Vantage Mobility International and Others Unite to Increase Disability Awareness
By the year 2030, one in five Americans, some 72 million individuals, will be 65 years or older. Experts predict as many as 18 million of these will require some kind of mobility assistance. The aging Baby Boomer population is likely to be the biggest contributor.*
(NEW YORK) — Vantage Mobility International, LLC (VMI), Accessible Vans & Mobility, LLC and TiLite are improving mobility for people with disabilities and knowledge of “Disability Etiquette.”
In honor of National Disability Awareness Month, on October 17, 2007, VMI and the City of New York and the Mayor’s Office for People With Disabilities will Ramp Up Your Awareness with interactive displays throughout New York for people to experience the advanced mobility technology and comfort of the VMI Northstar Conversion installed in Honda Odyssey minivans donated by American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
“Giving people a hands-on experience with mobility technology is powerful education,” said Doug Eaton, CEO of Vantage Mobility International. “A critical part of Disability Etiquette is to give people a sense of the options available to help people with disabilities continue to live very mobile lives.”
The Ramp Up Your Awareness events will be displayed at the Lincoln Center, City Hall Park and Central Park, near Tavern on the Green. Each location will also feature entertainment showcasing the unique abilities of several New York groups, including ballroom dance troupe DanceSport USA, rap group 4-Wheel City and the New York United Spinal Jets rugby team. Partners in Ramp Up Your Awareness, United Spinal and TiLite, a leading wheelchair manufacturer will also be on hand to educate participants on Disability Etiquette and other mobility products.
The main principles of Disability Etiquette include:
• NEVER park in a disability access parking spot
• Use proper terminology when engaging and referring to a person with a disability
• Refer to the person not the disability (Example: man who is blind, woman who uses a wheelchair)
• How to offer assistance
• ALWAYS ask before assisting
• Respecting the rights of persons with disabilities
• Keep all ramps and wheelchair accessible entries clear of any blockage
• Attempt to understand facets of their daily life
• Educate yourself on new innovations in mobility assistance, understand some of the subtle nuances of accomplishing everyday tasks
“It’s important that we work to educate the public on respectfully accommodating persons requiring extra assistance. The impact of aging America can be leveraged as an opportunity if we can all work together to educate the public about products like the Honda Odyssey with our Northstar Conversion and develop an appreciation for Disability Etiquette.” notes Eaton.