Did you know more than 18 million people in the United States and Canada have mobility issues? Six million of those people are veterans. This May, the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) is sponsoring the first-ever National Mobility Awareness Month to spread awareness for people with disabilities and the mobility solutions available.
According to the Harris Poll, sponsored by the National Organization on Disability (NOD), just under one third of people with disabilities reported that inadequate transportation was a problem. Of those individuals, more than half said it was a major problem. The theme of the inaugural awareness month, Life Moving Forward, represents a desire to spread awareness and knowledge about mobility issues. The goal of National Mobility Awareness Months is to teach seniors, veterans and people with disabilities to live an active and mobile lifestyle through the use of wheelchair accessible vehicles and mobility equipment.
NMEDA selected a spokesperson for the month that has never let mobility issues slow him down. Mike Savicki, a freelance sports journalist, disability advocate and small business entrepreneur serves as the spokesperson for National Mobility Awareness Month. Savicki is a 69-time gold medalist in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. He is the only person to ever finish the Boston Marathon on both foot and a wheelchair.
How can you get involved?
As part of the National Mobility Awareness month, NMEDA is giving away three customized wheel chair vans to three local heroes that have overcome or are dealing with mobility issues. To nominate a local hero, submit a video or written story of about they have overcome or are dealing with mobility issues by May 13, 2012. Vote for your favorite local hero by May 13.
OH-4 and Mobility
OH-4 believes that mobility awareness is important. OH-4 Industries created the Nearly Universal Cup Holder as a convenient solution for people with disabilities. This cup holder easily attaches to the armrests of wheelchairs and scooters with Velcro brand fasteners.
