Mark Wellman's relationship with Chevy Trucks represented one of the first times a major auto manufacturer partnered with a disabled athlete. Image Credit: Wellman Archives By Mike Savicki With his rock wall in tow, Mark Wellman, the Godfather of Outdoor Adaptive Sports, teaches, motivates and changes lives one climb at a time. Mark Wellman is the kind of guy who measures the depth of snow by the foot and the height of a rock face by the coils of rope he needs to summit it. He is a Californian through and through, not so much the So Cal surfing type but the Nor Cal mountain variety. To fi ..read more

Like their drivers, each adaptive vehicle is unique. That is why it is so important that the technicians who modify vehicles are specially trained to install mobility equipment. The easiest way to ensure your vehicle is being worked on by experienced technicians who follow strict safety guidelines is to choose a NMEDA dealer. In order to qualify for NMEDA membership, dealers must adhere to our Quality Assurance Program (QAP) which holds dealers and manufacturers to the highest levels of safety and service.  NMEDA QAP dealers are able to customize vehicles to fit the needs of their drivers ..read more

Manufacturer Service School Success in Texas & Headed to South Carolina March 20, 2024 The most recent Manufacturer Service School (MSS) event was held in Houston, Texas, from March 11 to 14. The four-day event attracted thirty technicians nationwide, offering immersive learning experiences, interactive demonstrations, and hands-on training sessions. Manufacturer presenters included Collebuit, MPS, Adapt Solutions, Mobility Innovations, Braunability (Evo seat), Sure Grip (hand controls and secondaries), and Qstraint. Check out the video to see what the technicians thou ..read more

When your accessible vehicle needs repairing, where do you take it? After checking the warranty, take it to the place where you bought it. But if you are out of town, have moved or it’s after hours, what do you do? You should know that answer before you need a repair or auto body shop. Call the company that sold it to you. If they don’t make repairs, they can find a service center near you that works with conversion vehicles. Check with your insurance company as they often make recommendations or have preferred shops. Get the list and research the shops. Contact shops and ask if they have ..read more

Hand controls allow people with physical disabilities the ability to drive accessible vehicles independently using alternative methods. If you want to drive safely, hand controls may be an option for many people. Hand controls allow the driver to operate both the brake and gas pedal using levers that are typically mounted below the steering wheel and attach to the pedals themselves. There are many types of hand controls and it is important to speak to a NMEDA dealer to find which best suits your needs. Here are some basic types to get you started: Push/pull controls must be pushed to brake an ..read more

NMEDA Showcases Auto Mobility Solutions at APTA Combined Sections Conference in Boston February 22, 2024 The NMEDA team braved the cold and snowy weather in Boston from February 15-17, 2024, to participate in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Combined Sections annual conference, held at the Boston Convention and Exposition Center. NMEDA’s Director of Partner Relations, Trevor Jennings, and Director of Education, Training and Conference, Amy Lane, joined forces with Kristina White from BraunAbility to engage with over 12,000 physical therapists from across the country in th ..read more

#007 Date: 02/02/24 QAPx E-Signature Upgrade, Final Inspection checks, New Calibration Provider QAPx E-Signatures: We are happy to share that QAPx has introduced electronic signature capabilities! Starting February 1st, you will no longer need to print and scan forms out of QAPx for customer signature. The ability to sign right on a tablet is now active. You will also be able to send the forms to the customer via email for them to sign electronically. To help you learn how to use this new feature, we have added training HERE. Please note, due to the development costs associated with ..read more

There are a wide variety of available options when it comes to choosing the right mobility solutions for your wheelchair accessible vehicle, but with the help of our local NMEDA dealers, Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists and informative blog posts, we hope to ease the decision making process. One of the most difficult decisions is whether to choose a ramp or a lift to guarantee safe entry into your mobility vehicle. Both options can get you safely in and out of a new or used wheelchair van, but really the decision is a matter of budget and personal preference. Choosing a Wheelchair R ..read more

Adjusting to a new lifestyle can take a toll on an individual physically and emotionally. Living with a disability can present challenges for everyone involved such as family, caregivers and friends. The National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) recommends the following helpful tips to manage a new disability. 1.)   Allow yourself time to come to terms with your new situation. It is completely normal and natural to feel frustrated, angry, and resentful when you are presented with mobility challenges that were previously second nature. If you are having trouble coping on ..read more

2024 Board Election Results January 11, 2024 Thank you to all members who voted in the 2024 NMEDA Board elections. NMEDA Board of Directors Re-Elected: Treasurer: Catherine Martin,  Ilderton Conversions Rep. at Large 3: Tammy Johnson, Superior Van & Mobility Rep. at Large 4: Corey Kupsh, A&J Mobility Newly Elected: President: Gina Lewis, Centre de l’auto St – Lambert Manufacturer Rep.: Matt Swope, BraunAbility New board members will be installed at the March Board of Director’s Meeting. Congratulations to our new and returning volunteer leaders! The p ..read more