QUALITY ASSISTANCE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of NMEDA. All opinions are 100% mine.

Many people don't realize how hard it is, both physically and emotionally, to have a disability.  To have your independence taken away from you, whether the disability is inborn or from an accident.  The pain and frustration isn't limited to the person with disability, it affects the caretaker too.  

I am glad that there are still those who are committed to helping people with disabilities reclaim their independence.  One such association is NMEDA, a non-profit trade association of mobility equipment dealers dedicated to broaden opportunities with people with disabilities.  These dealers provide people with disabilities a chance to drive or be transported in vehicles modified with mobility equipment.  Not only do they provide mobility equipment but they also require their members to adhere to the safety standards of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  Their members follow the NMEDA guidlelines and update them yearly.  The NMEDA guidelines is a living document providing detailed recommended practices on equipment installation and modifications

NMEDA also has QAP or Quality Assurance Program dealers.  The QAP is the only nationally recognized accreditation program for the Adaptive Mobility Equipment Industry.  Which I really found nice because they base it on the principle that customers will be satisfied if companies have a systematic approach to quality.  This only means that they are very particular with the quality of products that their dealers are selling.  This is quite important especially since the products are for people with disabilities.  

If you have a friend or family member who is with disability,  please remember that no two people with disability are the same so it is important that you have someone like NMEDA's dealers help you evaluate and customize equipment.  It would not be safe to just buy something off the internet.  I suggest you go to NMEDA's website and search for a dealer, they have one in every zip code, just input your zip code and they will provide you with a list of qualified dealers.