National Mobility Awareness Month

During May, National Mobility Awareness Month (NMAM) educates and engages people with disabilities. Further, this includes caregivers, healthcare professionals, and industry partners. With these various perspectives, this group helps drive change. NMAM shines a light on wheelchair accessible vehicles. It also provides information about many adaptive mobility equipment options available to assist individuals with limited mobility. This encourages people to live an active, mobile lifestyle.

Striving for Change During National Mobility Awareness Month

National Mobility Awareness Month is an invaluable opportunity for industry partners to educate their communities about mobility solutions. It’s even more powerful to see the ways in which these accessible vehicles change lives. That’s why we’re reaching for goals to make one message clear. Mobility is a right, not a privilege. Everyone who can benefit deserves access to this life-changing equipment.”

During the month of May, NMEDA and its members share information about mobility options available to those living or caring for a loved one with disabilities. These automotive mobility solutions include everything from safety features and driving accessories to wheelchair accessible vehicles and more.

Statistics and Information About Mobility Resources

Over 18 million people live with mobility issues. Among older Americans, mobility challenges are the most common disability. By raising awareness of mobility issues and solutions, we encourage progress. Mobility issues shouldn’t stop anyone from getting to their destination.

People with disabilities can drive or ride in a safe and comfortable way through increasing developments in automotive equipment options and wheelchair accessible vehicles. For example, some developments include driving controls that allow individuals to operate foot pedals. They are controlled by hand.

Children and Disability Issues

If you have a child with mobility issues, take the time this month to read about the different rights children with disabilities have in public schools.

Disability accommodations should be readily available because of:

• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – Every educational institution is required to meet the needs of students with disabilities.
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973) – A civil rights statute that protects students with disabilities against discrimination in schools. Schools are required to offer reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities, including actions such as seating in front of the classroom, testing that is not timed, and provision of necessary services.
• The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) – This federal law determines which students are eligible for special needs services in schools.

By educating ourselves on the rights available to those with disabilities and finding resources and equipment to help mobility, fewer obstacles will prevent people from living their lives to the fullest. In turn, this allows for more independence.