Three Questions to Ask Your Mobility Consultant about Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

When beginning your search for a wheelchair van in MA, RI, CT, VT, NH & ME, it is important to know which questions to ask your Mobility Consultant.  This could be the first time that you are going through this process, and VMi New England and Automotive Innovations wants you to have a memorable experience.

We encourage your questions to help make purchasing your wheelchair accessible vehicle enjoyable and educational. Here are five of our most frequently asked questions proposed to our Mobility Consultants.

 Do you have a service department for wheelchair van repairs?

Our technicians are highly trained and certified and are able to handle any problems you may have with your wheelchair accessible van.  By adhering to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), becoming a Quality Assurance Program (QAP) facility, Automotive Innovations has shown its dedication to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities every day.

Can I test drive a wheelchair accessible vehicle before I purchase one?

Yes you can!  Our “Try Before You Buy” program means that you can test out our vehicles before you make your purchase, so that you can determine which vehicle will suit your needs.  Please contact us for more details.

How do you determine which wheelchair accessible vehicle will be right for me?

Our consultants take every step to get to know our customers to ensure that you purchase the right wheelchair accessible vehicle for you. Our Mobility Consultants go through a detailed step-by-step process to learn about your specific needs in order to get you the proper wheelchair van type, size and modifications to your wheelchair van.

This mobility update has been brought to you by Vmi New England and Automotive Innovations your Bridgewater, MA New England NMEDA Mobility Dealer – Need some information on how to make your vehicle wheelchair accessible or upgraded with the latest and most convenient features? 

Contact us your local mobility equipment and accessibility expert!

Jim Sanders is one of of the most experienced people in the country at building High-Tech driving equipment and vans for passengers and individuals who drive from a wheelchair. He offers a unmatched practical and theoretical foundation in the application of vehicle modifications for individuals with disabilities. With over 25 years experience, he continues to spearhead new and exciting technological advancements in this growing and emerging market.

Wheelchair Motorcycle : A New Kind of Mobility

If you have limited mobility due to a disability, you may think riding a motorcycle is simply out of the question. As the leader in mobility features and transportation for people with disabilities, Automotive Innovations takes that as a challenge. Believe it or not, there are several motorcycles that have been developed including one built from a BMW motorcycle that is made with the specific needs of people with disabilities in mind.

Jim's passion for motorcycles is unwavering he has worked on wheelchair accessible motorcycles for more than 10 years with features like an EZ-Lock wheelchair locking system to keep you safe and sturdy, interior storage departments to secure your belongings, a passenger seat for your favorite partner in crime, and an automatically controlled rising and lowering access ramp for a hassle-free ride.

If you’re a daredevil at heart, like Jim, and want an exciting way to get around, see if he can up fit a motorcycle just for you. Do you need to bring a little adventure to your life and experience the open road. Whether it’s for daily trips to run errands, a casual Sunday drive, or a road trip across state lines, you’ll get a kick out of the ease and comfort that comes with driving a wheelchair accessible motorcycle. If you are no longer able to ride a standard motorcycle but are not ready to give up the thrill of the ride, contact Automotive Innovations and find out how Jim Sanders and the mobility experts at Automotive Innovations will change your life!

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This mobility update has been brought to you by Automotive Innovations and VMi New England – Need some information on how to make your vehicle wheelchair accessible or upgraded with the latest and most convenient features? Feel free to give us a call.

Our goal for the past 25+ years here at VMi New England and Automotive Innovations Bridgewater, MA, Massachusetts, is to provide our customers with access to the best sales, service and repair for all the leading wheelchair accessible mobility vehicles, hand controls and devices that can offer you greater freedom and independence. We offer a full line of adaptive mobility equipment and  VMI wheelchair accessible vans, and have a team of Certified Mobility Consultants who are always ready to help you learn about the benefits and features of full sized handicap vans, new and used wheelchair vehicles, Ricon lifts, adaptive mobility equipment, and more.

VMi New England and Automotive Innovations1000 Main St  Bridgewater, MA 508-697-6006

Jim Sanders is one of of the most experienced people in the country at building High-Tech driving equipment and vans for passengers and individuals who drive from a wheelchair. He offers a unmatched practical and theoretical foundation in the application of vehicle modifications for individuals with disabilities. With over 25 years experience, he continues to spearhead new and exciting technological advancements in this growing and emerging market.

Jim is also an avid motorcyclist, extreme snowmobiler and ATV'er, if you are even in need of snowmobile, atv or motorcycle modifications feel free to contact him directly.

The Clara Barton Society : American Red Cross

In Washington, D.C., humanitarians Clara Barton and Adolphus Solomons found the American National Red Cross, an organization established to provide humanitarian aid to victims of wars and natural disasters in congruence with the International Red Cross.

Barton, born in Massachusetts in 1821, worked with the sick and wounded during theAmerican Civil War and became known as the "Angel of the Battlefield" for her tireless dedication. In 1865, President Abraham Lincoln commissioned her to search for lost prisoners of war, and with the extensive records she had compiled during the war she succeeded in identifying thousands of the Union dead at the Andersonville prisoner-of-war camp.

She was in Europe in 1870 when the Franco-Prussian War broke out, and she went behind the German lines to work for the International Red Cross. In 1873, she returned to the United States, and four years later she organized an American branch of the International Red Cross. The American Red Cross received its first U.S. federal charter in 1900. Barton headed the organization into her 80s and died in 1912.

This mobility update has been brought to you by Automotive Innovations and VMi New England – Need some information on how to make your vehicle wheelchair accessible or upgraded with the latest and most convenient features? Feel free to give us a call.

Our goal for the past 25+ years here at VMi New England and Automotive Innovations Bridgewater, MA, Massachusetts, is to provide our customers with access to the best sales, service and repair for all the leading wheelchair accessible mobility vehicles, hand controls and devices that can offer you greater freedom and independence. We offer a full line of adaptive mobility equipment and  VMI wheelchair accessible vans, and have a team of Certified Mobility Consultants who are always ready to help you learn about the benefits and features of full sized handicap vans, new and used wheelchair vehicles, Ricon lifts, adaptive mobility equipment, and more.

VMi New England and Automotive Innovations1000 Main St  Bridgewater, MA 508-697-6006

Jim Sanders is one of of the most experienced people in the country at building High-Tech driving equipment and vans for passengers and individuals who drive from a wheelchair. He offers a unmatched practical and theoretical foundation in the application of vehicle modifications for individuals with disabilities. With over 25 years experience, he continues to spearhead new and exciting technological advancements in this growing and emerging market.

YMCA's Touch a Truck Event at Sullivan Tire

Vmi New England and Automotive Innovations were proud to be part of the YMCA's Touch a Truck Event at the Sullivan Tire in Bridgewater, MA on Sunday May 19th 2013

We had kids and adults get to see some of the mobility options available from Vmi New England located at 1000 Main St Bridgewater, MA 02324 to wheelchair users.

Hundreds of people had the chance to learn a little bit more about accessible vans and are now able to help spread the word about mobility awareness.

This mobility update has been brought to you by Automotive Innovations and VMi New England – Need some information on how to make your vehicle wheelchair accessible or upgraded with the latest and most convenient features? Feel free to give us a call.

Our goal for the past 25+ years here at VMi New England and Automotive Innovations Bridgewater, MA, Massachusetts, is to provide our customers with access to the best sales, service and repair for all the leading wheelchair accessible mobility vehicles, hand controls and devices that can offer you greater freedom and independence. We offer a full line of adaptive mobility equipment and  VMI wheelchair accessible vans, and have a team of Certified Mobility Consultants who are always ready to help you learn about the benefits and features of full sized handicap vans, new and used wheelchair vehicles, Ricon lifts, adaptive mobility equipment, and more.

VMi New England and Automotive Innovations1000 Main St  Bridgewater, MA 508-697-6006

Jim Sanders is one of of the most experienced people in the country at building High-Tech driving equipment and vans for passengers and individuals who drive from a wheelchair. He offers a unmatched practical and theoretical foundation in the application of vehicle modifications for individuals with disabilities. With over 25 years experience, he continues to spearhead new and exciting technological advancements in this growing and emerging market.

Touch-A-Truck at Sullivan Tire in Bridgewater this Sunday

Bridgewater:

Sullivan Tire will host a Touch-A-Truck event at the Bridgewater store Sunday, May 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will benefit the Old Colony YMCA in East Bridgewater.

Kids of all ages are invited to explore, climb upon, touch and learn about many of the large, unique working trucks they see every day.

Along with unique working trucks they will be able to learn about wheelchair accessible vans and help spread awareness about the different mobility equipment and mobdifications available.

The cost is $10 per carload and proceeds benefit the YMCA’s Annual Campaign.

Sullivan Tire is at 300 Bedford St. (Route 18) in Bridgewater.

For more information, call 508-659-5255.

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This mobility safety update has been brought to you by Automotive Innovations and VMi New England – Need some information on how to make your vehicle wheelchair accessible or upgraded with the latest and most convenient features? Feel free to give us a call.

Our goal for the past 25+ years here at VMi New England and Automotive Innovations Bridgewater, MA, Massachusetts, is to provide our customers with access to the best sales, service and repair for all the leading wheelchair accessible mobility vehicles, hand controls and devices that can offer you greater freedom and independence. We offer a full line of adaptive mobility equipment and  VMI wheelchair accessible vans, and have a team of Certified Mobility Consultants who are always ready to help you learn about the benefits and features of full sized handicap vans, new and used wheelchair vehicles, Ricon lifts, adaptive mobility equipment, and more.

VMi New England and Automotive Innovations1000 Main St  Bridgewater, MA 508-697-6006

Jim Sanders is one of of the most experienced people in the country at building High-Tech driving equipment and vans for passengers and individuals who drive from a wheelchair. He offers a unmatched practical and theoretical foundation in the application of vehicle modifications for individuals with disabilities. With over 25 years experience, he continues to spearhead new and exciting technological advancements in this growing and emerging market.

VMI DEALERS CREATE RESPONSE PROGRAM FOR VPG CRISIS

New England. –May 14, 2013 – Automotive Innovations and other top dealers for Vantage Mobility International (VMI), a leader in the manufacture and distribution of wheelchair accessible full-size and minivan conversions, are rallying around MV-1 owners. When top media outlets reported that Vehicle Production Group (VPG), producers of the MV-1, had shut down operations, VMI and their dealers created an emergency response phone number and internet clearing house to help consumers who may have difficulties getting service and parts. MV-1 owners in  New England who would like to speak with local representative call 508-697-6006

Out side of New England can call 1-855-VPG-VANS or visit www.VPGCrisis.com.

“For more than 25 years, wheelchairs users and their caregivers have trusted VMI and our dealers to solve their mobility challenges,” said Doug Eaton, president and CEO of VMI. “In fact, our top priority has always been to take care of our customers. That’s why we appreciate our Select Dealer Network taking the initiative to create a support program for MV-1 owners and help ensure that none of them are left stranded. If we can help just one customer get out of a safety bind or access reliable mobility transportation, we’ll have played a positive role in this mess.”

The VPG crisis hotline and website is set up to help MV-1 owners find some answers to their questions and navigate through the uncertainty of VPG’s future.

“We’re prepared to go to great lengths to help VPG customers who’ve been left in the dark,” said Jim Sanders president of the VMI Select Dealer Network and founder of Automotive Innovations and VMi New England. “Safety and customer satisfaction are our top priorities for our customers. That’s why we’re saddened that a wheelchair user might experience additional hardship in finding service for their MV-1.”

VMi New England, offers a variety of support options for their mobility customers including:

• Certified technicians on the equipment they sell, install and service
• 24 hour customer service
• Over 25 years of wheelchair accessible vehicle modification experience
• Maintenance records of all adaptive work
• Commitment to volunteerism, event sponsorships and donations within the mobility community

ABOUT VANTAGE MOBILITY INTERNATIONAL

VMI is a manufacturer and distributor of the most innovative, reliable, highest quality and easily accessible transportation in the world. Their full line of products include domestic and import minivan conversions, full- size van conversions, platform lifts, scooter and wheelchair lifts and transfer seats. VMI's mobility products enable consumers to travel with comfort, convenience and peace of mind. For more information.

This mobility update has been brought to you by Vmi New England and Automotive Innovations your Bridgewater, MA NMEDA Mobility Dealership – Need some information on how to make your vehicle wheelchair accessible or upgraded with the latest and most convenient features? 

Contact us your local mobility equipment and accessibility expert!

Jim Sanders is one of of the most experienced people in the country at building High-Tech driving equipment and vans for passengers and individuals who drive from a wheelchair. He offers a unmatched practical and theoretical foundation in the application of vehicle modifications for individuals with disabilities. With over 25 years experience, he continues to spearhead new and exciting technological advancements in this growing and emerging market.

Obtaining a Wheelchair Accessible Van

A wheelchair van is more obtainable than you realize

Automotive Innovations, Your New England Mobility Resource understands a wheelchair van is much more than a way to get around. It means independence, a higher quality of life and freedom. We also understand that people with disabilities often struggle with medical bills, limited income and other financial obstacles that can make owning a handicap van seem unrealistic.

A wheelchair van is more obtainable than you realize. Numerous grants and reimbursements are offered from varied sources. And now you’ve found the most comprehensive online resource for wheelchair van financial assistance options. Explore the links below to discover the available grants, rebates and reimbursements for buying a wheelchair van or modifying a car with adaptive driving equipment.

OEM Rebate Programs
Learn about rebates offered by original equipment manufacturers. Vehicle manufacturer programs that give money back on new wheelchair vans or handicap van conversion equipment are a great way to cut your costs.

Organizations that Award Grants
See a list of nonprofit organizations and associations that award grants to people with physical disabilities. Grants can significantly offset the expense of a wheelchair van or adaptive driving equipment.

Financial Aid for Veterans
Find sources of funding for veterans of the U.S. military. Most veterans are eligible for partial or complete aid for acquiring a wheelchair van.

Assistance for Families with Disabled Children
Read about aid benefiting families of children with special mobility needs. Grants for physically disabled children help families afford a handicap van.

State Grants
Search for grants given out by your state. Every state provides financial aid to the physically disabled. Your state government is an essential source to help make a wheelchair van, accessibility modification or adaptive driving controls more affordable.

If you work with or know of another agency or organization that should be listed here, please pass along any pertinent information to: Jim Sanders, Director of Interactive Marketing, Jim@abilityvan.info