Posted by Natasha Collier on Fri, Jul 30, 2010 @ 09:37 AM
Buying a wheelchair van for the first time can be overwhelming and we want to simplify the process by answering every question that a potential customer may have. One of the major questions surrounding a
purchase is, of course, the price. We acknowledge that it may be difficult to afford a necessary piece of equipment such as a wheelchair van. Thankfully, though, there are
various resources that can be utilized when making such a large purchase. In our new series Wheelchair Van Funding, we will detail these various sources, financing options, Government agencies, Non-profit organizations.
Chrysler, Ford, GM, Saturn and many other automobile manufacturers offer “Mobility Programs” which were established to provide rebates to disabled drivers for the installation of adaptive equipment in any new vehicle, whether purchased or leased. Most lifts and carriers are eligible for reimbursement under the terms of these mobility programs. Companies such as BraunAbility offer special financing options unique to the customer’s own situation.
As always, speaking with one of our Mobility Specialists is a great way to know if there are special options available to you when it comes to financing or funding your vehicle purchase. We work closely manufacturers to assure our customers get the best possible value.
The Toyota Mobility Program
This program provides cash assistance of up to $1,000 of the cost of adaptive equipment, comprehensive mobility resource information, and it offers flexible, extended-term financing of up to 84 months for the vehicle and the adaptive equipment. They suggest a thorough review of NMEDA’s Comprehensive Automotive Mobility Solutions presentation to learn about the different types of vehicles and adaptive equipment. You can also speak with one of our Mobility Specialists who can evaluate your needs.
Reimbursements must be applied for by the original vehicle purchaser within 90 days of the completion of the adaptive equipment installation. Equipment installations must be completed within 12 months of the new Toyota vehicle delivery date.
For more information, contact the Toyota Mobility program (800) 331-4331 or (800) 443-4999 – TTY
Visit the Toyota Mobility Program Online
Chrysler Mobility Program
The Chrysler Automobility Program will provide cash reimbursement to assist in covering the cost of installing adaptive drive or passenger equipment on a vehicle. Conversions to minivans may be reimbursed up $1000 while all other Chrysler Corporation cars, and trucks qualify for a maximum of $750.
For more information, contact the Chrysler Mobility Program toll free at 800-255-9877 (TTY Users: 800-922-3826). In Canada call 800-265-6908 or 313-916-9448.
Visit the Chrysler Automobility Program Online
Ford Mobility Motoring Program
The Ford Mobility Motoring Program offers financial assistance of up to $1,200 for the installation of adaptive equipment, and up to $200 on alerting devices for hearing impairments, lumbar seats and running boards on new Ford Motor Company vehicle purchases or leases.
For more information, contact the Ford Mobility Motoring Program toll free at 800-952-2248 (TTY Users: 800-833-0312). In Canada call 800-565-8985.
Visit the Ford Mobility Program Online
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program
Under the GM Mobility Reimbursement Program, a customer may be reimbursed up to $1,000 of the cost of any eligible aftermarket adaptive equipment when installed (or reinstalled) on any eligible purchased or leased new vehicle manufactured by GM, including Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, HUMMER, Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Saturn divisions.
To take advantage of the GM Mobility Reimbursement Program, vehicles must be adapted within 12 months from the date of purchase/lease and a claim submitted within 90 days from the date of adaptation.
Please call the GM Mobility Assistance Center at 1-800-323-9935 (TTY 1-800-833-9935) with any questions. In Canada call 800-263-3777 or 905-644-6624.
Visit the GM Mobility Reimbursement Program online
Honda Customer Mobility Assistance Program
The Honda Customer Mobility Assistance Program is proud to support the mobility needs of drivers and passengers with physical disabilities. Honda will provide a reimbursement of up to $1,000 to each eligible, original retail customer for expenses incurred to purchase and install qualifying adaptive equipment on any eligible purchased or leased Honda vehicle.
For more information, contact Honda Automobile Customer Service 800-999-1009
The reimbursement request must be made within six months of the adaptive equipment installation.
Visit the The Honda Mobility Assistance Program Online
There are also options from the manufacturers of many popular accessibility products. BraunAbility offers a credit program that is easy and convenient, with competitive, low rates and flexible terms. Call BraunAbility (888) 690-1039 or speak with your Mobility Speacilist.
Visit the BraunCredit Program Online
Buying an accessible van doesn't have to be an unpleasant experience, even when you're thinking about money. Our Mobility Specialists want to help with any question or concern. Begin by contacting us with any questions you may have on vehicles. If you're ready to make your decision, fill out our Secure Financing Application and you'll be on your way.
Posted by Natasha Collier on Wed, Jul 28, 2010 @ 11:54 AM
BraunAbility, the world’s largest manufacturer of accessible van conversions, has introduced a new addition to its fleet. The brand new Rampvan XT, will be featured on the chassis of the Toyota Sienna. While we have seen what BraunAbility can do with Toyotas in its previous models, 
the Rampvan XT is sleek and dependable. The new 2011 Toyota Sienna with BraunAbility’s Rampvan XT Conversion offers full independent wheelchair-accessible travel in one of the safest, most dependable minivan chassis available. You will be absolutely amazed at the comfort and reliability of the Toyota Sienna minivan and BraunAbility’s thoughtfully designed mobility features.
The Rampvan XT’s lightweight aluminum side-entry ramp is available in a fold-out option and features a durable non-skid powder coated finish. Extending the ramp is fully automated, allowing access for independent wheelchair users, and may be activated via the van’s OEM keychain remote control.
The 2011 Rampvan XT is more spacious than the original 
Rampvan conversion, with a 56’’ door height and larger rear cargo now that the spare tire has been moved to a compartment below that cargo area. Third row roll-and-tumble seats also fold forward to offer additional cargo space when needed. With all the extra space, Braun has also added a fold-down footrest for added comfort when sitting in the back seat. When the rear seat is not in use, the footrest folds away seamlessly.
The Rampvan XT by BraunAbility features a “kneeling” system, which automatically lowers the rear suspension while the ramp is extended to 
allow a gentle ramp slope. The interior floor of the ramp van is lowered to allow easy maneuverability and wheelchair accessible seating in multiple positions, including driving position, a full conversion is chosen. The driver and passenger seating can be removed easily. Each of BraunAbility’s ramp van conversions also includes a floor track and belt system to secure wheelchair travel. Optional retractable belt systems are available, as well as dealer-installed tie-down systems.
Not only is the BraunAbility conversion state of the art, the chassis is the highest of quality and dependability. The 2011 Toyota Sienna received top safety pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and earned the most 2010 Best Overall Value Awards of any brand. Combining the acclaimed Toyota Sienna and BraunAbility’s superior wheelchair conversion process, the Rampvan XT will provide you with the safest, most comfortable ride possible.
For any questions, including financing, please contact one of our Mobility Specialists. To see if you qualify for conventional financing, use our Secure Financing Application. There are also organizations that can be contacted for information regarding assistance when purchasing an accessible van.
Not sure if you’re interested in the Rampvan? We have a wide variety of accessible vans to fit your needs. Let us know what you’re looking for and we can find the right van for you. We pride ourselves on helping our customers with the van purchasing process, by making the experience as easy and rewarding as possible.
Have a comment? Leave one below or fill out the form below for more information regarding the 2011 Toyota Sienna Rampvan XT.
Posted by Ann Bransom on Thu, Jul 22, 2010 @ 09:34 AM
Monday July 26 marks a historic day for people with
disabilities. 20 years ago, on June 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law. This ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. The ADA defines a disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities (i.e. working, talking, hearing, seeing, caring for one’s self), having a record of such impairment, or being regarded by others have having an impairment such as individuals with severe facial scarring.
The Americans with Disabilities Act guarantees equal opportunities for individuals who have a disability and promotes the inclusion of people with disabilities into every aspect of society. The ADA protection applies to the areas of employment, state and local government services, public transportation, privately-operated transportation available to the public, places of public accommodation and telephone services offered to the public. All over the United States, people will be celebrating the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in different ways.
In Ohio, the Rehabilitation Services Commission is the state agency which partners Ohioans with disabilities to achieve quality employment and independence. There are agencies within the RSC which handle Social Security, rehabilitation services, and services for the visually impaired. The RSC is one of the chief sponsors of ADA celebrations in Ohio. There will be events at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, Toledo, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Euclid, Youngstown, and Dayton. Here is a sampling of the ADA 20th anniversary events in Ohio:
Columbus
When: July 26, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Where: Ohio Statehouse (Capitol St), Columbus
What: Hear from elected officials, see the beautiful ADA mural and photo projects by Ohioans with disabilities, enjoy live entertainment and learn more about services when you visit information displays and booths.
Sponsored by: Mid-Ohio Board for Independent Living Environment and Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission
Cincinnati
When: July 26, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (11:30 a.m. program) Where: Fountain Square (Fifth & Vine Sts.), Cincinnati
What: Celebrate accessibility for all and the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Sponsored by: Center for Independent Living Options
Cleveland
When: July 26, noon – 5:00 p.m.
Where: Mall A in downtown Cleveland
What: Festivities and speakers include Mayor Jackson, ADA Anthem, St. Augustine Deaf Choir, 20th Anniversary commemorative poem (premier reading), balloon launch and color guard.
Sponsored by: Linking Employment, Abilities & Potential and community partners.
Dayton
When: July 26th and 27th, 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Where: Access Center for Independent Living
901 S. Ludlow St
Dayton OH 45402
What: Community Living Expo, Learn about a variety of assistive devices and community resources that help you or someone you know remain independent at home. Vendors will display and explain accessibility equipment and during the expo there will be group learning opportunities on topics such as: Disability Rights and Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, HIPAA and ARRA, Transition to Work, and many more. Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and learn ways that people with disabilities can stay independent and active in their communities.
Sponsored by: Access Center for Independent Living
If you attend any of these events, please take pictures and post them on our Facebook page. We would love to see people in the community celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
We want to make things easier for all people with disabilities, whether it is home modifications, seating, or lowered floor conversions. Please contact one of our Mobility Specialists if you have any questions about a product or service we provide.
Posted by Ann Bransom on Tue, Jul 20, 2010 @ 10:09 AM
Recently, BraunAbility announced an expansion to its line of products. In addition to the new 2011 Toyota Rampvan XT, BraunAbility will now be offering the Honda Entervan, which rounds out the BraunAbility line of conversion vans.
The new 2010 Honda Odyssey Entervan is the newest member of the fleet and offers the same accessibility and convenience of other vehicles. We are pleased to offer this van in our inventory. Both the 2010 Honda Odyssey EX and 2010 Honda Odyssey EX-L are available now. Whether you are a first time conversion van buyer or you are looking to upgrade, we are confident that you will be satisfied with your purchase. Contact one of our Mobility Specialists today for more information about the brand new 2010 Honda Odyssey Entervan EX and Entervan EX-L.
With just a touch of a button, the door will open automatically and the ramp will fold out for ease of entry. In fact, the key and key fob operates the entire system. There are also several interior switches placed for your convenience.
Here are some more of the great conversion features of the 2010 Honda Odyssey Entervan:
- OEM Keychain Remote Control
- Kneeling Rear Suspension
- Removable Passenger Seat
- Removable Driver Seat
- OEM Automatic Passenger Sliding Door
- Automatic Foldout Ramp
- 12'' Lowered Floor
- Wheelchair/Occupant Securement System
- Interior OEM Control Switches
- Custom Ground Effects
- 54 3/8" Door Opening
We have the 2010 Honda Entervan in stock right now. It boasts these vehicle features:
- Power Doors
- Power Windows
- Power Mirrors
- Power Driver Seat
- Power Locks
- Power Hatch
- Air Conditioning
- Rear AC/Heat
- FM Stereo
- CD Player
- Tilt
- Cruise Control
- Leather Seats
- Roof Rack
- Automatic Transmission
- Fuel Type: Gasoline
For more information, contact one of our Mobility Specialists. They can answer any questions that you may have about mobility conversions and mobility equipment.
What do you think of the new Honda Entervan? Let us know in the comments below!
Posted by Natasha Collier on Thu, Jul 15, 2010 @ 02:23 PM
We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to maintain their independence, which is why we offer a wide variety of options for wheelchair accessible van conversions. We recommend that customers upgrade their
mobility equipment every three
years; so if you’ve purchased a conversion van or mobility equipment in the last few years, it is important to start thinking about upgrades. Shopping for upgrades can be a daunting task, but our Mobility Specialists can make it easy for you.
Do you need a seat that allows you to transfer from your wheelchair to either front seat? Is what you’re looking for is a completely automated lift that will fold out at the touch of a button? Edmunds.com and BraunAbility have put together a comprehensive list of things to think about when shopping for your conversion upgrades and conversion vehicles.
Here are a few things to think about when shopping for conversion upgrades:
- Know Your Options. We offer many alternatives when it comes to mobility upgrades and your options depend largely on how mobile you are. For example, we have brake extenders and hand controls for people with simple range of motion problems as well as amputees. The possibilities are not limited for people with disabilities
- Tap your dealer’s expertise. Our Mobility Specialists are well-equipped to handle all of your questions. Need to know the weight of a ramp? How about the turning radius of a turning automotive seat? Our representatives are able to handle all of those questions and more.
- Choose an accredited dealer. NMEDA is an Association of Mobility Dealers, Manufacturers, and Rehabilitation Professionals that advocates providing safe, reliable vehicles and modifications to enhance accessibility for all people. Mob
ility dealers have mechanics that are expected to be trained to meet the standards of the mobility industry. NMEDA offers a Quality Assurance Program, a accreditation program for the adaptive mobility industry. M.C. Mobility System is a QAP dealer. We are also recognized by the Adaptive Driving Alliance. ADA members are highly skilled and trained and offer the best products on the market in van conversions, handicap vans, car hand controls, wheelchair lifts, scooter lifts, tie downs, wheelchair accessible van rentals, paratransit and other driving aids.
- Know the value of experience. M.C. Mobility Systems, Inc was established in 1985 by Mark DiRosa and Carmen Paterniti to provide vehicle and housing modifications for the physically challenged. Our Mobility Specialists have over 100 years of experience in the mobility and automotive industries.
- Get references. Let us know if you would be interested in speaking with other customers who have purchased with us in the past. We would be happy to provide you with references. Get in touch with these references, and find out if they’re happy with the service they’ve received.
- Consider the warranty. We honor manufacturer warranties on service. Feel free to contact Mobility Specialist for more information.
- Get the right fit. If you want to purchase a vehicle, one of the most important things to think about is fit. Will the vehicle fit your wheelchair and accessories as well as any passengers who may ride with you? Some may need a larger mini-van, while some can opt for a smaller SUV.
- Decide whether you want a rear-entry or side-entry modification. When you’re looking to purchase a conversion vehicle, this is another of the most important things to think about. If you’re concerned about the amount of room that you have to park in, you may want to opt with a rear-entry. In side-entry vans, you can access both the mid-section and front of the vehicle while remaining in your chair. However, with a rear-entry vehicle, you can generally only access the rear and mid-section of your vehicle while remaining seated. This is something that you can discuss with a Mobility Specialist at great length.
- Know the pros and cons of purchasing the chassis separately versus buying the vehicle premade. It is important to always purchase from a qualified mobility dealer. Having someone other than a mobility shop convert your vehicle for you can be dangerous. Speak with our Mobility Specialists about the cost differences in purchasing a conversion vehicle or having your vehicle converted.
- Prepare for a long day. While we work to make your experience as quick and easy as possible, it is still important that a dealer analyze all of your needs to put together a complete package. Feel free to bring all of your own questions. We recommend taking a look at our inventory and making notes on products that are of interest to you. You can also start the conversation by submitting a product or vehicle information request.
We want to make the sales experience as easy as possible for you. Let us know if you have any questions or leave your thoughts in the comments section below. Not sure where to start? Begin your search with our Mobility Solution Finder.
Posted by Natasha Collier on Fri, Jul 02, 2010 @ 08:57 AM
We gave you a glimpse into the lives of our LDN Lambs which were purchased to help raise money for the LDN Research Trust. Each store along with the marketing department named their lamb and took pictures of them hard at work. But here at the Mobility Blog, we got a tip about a very special lamb.
So, without further adieu: the Adventures of The Great Durbinovich starring Linus Durbinovich as himself.
Linus Durbinovich, world class adventurer, seeker of thrills, bon vie von, and all around "Good Guy" decides to join forces with the MC Mobility Systems outside Marketing Team to spread the word and make the world more accessible to those in need.
Unable to gain official employment with MC due to his lack of a valid Social Security number, Linus cleverly mails himself to his target partner in marketing...
Not having taken into consideration the delay in the UPS Ground Service, and the ensuing weekend before delivery, Linus unwittingly endangers his very existence...
At last the exhausted and oxygen deprived Linus, aka the Great Durbinovich , extricates himself from his self imposed imprisonment...
After having barely escaped being thrown out with the "junk" mail, Linus calms down and offers his services to the MC marketer, sometimes called McMarketeer. So as not to cause a scene McMarketeer suggests that Linus conceal himself in McMarketeer's briefcase to begin there.
"Wait!" Linus exclaims..."don't you think it would be a good idea to get rid of the evidence of my arrival before we go setting off on any Adventures?"
Having disposed of the evidence of his arrival...without throwing up, Linus once again takes up a position of concealment in McMarketeer's briefcase...
Upon making it to McMarketeer's office on wheels, Linus takes his station on the dash and inspects everything within reach....
McMarketeer and the Great Durbinovich set off on their adventures in mobility marketing, but they don't get very far until Linus's curiosity gets the best of him...
"I wouldn't mess around with that if I were you," McMarketeer advises... " I'd hate to see you fall from there..."
"You know your behind is going to be brown." McMarketeer comments...being a master of the obvious. "Do you have any idea how you're going to get the stain out?"
It looks like Linus had a full day at M.C. Mobility Systems. Check back for the continuing saga of The Great Durbinovitch.
Posted by Natasha Collier on Fri, Jun 25, 2010 @ 08:38 AM
At M.C. Mobility Systems, we care about the issues that are important to our customers. This includes research and clinical trials for medicines that can help their condition. We became aware of the LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone) Research Trust through our Facebook page. The LDN Research Trust is raising awareness of LDN Research which is a drug that helps regulate a dysfunctional immune system in autoimmune diseases such as Cancers, HIV/Aids, Fibromyalgia, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Crohn's etc. One of their fundraisers is the sale of LDN Lambs which have now been sold all over the world.
M.C. Mobility Systems purchased six of the adorable little lambs and sent them to our stores to become mascots for LDN Research awareness. One is currently living in our Marketing Office, our Corporate Offices in Mentor, OH, as well as stores in Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati. The lambs have fit right in at each store, answering telephones, fetching coffee, and greeting customers.
Each store named their lamb and gave them personality. The lambs even like to go on adventures! We hope you enjoy taking a peek into the life of an LDN Lamb at M.C. Mobility Systems!
Tyler -- the Mentor Lamb
Upon arriving at our corporate headquarters in Mentor, Tyler got right down to business and headed straight for the wheelchair van service department.
Tyler, who is very committed to improving efficiency in the shop, allowed us to take a snapshot of him posing in a Braun Entervan.
Tyler is having a great time up in Mentor, home of President James Garfield. Word has it that he's taken over the Accounting Office.
Fluffy -- The Cincinnati Lamb
Manager Cassy Bell recounted Fluffy's adventures at our Evendale store.
Fluff likes to play in the cars, sometimes he even drives. He greets our customers as they come in to the store and opens the door when they leave. What a special greeting too! Fluff like to help me and Beth with the files and jobs, he even makes copies for Beth. Sometimes he just likes to copy his butt though. That is how we knew he was a boy, because girls are more mature than that. In the morning Fluff makes the coffee and we know when he's had too much because he has a hard time make it out of the cup. Fluff sure is silly. Fluff really like to keep 
me company in my office because he knows how stressed out I am. He helps me send out emails sometimes but it takes him a long time to type because he doesn't have any fingers, so he is "in the weeds" just like me! One day he was asking us "who is my mom?" He looked all over the office, he found a painting of a water buffalo and thought for sure that was his mom, but sadly it isn't. So we decided that he should go on another adventure and leave the store, so Fluff punched out, got some water and left the office.
We hope Fluffy found his mom! Hopefully he'll make it back into the store so he can sell some wheelchair vans!
Colambus -- The Columbus Lamb
Colambus got to the Columbus store and decided that crew was too much to handle and immediately went on vacation. He thoroughly enjoyed himself in Tennessee, though, and really isn't that what matters?
Colambus discovered that he's an avid tree-climber.
You can lead a lamb to the water, but he'll really just sit on the sign by the visitors center.
It seems like Colambus is pretty outdoorsy. Hopefully when he gets back to Columbus he won't hate being inside the store too much.
Wilbur O. -- The Dayton Lamb
Wilbur O., who is Tyler's twin brother, also got straight down to business upon his arrival at the Dayton store. He is John Butts official junior tech and will be helping out in the service department for awhile.
It seems like Wilbur is as high-flying as his namesake Wilbur Wright on this Bruno lift.
Wilbur seems to be an excellent junior tech. We're confident he's going to like it in the mobility industry.
Henry Clay -- The Marketing Lamb
Henry Clay, the geekiest of the lambs, quickly acclimated to the marketing office by locating and positioning himself near the coffee pot. Henry Clay spends his days doing postcard mailings, working on the website, and fielding IT questions from the stores, such as "What is my e-mail address?" and "What does ‘browser' mean?"
Henry Clay loves getting his daily dose of caffeine in the Marketing Office a.k.a. The Treehouse.
Henry Clay absolutely loves doing mailings. Here he is doing a postcard mailing to our opt-in mailing list spreading awareness of disability products and services and important causes such as LDN Research Trust!
You can buy your own LDN Lamb and support the LDN Research Trust. Join the group on Facebook and post a picture with your lamb to get your location on the map! Be sure to follow LDN Research Trust on Twitter for updates about the lambs as well.
To get real time information about M.C. Mobility and our products and services, follow us on Twitter and become our friend on Facebook.
Posted by Natasha Collier on Wed, Jun 23, 2010 @ 12:50 PM
One of the best things about working in the mobility industry is the interaction with our customers. It is very fulfilling to help them overcome
their obstacles. It is very important to us that we are able to give the customer what they need and we love hearing stories from our customers about how they enjoy our products. Recently, Roxanne Thomas brought her daughter, Emily, into our Cincinnati store to research the option of a new van. Their neighbor had recommended M.C. Mobility to them and they came into the store to meet with manager Cassy Bell.
Because of Emily's health issues, her wheelchair is very long so that it can accommodate her oxygen tank and other accessories. They needed to find the perfect van to fit their needs. Cassy said that they spent the afternoon getting Emily's very long chair with the vent on back in and out of different van options. Because of the number of options that M.C. Mobility Systems provides customers with, Roxanne had a very tough choice to make. Cassy recalled that they had originally liked the idea of a rear access van, but they decided on a new Braun Entervan conversion on a 2010 Chrysler Town and Country.
The Chrysler was a huge upgrade from their 1996 Dodge 
Ram van that she traded in. It had no air, no radio, the brakes were beginning to fail and it had several other significant mechanical issues. A new van is symbolic of a new beginning. This was the very first vehicle that Roxanne could buy which would allow her to get Emily out of the house and go places. Cassy remarked fondly of the experience, "It was more than just a new vehicle; it was an example of her freedom and a symbol of pride that, as a single parent, she can take her daughter out like any other kid."
Cassy said that the day Roxanne picked out her new van, she gave her Ralph Braun's book and advised her to read it. Braun, the founder of
Braun Ability, shared his story in Rise Above, a new book about overcoming adversity and living with a physical disability. Roxanne said that she couldn't put it down! Seeing Roxanne's face when she got behind the wheel of her new vehicle for the first time reinforced Cassy's love for her work. "Roxanne is another example of why I do what I do," she said.
Whether you are in need of a new vehicle such as a 2010 Toyota Sienna XLE van or are wanting to make modifcations to your vehicle such as new seating, we want to help you find the perfect accessible vehicle or mobility product. Do you have questions? Contact one of our mobility specialists and take a look at our product catalog. Let us know if you have any comments or concerns.
Posted by Ann Bransom on Tue, Jun 15, 2010 @ 08:02 AM
Well, he hasn't won yet. But with 2.6 million votes in the Oprah's Search for the Next TV Star Contest Zach Anner is likely unbeatable at this point. The contest asks contestants to share their passion with the world for a chance to get their own show on Oprah's new network. Hilarious wheelchair user Anner, pitches his idea for a show where he will travel to inaccessible locations around the world and prove that no obstacle is too big, no mountain is too high, and, as he puts it, "no Atlantis is too under water or fictional"!
Anner, who has Cerebral Palsy, which he refers to as "the sexiest of the palsies", went into the weekend with a couple of thousand votes. His hysterical and touching video entry quickly went viral over the weekend, with people reposting on Facebook, Twitter, Digg, and Reddit. Watch his entry here:
Even better, Anner was out of town while his video was gaining so much traction so he had no idea he was gaining millions of votes. His brothers did though, and video taped his reaction to finding out his dream of a show about accessible travel was actually within reach:
We can't wait to see more from Zach and have him show the world that "handicapped travel" is possible and that people with disabilities can overcome any obstacle to live their dreams! Do you think Zach is as inspirational as we do? Would you watch his show about disability travel? Please go here to vote for him, and leave us a comment below to show your support for this amazing young man!
M.C. Mobility Systems and our sister company Ability Van Rentals want to see you overcome obstacles in your own life and have your own adventures in wheelchair accessible travel. From obstacles in your own home that can be fixed with a vertical platform lift or wheelchair stairlift, to that long weekend trip you always wanted to take, but just needed to rent a wheelchair van, we have all your solutions.
Posted by Natasha Collier on Thu, Jun 10, 2010 @ 11:51 AM
Each year, US News and World Report releases its annual ranking of America's Best Hospitals. The list ranks the top medical institutions based on specific criteria and the specialties the hospital provides such as Gastroenterology and Cancer. 
Rankings are even provided for Pediatric hospitals so parents are able to choose a hospital that provides medical sophistication which others are not able to offer. This ensures that their children are getting the absolute best care available. This year, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center was among sixty-two facilities ranked in one or more of the ten pediatric specialties in the 2010-11 version of Best Children's Hospitals. In fact, Cincinnati Children's ranked in the top ten of all ten criteria, one of only eight hospitals to do so.
"The Best Children's Hospitals rankings showcase medical centers that every day deal with kids who have cancer, cystic fibrosis, defective hearts, and countless other life-threatening or rare conditions beyond the capabilities of most hospitals, even those with sizable pediatric departments," says Avery Comarow, health rankings editor at U.S. News.
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, a 449-bed children's general facility, is located at 3333 Burnet Avenue. The hospital either improved or maintained its ranking in nine of the criteria and brought Kidney care from twelve last year to third in the nation for 2010. The hospital was ranked fifth for Orthopedics and eighth for Neurology and Neurosurgery, two specialties which affect those in the disabled community greatly. "We're proud of those numbers and honored to be ranked among the best," says Michael Fisher, president and CEO of Cincinnati Children's. "As one of the most comprehensive children's hospitals in the country, we provide outstanding care in many pediatric specialties - and we do it with unprecedented attention to quality, safety, family experience and value. That said, we're never satisfied and will keep working to be the leader in improving the health of kids.
We want to applaud Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center for its achievements in medicine. We are proud that an institution in the Queen City is among the top in the nation. If you or a family member is in need of help and want more information about the services that Cincinnati Children's provides to those in the disabled community please contact us and we will be happy to forward our connections on to you and provide disability resources.
We work closely with Cincinnati Children's Hospital to provide mobility equipment for families in need. For more information on our mobility products visit our products catalog and ontact one of our mobility specialists for more information on our services.