Life Moving Forward The QAP Corrective Action System CAMS-HP and the Mobility Dealer Weight Labeling Requirements for Modified Vehicles ...and so much more! Summer 2017 | Volume 24 Issue 3 Issue 24 | Volume Summer 2017 THE NMEDA MAGAZINE An Industry Comes Together NMEDA Leads the Way at the VA org Valet® Signature Seating Valet® Plus Versatile. Safe. Reliable. Fully powered; smoothly rotates, extends, lowers Driver or passenger side, first or second row seating Meets or exceeds FMVSS standards Compatible with large number of vehicles Optional seat heat, posture vest, padded positioning belt 844-755-5543 • bruno.com Child safety seat LATCH Kit available! Bruno Independent Living Aids Scooter lifts | Turning vehicle seats | Stairlifts | Vertical platform lifts NMEDA CIRCUIT BREAKER SUMMER 2017 VOLUME 24, ISSUE 3 CONTENTS FEATURES COLUMNS THE NMEDA MAGAZINE 20 Choice 2.0 ...Again 8 President’s Message - By Michael Benoit - By Chad Blake President Chad Blake 22 NMEDA News Brief 18 CEO’s Message - Introducing the Mobility - By Danny Langfield CEO Makeover Program Danny Langfield - The Consumer Financial 38 Guidelines Group Talk - By Ray Morton Layout, Editor & Protection Bureau Creative Director Announces Arbitration Rule 44 Canadian Message Jenna DeTrapani 24 The QAP Corrective - By Russ Newton Contributing Writers Action System Chad Blake - By Chuck Hardy ALSO Danny Langfield Russ Newton 32 An Industry Comes 4 Board of Directors Cassie Churchill Harry Baergen Together: NMEDA Leads 6 Staff Directory & Ray Morton the Way at the VA A Note from the Editor Chuck Hardy - By Amy Schoppman Amy Schoppman 10 List of NMEDA Dealers Michael Benoit 36 CAMS-HP and the 30 QAP Dashboard Mobility Dealer The Circuit Breaker is published 46 Canadian Board quarterly by the National Mobility - By Cassie Churchill Equipment Dealers Association. of Directors Office located at 3327 W. 41 Industry Advisor: Bearss Avenue, Tampa, FL 48 Manufacturer/Associate 33618. For business office, Weight Labeling Member Directory advertising and subscriptions: Requirements for 53 Dates to Remember Tel: 813.264.2697 Modified Vehicles Toll Free: 800.833.0427 - By Harry G. Baergen, CET 54 Advertising Insertion www.nmeda.org Order Form [email protected] Subscription rates for the U.S.A and Canada: $16.50/4 issues. Back issues are available by calling the NMEDA office. All rights are reserved under copyright laws © 2017. Media note: Permission is granted NMEDA MISSION STATEMENT to quote or reprint from this Through our diverse membership NMEDA advocates and supports excellence publication. Please credit the Circuit Breaker. in providing safe, reliable vehicles and modifications to enhance accessibility for people with special needs. The articles published in the Circuit Breaker reflect the opinions of their authors, not NMEDA. As such, NMEDA neither takes a position on nor assumes responsibility for the TYPE FONT: Gotham ON THE COVER: © NMEDA accuracy of the information or statements contained therein. Summer 2017 3 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chad Blake, President Russ Newton, Canadian President Ability Center Howell Ventures 4797 Ruffner Street 4850 Rt. 2 Hwy San Diego, CA 92111 Upper Kingsclear, NB E3E 1P8 858-541-0552 phone 506-363-5289 phone 858-541-1941 fax 800-506-6666 fax [email protected] [email protected] Richard May, Vice President Anne Hegberg, Associate Rep. United Access Marianjoy Rehab Hospital 9389 Natural Bridge Rd 26W171 Roosevelt Road St. Louis, MO 63134 Wheaton, IL 60187 314-888-9450 phone 630-909-6080 phone 314-426-1081 fax 630-909-6081 fax [email protected] [email protected] Bill Koeblitz, Secretary Christian Quandt, Rep. at Large MobilityWorks Advanced Wheels of Technology, Inc. 810 Moe Drive 33 Bradley Park Road Akron, OH 44310 East Granby, CT 06026 800-638-8267 phone 860-653-8064 phone 866-836-0043 fax 860-653-4331 fax [email protected] [email protected] Jud DeMott, Treasurer Monique McGivney, Rep. at Large Access 2 Mobility, Inc. Ability Center 12406 State Highway 155 South 23606 N 19th Ave Tyler, TX 75703 Phoenix, AZ 85085 877-254-5438 phone 877-820-3789 phone 903-534-7101 fax 623-879-0822 fax [email protected] [email protected] Tim Barone, Manufacturer Rep. Eric Mansfield, Rep. at Large Vantage Mobility International (VMI) MobilityWorks 5202 S. 28th Place. 810 Moe Drive Phoenix, AZ 85040 Akron, OH 44310 800-348-8267 phone 800-638-8267 phone 602-243-9843 fax 866-836-0043 fax [email protected] [email protected] John Evans, Manufacturer Rep. Jeff Brummett, Rep. at Large B & D Independence, Inc. United Access 1024 Empire Street 9389 Natural Bridge Rd Mt. Carmel, IL 62863 St. Louis, MO 63134 618-262-7117 phone 314-888-9450 phone 618-263-3904 fax 314-426-1081 fax [email protected] [email protected] Sam Cook, Past President Superior Van & Mobility 4734 Rockford Pl. Louisville, KY 40216 502-447-8267 phone 502-657-1930 fax [email protected] 4 NMEDA Circuit Breaker COMING SOON NEW FEATURES • Increased 450 lb. lifting capacity • Compatible with heavier power chairs and scooters • Available in two and three axis designs NEW FEATURES • New standard dual remote provides safe, easy hardware and wireless operation with lockout feature • New rear hatch safety sensor disables lift when rear hatch is closed • New puddle light for platform illumination low-light settings Mobility Made Easy To find a compatible lift for your vehicle/mobility product, use our @ pridemobility.com/lift-finder US: 800.800.8586 • CAN: 888.570.1113 • pridemobility.com • NMEDA STAFF DIRECTORY Danny Langfield CEO [email protected] Kristen Clevidence QAP Coordinator [email protected] A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR We welcome another new member to the NMEDA team this season! Jenna DeTrapani Director of Communications Trevor Jennings has been hired as our new Circuit Breaker Editor Director of Partner Relations, beginning [email protected] August 1. Trevor relocated to Tampa from the Dallas, Texas area in mid-July. He will be very involved in our industry and public Chuck Hardy VP of Quality Assurance & Compliance relations efforts as well as business develop- ment for NMEDA. Please join us all in [email protected] welcoming Trevor to the NMEDA team. You may have also noticed that the month Peter Lucas of June came and went with no mention of Education & Training Director our annual Local Heroes Contest. Look to our short announcement on page 22 of this [email protected] issue explaining what NMEDA is doing in this area. Rest assured that much is going on behind the scenes. A new and exciting Marilyn Myers Meetings & Conferences Manager program, of the likes you have never seen before, is in the works... [email protected] If this column were 56 pages long (the exact length of the Circuit Breaker issue currently in your hands) I’d hardly be able to outline Doris Santiago Cruzado Membership Coordinator everything that is happening at NMEDA, although I’d be more than happy give it a [email protected] shot! But perhaps I’ll just let the articles speak for themselves, and I’m sure you’ll find multiple topics of interest to you and Amy Schoppman Director of Government Relations your business within these pages. I wish you all a safe and happy remainder [email protected] of your summer. Hopefully you have many adventures planned. Trevor Jennings Happy reading, Director of Partner Relations Jenna DeTrapani [email protected] Circut Breaker Editor 6 NMEDA Circuit Breaker Summer 2017 7 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE CHAD BLAKE (SUPERIOR VAN & MOBILITY) The NMEDA President, Chad Blake, has worked over 12 years in the industry and is the Chief Operations Officer (COO) for Ability Center. He welcomes the opportunity to serve his fellow NMEDA dealers as our dynamic industry continues to change and evolve. Chad believes that if the NMEDA members, as a group, put the customer first, communicate with each other effectively and act as transparently as possible, our industry and NMEDA will thrive. Everything that we do in the auto mobility industry revolves around Dear NMEDA Members the concept of improving an individual’s personal mobility and independence. t’s hard to believe that 2017 is half “ way complete! Every year, it seems To that end, NMEDA supports the Ithat time goes by faster. I hope that everyone is having a great year. industry in achieving this outcome.” We recently celebrated Independence Day (4th of July) in the U.S., which is a ing in Washington, DC regarding In conclusion, NMEDA continues to great time to enjoy friends, family, and the implementation of the Veterans develop, strengthen, and enhance fireworks. More importantly, it gives us Mobility Safety Act. A strong con- its relationships with various part- an opportunity to celebrate the birth tingency of NMEDA members were ners that serve the same customer of our great nation and celebrate our present and offered public comment. – the person with a disability. Every individual independence. I appreciate everyone’s advocacy month, the NMEDA staff seems to be As I feel grateful for my personal efforts and look forward to NMEDA’s traveling to support these groups. independence, it also reminds me continued involvement in helping the I believe that this effort will pay to celebrate the fact that each of us VA shape this law into operation. off, because it will raise the aware- have really great jobs. We get the Providing personal independence to ness of what our industry does and, opportunity to help our customers our customers is not the job of the ultimately, connect the local dealer to improve their personal mobility, mobility dealer alone. We all rely on with the local partner. The end goal which also gives them an additional certified driver rehab specialists to is that both can better serve their level of independence.