You must have been through evaluation and have met with an accredited mobility dealer to obtain the appropriate mobility products that meet your transportation needs. Needs include a wheelchair van, lift or other mobility equipment.

The application must be completed with the assistance of a mobility dealer accredited with NMEDA (Mobility Equipment Dealers Association) and from the client�s geographical area who would provide service for the product(s).

Once pricing has been established and you can produce most of the purchase amount but still remain short of the total, the Foundation will consider the proposal to finalize the purchase.

Qualifications:

• Applicants must apply with the support of a mobility dealer who is in good standing with NMEDA.

• This dealer must have evaluated you for the mobility product that best meet your needs. In other words, make sure a mobility expert has worked with you to find the best mobility solution for you�not just what you think would work best.

• Grant winners need proof that the remaining funding required to complete the sale is secured.

• Grant awards must result in an immediate equipment sale, and checks will be made to the representing dealer.

The application form is available at www.ralphbraunfoundation.org and must be submitted in its entirety online by Nov. 30, 2011.

Individuals and dealers will be notified by Friday, Dec. 16, 2011 if their grant has been awarded.

All grant recipients must agree to have their story told on the Foundation website as well as the Foundation Facebook page.

For more information, visit: http://ralphbraunfoundation.org/.

Commercially Available

• TEK Robotic Mobilization Device (RMD) � Paraplegics and people with disabilities can move around in a standing position, providing better cardiovascular health, the ability to make eye-to-eye contact and the independence to reach high and low heights.
  • Info: http://tekrmd.com/
  • Video: http://vimeo.com/3734380

• Mountain Trike � This is truly an all-terrain wheelchair allows you to venture out around town or into the countryside, the beach, down muddy tracks, over grass, or along cobbled streets, gravel driveways and even through snow.
  • Info: http://www.mountaintrike.co.uk/
  • Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGPaVTMo3B

• Greathouse Labs Wheelchairs & Mobility Devices � Greathouse Labs can design and build a custom wheelchair to fit your lifestyle. They can even trick your chair to show off your personality.
  • Info: http://www.greathouselabs.com/2011/10/wheelchairs

Concept Vehicles

• WHILL � Clamps onto the wheels of an existing manual wheelchair, turning it into a powered chair, reaching speeds of up to 12 mph.
  • Info: http://whill.jp/
  • http://www.spicytec.com/2011/12/whill-is-next-generation-personal.html
  • Video: http://vimeo.com/30528762
• Permoveh � This multi-directional chair allows the driver to move forward and backward, side-to-side, and diagonally as well using a hand-held control system. Navigate through tighter spaces with ease and reach up to 3.7 mph.
  • Info: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57403813-1/4wd-permoveh-�� wheelchair-turns-on-a-dime/?tag=mncol;cnetRiver
  • Video: http://youtu.be/thKHERie-Ek

• Cursum � Stroller for wheelchair users. The Cursum stroller concept aims to make life a little easier by adapting to use in tandem with a wheelchair. Swivel wheels, complete height adjustment, attention to comfort and visibility, and advanced safety features give parents added security and a little independence to an already challenging life experience.
  • Info: http://www.yankodesign.com/2012/06/29/wheelchair-adaptive-stroller/
  • Video: http://vimeo.com/43120527

For more info on future wheels:

http://www.usatechguide.org/blog/prototype-and-concept-wheelchairs/ and http://www.lovethesepics.com/2012/09/35-wildly-wonderful-wheelchair-design-concepts/

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To lead the most active life you can, you probably want a vehicle. You can buy a new one with adaptive equipment customized to your needs, a used vehicle that is customized for you or you can have equipment added to the family car or van.

The decision to buy new or used really depends on your finances, but the most important thing is that the vehicle be designed to fit your individual requirements.

Buy locally. When you buy from a National Mobility Equipment Dealer in your area, you can see, feel and try out the product, meet the owner and shake their hand. You will also receive an in-person evaluation before your purchase so you can be sure you�re getting the right solution customized to your needs. This doesn�t hold true with an internet-only business.

If you buy over the internet, the person on the other end can�t see you, can�t do an in-person evaluation and can�t fully understand your disability and needs. Plus, you can�t see them. Like a handshake, face-to-face interaction leads to trust and you�re making a large purchase.

If you must buy online, make sure in advance, in writing, that you can refuse delivery of the vehicle and receive a full refund if, upon delivery, you find the vehicle doesn�t fit your needs, fails to meet reasonable expectations or doesn�t match the description provided by the internet seller.