Benefits of Buying an Accessible Vehicle from a NMEDA QAP Member
Buying a wheelchair accessible vehicle isn’t like buying a car off the lot. Cars on the lot—even accessible ones—probably don’t have the exact equipment your disabilities call for; the dealership usually doesn’t have a salesman who understands your particular difficulties or a service person certified to install or maintain adaptive equipment; and no one responds to your phone calls at 2 in the morning if anything goes wrong.
Only a mobility dealer who is a member of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) with Quality Assurance Program (QAP) status can guarantee all that—and more. They have a track record to stand on and the products and services to excel in the industry.
That’s because NMEDA is a non-profit trade association of members who work with driver rehabilitation specialists and you to customize a vehicle for your unique needs. Members include mobility equipment installers, structural vehicle modifiers, high-tech driving systems installers and more who are trained to install and service the specialized products they sell, and are trained to work with people with disabilities on an individual basis.
MNEDA’s QAP is the only nationally recognized accreditation program for the Adaptive Mobility Equipment Industry. Members are required to adhere to the safety standards of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and to follow NMEDA Guidelines.
QAP dealers have a litany of requirements, including:
- Annual inspection/audit process to ensure compliance to NMEDA Guidelines, Americans with Disabilities Act, and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
- Certified welders if they perform structural modifications to vehicles.
- Technicians certified for the equipment they sell, install and service.
There is real value in working with an accredited mobility dealer, including 24-hour emergency service, availability of a large number of makes and models, facilities that exceed ADA requirements and a wide range of equipment that can be purchased and installed as needed and even updated over time if your needs progress.
Explore the NMEDA site. Learn how to buy, what to buy and read the blogs. See the benefits for yourself. And find a mobility dealer near you at www.nmeda.org/dealerlocator.
The National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) is an advocate for mobility and accessibility for drivers with disabilities. If you need help with converting or buying a handicap accessible car, truck or van, please consider one of our mobility equipment dealers.