NMEDA is Your Road to Independence

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of NMEDA. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you are a caregiver of a family member or friend who is not able to get around anymore, it is time you check into NMEDA. NMEDA understands the struggles of a caregiver who has a disabled loved one or friend. Many caregivers are not able to move large and heavy equipment and this is where NMEDA comes in handy. NMEDA is a non-profit trade association which educates consumers on buying products from a NMEDA qualified dealer. Whether you are a driver, passenger or caregiver, NMEDA will direct you to a qualifed dealer in your city or nearest town. When a caregiver goes through NMEDA, they can be rest assured the elderly or disabled they are assisting will be able to get back onto the road of independence.

In case you are wondering, NMEDA does not sell anything. NMEDA was formed originally as an association of mobility equipment dealers in the state of Florida. When family members and caregivers learned about NMEDA and how they help disabled people, their membership opened up nationwide in 1989. In 1989, the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association was established and is the only association that promotes safe driving and equipment for disabled people.

The NMEDA is a non-profit organization and their members are required to adhere to the safety standards of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NMEDA dealers (members) are the ones who sell handicap vans and vehicle modifications for disabled people.

Now because disabilities are not exactly the same, it is wise to check out your wheelchair adapted vehicle thouroughly. This is especially true if your vehicle was sold over the Internet or through catalogs. After a personalized “in-person” evaluation, you can be sure you are getting the right driving solution customized to your specific lifestyle and needs. If you need additional training or product refinements, your NMEDA dealer is there to help you.

NMEDA has Dealers and Quality Assurance Program (QAP) dealers. When you begin looking for dealers in your area, you can go directly the the NEMDA website and type in your zip code or state/prov. When you go to the NMEDA website, please leave me a comment letting you know their closest qualified dealer. As for the Quality Assurance Program (QAP), it is the only nationally recognized accreditation program for the Adaptive Mobility Equipment Industry. The QAP is based on the principle that in order to satisfy customers consistently, companies must have a systematic and documented approach to quality.

When dealers participate QAP they are held to extremely high standards. In fact, they are required to maintain product and completed operations and Garage Keepers insurance for liability purposes. Dealers have to be certified welders if they perform structural modifications to vehicles and have technicians certified for the equipment they sell, install and service.

It is also important for dealers to maintain records of all adaptive vehicles. Along with the maintence of the adaptive vehicles, these vehicles must undergo an inspection/audit process at least annually by an independent auditing firm to ensure compliance to the NMEDA Guidelines.

NMEDA dealers must abide by the Mediation Committee's decisions when a complaint is lodged by a consumer, a Dealer, or any other person or entity. Local NMEDA dealers have to provide 24 hour service to their customers and meet shop facility and equipment requirements.