and find out whether they're happy with the service they've received.
6. Consider the warranty.
If you're converting a new vehicle for wheelchair access, you'll want the conversion to offer the same warranty coverage that you get on the chassis: If there's 3-year/36,000-mile coverage on the chassis, for example, that's what you should get on the warranty. Though not all companies provide this, you'll get this level of coverage from a handful of top-tier converters.
7. Get the right fit.
If you're looking at potential conversion vehicles, one of the most important things to consider is the fit. Is the vehicle big enough, given your chair and your size, for you to easily enter and move around in? Also, is it big enough to accommodate the number of passengers that you typically carry? For some, a smaller SUV like the Honda Element will be large enough to do the trick, while others may have to opt for a minivan.
8. Decide whether you want a rear-entry or side-entry modification.
With conversion vehicles, you'll have the option of having your modification accommodate either rear or side entry. In a side-entry van, you can access both the mid-section and front of the vehicle while remaining in your chair. With rear-entry vans, you can typically only access the rear and mid-section of the vehicle while remaining seated. How narrow is your parking space? If you frequently face tight parking spaces, you might be better served by a rear-entry van. "Eighty-seven percent of the market is side entry, but it's still an important question," opines Gutwein.
9. Know the pros and cons of purchasing the chassis separately versus buying the vehicle pre-made.
If you're shopping for a conversion vehicle, you have the choice of either purchasing the vehicle pre-made, or buying a new chassis and then taking it to a conversion shop. There are time savings and convenience benefits associated with buying the vehicle pre-made. However, there may be cost savings associated with buying the chassis separately, if you're able to get a better deal from a non-mobility-focused dealer.
10. Prepare for a long day. 
In the mobility market, the dealer works as a consultant, carefully analyzing your needs with the aim of coming up with the product that represents the best solution. As a result, the selling process is typically a long one. Expect to spend at least a few hours in the dealership. You can shorten the process by arriving at the dealership with a clear picture of what your needs are, and what you'd like to accomplish with the conversion.
Agor Enterprises provides and designs vehicle and in home mobility solutions making the world accessible for people with disabilities. Agor Enterprises is a member of NMEDA and is QAP certified. Agor Enterprises is committed to providing the highest standard of safety and service in the industry. Built on the principal that dedication, service to the customer, and quality are paramount in running a successful business, Agor Enterprises continues to be a leader in customized solutions for the physically challenged. Agor Enterprises has also equipped golf carts, lawn mowers, tractors, and houses with various adaptive devices. We continue to welcome challenges to provide solutions that enable independence.
Now that you have made the decision to purchase a wheelchair accessible vehicle, you need to shop around for the best provider. Many folks turn to a mobility specialist dealer. Here are some considerations you may want to keep in mind when doing your research and shopping.
- Stock – What brands of vehicle does the dealer offer? Do they have a wide-range of vehicles for you to choose from? Do they provide both new and used choices? Do they convert other vehicles besides vans, like SUVs and trucks?
- Range of Conversions – Does the company offer the ramp and product options that are specified to your needs? Do their vehicles provide the safety features and equipment you need?
- Aesthetics – Which vehicle best fits your personality and will keep you happy in the long run?
- Location – Is the dealer close to where you live?
- Funds and Financing – Is purchasing from this provider beneficial to you in terms of cost? Do they provide a range of priced vehicles, or are all of their products around the same price?
- Reviews – What have others said about this company? Are they a reputable dealer or have they had issues? Does the dealer provide feedback from previous customers or is it hard to find customer reviews?
- On-Site Evaluations – In addition to the evaluation from my Certified Rehabilitation Specialist, will I receive another evaluation from the dealer? How will they know the equipment will fit properly? Will it be safe for me to drive?
- Training – Once I have purchased my vehicle, how will I learn to use my new equipment? Will the dealer provide me training? Will they be available to address any questions I may have regarding the use of my equipment?
- Customer Care – What does the company provide for you? Do they offer incentives like 24-hour local emergency service, warranties and/or trained Ability Specialists that can help you in your decision?
- Dealers – Is the mobility specialist well informed and up-to-date on the technical skills necessary in today’s mobility market? Do they belong to the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association – the industry association for safe and reliable transportation options for people with disabilities?
Each of these factors are important to consider during the buying process. Before making a decision, contact Agor Enterprises (your local NMEDA dealer) to assure the needs of your physical disability are met with your driving independence top of mind.
Agor Enterprises provides and designs vehicle and in home mobility solutions making the world accessible for people with disabilities. Agor Enterprises is a member of NMEDA and is QAP certified. Agor Enterprises is committed to providing the highest standard of safety and service in the industry. Built on the principal that dedication, service to the customer, and quality are paramount in running a successful business, Agor Enterprises continues to be a leader in customized solutions for the physically challenged. Agor Enterprises has also equipped golf carts, lawn mowers, tractors, and houses with various adaptive devices. We continue to welcome challenges to provide solutions that enable independence.
Recently, I had the opportunity to go on a tour and meet many of the employees at The Braun Corporation in Winamac Indiana. Even before my visit I knew Braun made great wheelchair vans, but being there and seeing their operation made me proud to sell Braun's great products.
Training focused on “Becoming a Mobility Expert.” Braun's program stresses that mobility consultants must focus on your needs first - only from there can we help you design a mobility system that will meet your needs. In order to provide the best solution for your individual needs, we must thoroughly understand features, benefits, limitations, and appropriate application of each BraunAbility product.
For a behind-the-scenes view of the quality and care that goes into each product, the class toured the manufacturing and vehicle assembly plants. Their factory is completly spottless, and they are orginized like no other company I have seen before.
Another highlight was the opportunity to interact with the person who started it all, Ralph Braun. His passion becomes contagious as he shares his story and personal experiences.
Without a doubt Braun makes the very best products in the industry. But what really makes the difference are their people. They take pride in every single aspect of the conversion process from start to finish. You can tell that they enjoy going to work. Braun works very hard to ensure the safety of their employees and their customers.
Take a look at their website Braunability.com and see a great story of a family owned American company.Agor Enterprises provides and designs vehicle and in home mobility solutions making the world accessible for people with disabilities. Agor Enterprises is a member of NMEDA and is QAP certified. Agor Enterprises is committed to providing the highest standard of safety and service in the industry. Built on the principal that dedication, service to the customer, and quality are paramount in running a successful business, Agor Enterprises continues to be a leader in customized solutions for the physically challenged. Agor Enterprises has also equipped golf carts, lawn mowers, tractors, and houses with various adaptive devices. We continue to welcome challenges to provide solutions that enable independence.
Founder of The Braun Corporation, Ralph Braun was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and told he would never see his 13th Birthday. Ralph Braun had two options: sit and wait for that prediction to come true or use those words as fuel to prove it wrong. He never gave a second thought to which path he would choose. Not only did Ralph live to see his 13th birthday, but he founded The Braun Corporation, the world’s leading manufacturer of mobility vehicles.
When Ralph could not longer rely on his own two legs, and he’d outgrown piggyback rides on his father’s back, he began using a wheelchair. Life went on, and Ralph was determined to find a way to keep up with it. He wanted an education, a career and a family, just like anyone else; he just had to work a little harder at it.
First he invented a motorized scooter, the Tri-Wheeler, so he could conserve energy and keep his job as a quality control inspector at a nearby factory. When the factory moved a few miles from his home, he outfitted an old postal jeep with hand controls and a hydraulic lift so he could have reliable transportation to and from work no matter the weather. As his mobility increased, so did attention from the disabled community.
Fifty years ago he was a young man in a wheelchair who needed to get to work.Today Ralph Braun is CEO of The Braun Corporation, the largest manufacturer of wheelchair-accessible vehicles in the world. Capitalizing on the age-old saying "Necessity is the mother of inventory" Braun refused to let his disability hold him back and, in the process, brought independence and mobility to thousands.
Ralph Braun’s book, Rise Above, tells the story of how self-reliance, common sense, and a refusal to accept the status quo led to one man's triumph in business and in life. To purchase: Rise Above: How One Man's Search for Mobility Helped the World Get Moving - Hardcover Feb. 15, 2010) by Ralph W. Braun visit http://www.braunability.com/rise-above.cfm.
Agor Enterprises provides and designs vehicle and in home mobility solutions making the world accessible for people with disabilities. Agor Enterprises is a member of NMEDA and is QAP certified. Agor Enterprises is committed to providing the highest standard of safety and service in the industry. Built on the principal that dedication, service to the customer, and quality are paramount in running a successful business, Agor Enterprises continues to be a leader in customized solutions for the physically challenged. Agor Enterprises has also equipped golf carts, lawn mowers, tractors, and houses with various adaptive devices. We continue to welcome challenges to provide solutions that enable independence.