Electric Mobility Scooters

      Oh SNAP!!  Get ready to ascend! This is not your average wheelchair. It’s lightweight design of Aircraft-grade aluminum frame in a Silver Powder coating with flip-back armrests, side panels, a Linak Controller Box, powered by Nickel Metal Hydro battery, a convenient push-button for Stand-Up Position. It also features quick release axles, 24” x 1” high profile polyurethane tires, flat free front casters. It only weighs 56 lbs including the on board battery. The upholstery is made with high-grade flame retardant, breathable nylon, for easy cleaning. You could certainly “elevate” your independence with this.

It may often be hard to travel, or even just get around town with a bulky wheelchair in tow. That’s why folding wheelchairs are a smart choice for the days when you’re on the move.

Wheelchairs Abound offers a variety of folding wheelchairs. These simple chairs are easy to lift, and fold up small enough to fit into a car for easy, everyday use.

Wheelchairs Abound offers a variety of reachers for people with disabilities, and extremely important and helpful item, but one that is often overlooked. These help give disabled individuals more freedom and allow them to perform many tasks on their own. Here are some examples of reachers available:

• Bed rope ladder: helps those with paralysis or general weakness to pull themselves into a sitting position
• Dressing stick: assists in putting on shirts and jackets, pulling up pants and skirts, and removing socks
• Leg lift: helps lift legs into different sitting positions, or into a wheelchair
• General reachers: have a “hand” at the end that can be used to pick up items; they come in a variety of lengths

Public entities that have responsibility or authority over street, roads, or walkways must include in their transition plan a schedule for providing curb ramps or other sloped areas where pedestrian walks cross curbs. Priority must be given to walkways serving state and local government offices and facilities, transportation, places of public accommodation, and employers, followed by walkways serving other areas. Newly constructed or altered streets, roads, and highways must contain curb ramps or other sloped areas at any intersection having curbs or other barriers to entry from a street-level pedestrian walkway. Also, newly constructed or altered sidewalks or paths must contain curb ramps or other sloped areas wherever they intersect with street, roads, or highways.

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Adaptive automotive equipment offers people the means to regain the freedom they may have lost due to a disability. They must learn to operate adaptive automotive equipment in the same manner as people who drive with standard equipment and there are a variety of modifications available to enable drivers and/or passengers to motor safely across the country or across their neighborhoods. The ability to drive allows individuals with disabilities to stay active and it immeasurably improves the quality of their lives. Whether commuting to work, buying groceries, taking their children to school, going on vacation, or competing in adaptive sports, people with disabilities rely on adaptive motor vehicle equipment to keep them in the driver’s and/or passenger’s seat.

Below is a list of common adaptive automotive equipment designed for people with disabilities:
1. Brake and Accelerator Systems. These include mechanical hand controls, powered
brake/throttle controls, left foot accelerator, reduced effort brakes, and pedal extensions.
2. Steering Systems. These include reduced effort steering mechanisms and emergency
back-up systems, which enable drivers to safely and comfortably maneuver their vehicles.
3. Driver/Passenger Position Equipment. These include power transfer seats, removable
driver seats, transfer assists, seat cushions and straps, all of which help maintain proper balance and driving/passenger position.
4. Vehicle Access Devices. These include lifts, ramps, raised door openings, lowered floors, power door operators, and raised roof systems, which greatly improve the accessibility of many vehicles. Other devices include 4-point wheelchair
tie-downs, battery protector/back-up systems, wheelchair and scooter hoists, and suspension system modifications.

To locate a Mobility Dealer
in your area: Visit www.nmeda.org or call The National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) at (800) 833-0427.

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“LIVING IN STYLE”  TV SEGMENT Featuring: WHEELCHAIRSABOUND.COM

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The FHAA prohibits a wide array of activities that discriminate against persons with disabilities and families with children in the sale or rental of housing. The following specifically outlines illegal actions:                      

• Refusal to sell or rent a dwelling unit when a bona fide offer has been made, where the refusal is based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin.
• Imposing different terms and conditions or treating people differently with the provision of service because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin.
• Discouraging an individual from living in a community or neighborhood, if the restriction is based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin. This activity is frequently referred to as “steering.”
• Advertising, posting notices or making statements in such a way as to deny access to an individual if that denial is based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin.
• Misrepresenting the availability of a dwelling because of the applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin.
• Blockbusting by encouraging the sale or rental of a dwelling by implying that people of a certain race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or origin are entering the community in large numbers.

In these times of high gas prices, many are opting to use motorcycles as their primary mode of transportation. Unfortunately motorcycles offer very little protection to the rider. Therefore, motorcycle accidents, especially at high rates of speed, can easily cause spinal cord injury, leading to paralysis, nursing care and a lifetime of wheelchair use and other assistive devices. In addition to this, motorcycle fatalities have been steadily increasing.

Almost half of the fatal motorcycle accidents show alcohol involvement. One out of four motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes had an invalid license. Helmets saved approximately 1,158 lives in 2003; another 640 lives could have been saved if helmets were worn. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation motorcycle accident statistics, a motorcyclist is 16 times more likely to die in an accident than a motor vehicle occupant. Motorcyclists are also three times more likely to be injured than people in cars.

Wearing a helmet properly is mandatory under many state laws. These laws are subject to change, so it is a good idea to check with each state in which you intend to ride. State laws will apply to travelers as well as state residents. Don’t leave home without the information you need. Better yet, don’t leave home without wearing your helmet.

Some causes of Motorcycle Accidents 

• Lack of basic driving skills
• Failure to appreciate the inherent  operating characteristics
• Failure to appreciate the limitations of the motorcycle
• Failure to use special precautions while riding
• Failure to use defensive driving techniques
• Lack of specific braking and cornering skills
• Failure to follow speed limit
• Ways to Protect Yourself
• Never ride without a certified motorcycle helmet and eye protection
• Read your owner’s manual thoroughly
• Attend motorcycle rider educational classes
• Wear the proper shoes, gloves, and clothing
• Purchase a bike you can handle safely
• Consider the primary use of your bike
• Don’t buy a “trail” bike for highway use
• Similarly, don’t buy a “highway” bike if most of your riding will be off road
• Follow the “rules of the road” and drive defensively.