>> LAURIE SCHALLER: Good morning everyone.  Thank you for joining us for the navigating accessible vehicle purchase webinar.  We will get started in the next two minutes giving folks a chance to log in.  A copy of this webinar is being recorded and the materials including a transcript will be placed on National Disability Institute accessible transportation and assistive technology sites.  Along with other webinar recordings that have taken place in the past.  Good morning everyone.  Thank you for joining our webinar navigating accessible vehicle purchase.  Real-time captioning is provided during this webinar.  The captions can be found by clicking on the CC button in your zoom controls at the bottom of your screen.  Or you can use the link that is on this slide.  If you have questions during today's webinar, we invite you to put those questions in the Q&A at the bottom of your screen.  Our presenters will address those questions during today's session.  If you are listening by phone and not logged into the webinar, you may also ask questions by emailing Hprice@NDI–INC–org.  That information is posted in the check.  Thank you for joining us today.  This presentation was funded by General Motors.  We thank them for their contributions to make this webinar and the handouts available and other resources that will be shared over the next couple of months.  I am an employee of National Disability Institute, NDI.  NDI is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to building a better financial future for people who have a disability and their family members as well.  NDI is the first organization committed exclusively to championing economic empowerment, financial education, asset development, and financial stability for all people who have a disability.  And we have been providing financial education and resources for 20 years now.  What we do, we help to build capacity in the field through training and technical assistance.  We drive system change by implementing models that can be replicated.  We test innovative approaches to financial empowerment.  We need research to uncover barriers and opportunities for people and providers of the services really geared towards individuals who have a disability who are seeking financial empowerment and financial stability.  We advanced change to public education and policy development.  I would like to introduce today's presenters.  Theo Braddy, Executive Director, National Council on Independent Living.  Brian Rogers, Rochester Driver Rehabilitation Program, Drive On.  Henry Powell, Independent Living Specialist, Maine Alternative Financing Program.  Molly Jones, Director of eCommerce and Direct Selling, MobilityWorks.  And myself Laurie Schaller, Manager Financial Empowerment, National Disability Institute.  Today's agenda, Theo Braddy will provide opening remarks.  I will cover national accessible vehicle statistics.  The process of navigating accessible vehicle purchase, grants available, Social Security administrating work support and protected savings options.  During our registration for this webinar, we asked what are barriers that people experience when trying to purchase an accessible vehicle?  This presentation will really address those barriers.  Most of them being related to the cost of an accessible vehicle.  We will share ways to reduce cost throughout our presentation and how to find the most appropriate assistive technology that will help an individual with private transportation.  Brian Rogers, will cover driver assessment and rehabilitation.  Henry Powell will cover alternative financing programs and affordable credit.  And Molly Jones will cover modified vehicle services.  I welcome Theo Braddy, Executive Director, National Council on Independent Living to share his thoughts.  Thank you.  



>> THEO BRADDY: Awesome, thank you very much Lori.  Good morning everyone.  A quick visual description, I am a black man with a black shirt.  I have on a red T-shirt and I am baldhead with salt and pepper beard.  More salt right now then pepper.  I am excited to be here.  I definitely want to work on everyone -- welcome everyone for joining us today.  I think the organizers and NDI for recognizing that this conversation is not just technical but deeply personal.  And obviously the reason I am here today is to talk about that.  About purchasing an accessible vehicle.  Before we get into all of the things that you need to know, I want to take a few moments to explain why this matters so much.  And why so many people with disabilities own a private modified vehicle is not just for luxury.  It is much more than luxury, it is a necessity.  It is needed.  Transportation is more than just mobility.  Transportation determines whether you can work, whether you can participate in whether your life is truly your own.  Transportation is so unreliable if you're transportation and I am going to say this over and over again if your transportation is so unreliable everything built on top of it becomes unstable.  Your job, your healthcare, your relationships, your ability to say, yes or no, state or go.  All if that is affected.  I learned long ago that my story is your story.  I live with a disability since I was 15 years old.  And for many years I relied on public accessible transportation and other share right systems that work supposed to provide accessible affordable transportation.  On paper those systems work.  But in real life they are often not.  Using public accessible transportation meant scheduling rides days in advance.  Ride pick up Windows instead of real-time.  Long rides with multiple stops.  Missed connections and constant uncertainty about whether a ride will actually arrive.  If the vehicle was late, I was late.  If it did not show up, I did not show up.  And it wasn't an occasional inconvenience, it was a constant reality.  And again, my story is your story.  What people often underestimate is the snowball effect impact of unreliable transportation.  It means being unable to attend college.  Turning down job opportunities, being unable to stay late at work, missing meetings or medical appointments.  It means arriving exhausted before the day even began from the weight of all of what you went through.  Over time unreliable transportation quietly limits what is possible.  It just does not affect where you go, it affects how many people receive your reliability and your ability professional or your potential.  No have the ability to judge based on whether your ride shows up.  Let me be clear public accessible transportation plays an important role in there's no doubt about that.  Because it is the only option some people have.  I wish I could make it better.  I have been trying for 40 years.  It is not often reliable or flexible.  Enough to truly remove transportation barriers especially for full community participation.  We can't build independence around the system where you don't control your schedule.  You can't make last-minute decisions, you can't stay late or leave early when life happens.  And believe me life happens.  That is not independence.  That is participation in someone else's terms.  Personally my own accessible vehicle changed everything.  For the first time transportation stopped being the barrier that determined what I could or could not do.  If only I can get to work on time, travel for my job, participate in leadership roles, except opportunities without trying to negotiate logistics first.  That vehicle didn't just provide transportation, provided control, predictability, dignity and improve my quality of life.  I can plan my life the same way nondisabled people could.  By deciding where wanted to go and when.  This is about equity not extra.  Accessible vehicles are talked about as though it was optional or excessive but it isn't.  But we need to be honest for many people with disability accessible vehicle is the difference between employment and unemployment.  Isolation, engagement, dependence or self-direction.  We don't question the need for a car when someone else need one to get to work.  For people with disabilities it is different for some reason.  Modify vehicles and the bottom line it creates a equal playing field.  This is why this webinar matters.  Right?  That is why today's conversation is so important and essential.  This webinar is not just about buying a vehicle.  It is about understanding.  It is about respect.  It is about like I said an equal playing field.  It is about giving you options and your rights available funding and support.  And how to make a really informed decision.  You are going to hear that today.  Because when transportation barriers are removed, people don't just move more freely, they live more freely.  I am honored to help set the stage today and grateful for the panelists.  You have a bunch of great experts that you're going to be hearing from and give you the practical side of this whole process.  My hope is that everyone leave here today with more clarity and more confidence.  Because independence is an abstract and it is practical.  For many of us, it is the beginning of reliability and accessible transportation.  I want to pass it off to Lori and thank you for hearing what I had to say today.  



>> LAURIE SCHALLER: Thank you Theo for setting the stage.  My name is Laurie I am the employee of national disability Institute and I am a manager of financial empowerment.  What are the statistics for people who need an accessible vehicle?  In 2017 the National household travel survey indicated that 25.5 million people over age 5 report disabilities that limit their ability to travel.  We need to address that.  The Census Bureau projects that by 2030 as more people age or acquire a disability there are will be 25 21.5 million more wheelchair users among people 55 and older.  A new vehicle – – wheelchair accessible vehicle -- [INDISCERNIBLE] 

If you have a specific disability like a spinal injury, you may want to reach out to United spine to see if they can provide a grant.  The state aging and development disability Council of your state may cover the cost of a modification of a vehicle.  Many Medicaid waiver programs available across the United States will cover the cost of modification.  If your goal is to complete education that leads to employment or you need an accessible vehicle to work vocational rehabilitation may cover that cost of a vehicle modification based upon the household income and your employment goal.  U.S. department gives grants for vehicle modification for savers members and veterans with service related disabilities.  We posted their phone number that you can give them a call to see if you are eligible.  The national mobility equipment dealers Association has a rebate program.  If someone purchases a new vehicle or lease is a new vehicle, they may be reimbursed up to $1000 for their cause.  It can help to reduce these expenses.  In today's session, what steps do you want to pursue first?  Maybe day one you want to start with am I eligible for any grants.  But then maybe start another activity at the same time because for each individual situation, the timeline for help may be different.  A grant can take a while and in the meantime you could have other activities completed to help you towards your goal to save money.  Many people who receive SSI or SSDI because they have a disability are not aware that the Social Security administration encourages people to work to their fullest ability.  A person who has a disability and receives these benefits is eligible for Social Security administrative work supports to help the person to work, complete their education in some instances, retainer benefits at least for a period of time including healthcare benefits, Medicaid and or Medicare.  Earn more income and purchase resources that support their continued education and employment.  For youth who are under the age of 22 who receive SSI this is one of my favorite work supports.  It is called the student earned income exclusion.  If the person wants to work and attend school regularly a bunch of the employment income will not count up to $2410 a month or adding up each month employment earnings up to $9730 this calendar year will not count as income if that person communicates to Social Security Administration that they want to use this work support.  That helps them to keep their full SSI payments.  They may want to deposit the extra earnings into an ABLE account and they are eligible and use the same funds towards purchasing a vehicle or an accessible vehicle to get themselves to their job.  That is a qualified disability expense.  There are also other work supports for a person of any age who receives SSI or SSDI who wants to work.  There's impairment related work support or IRWE.  That can help a person to afford any type of assistive technology including vehicle modification.  A person who maybe needs hand controls in their vehicle to be able to get themselves to their job, demolished to their job and back again may reduce their accountable earned income that could help the person to stay and pay for SSDI benefit longer.  Another one of my favorite work support is a plan for achieving self-support or the PASS plan.  This may allow that person extra income to help them pay for the purchase of a vehicle or a modified vehicle to be able to get themselves back and forth to work.  SSI and SSDI are eligible for free benefits counseling and the link is provided here so you can find your local benefits advisor that could tell you what work supports maybe you have used that you didn't know you had used and what work support you are eligible for in the future that can help you to work to your fullest ability.  You could get resources that you need for employment.  What is an ABLE account?  A person who had a disability that began before age 46 may be ABLE eligible.  A person who have received SSI or SSDI since before age 46 is categorically eligible.  A person who has not received a disability benefit and we know many people have a disability and they never received a disability benefit or they receive their disability benefit after age 46.  All they need to do is take a disability certification to their doctor and ask the doctor to write down what type of disability they have.  And the fact the disability began before age 46.  Then they can open and ABLE account.  A ABLE account can hold up to $100,000 and that is not accountable resource for a person who receives SSI benefits.  A person who receives SSI benefits by working and utilizing work supports may eventually become eligible for SSDI.  And then they can save in the ABLE plan up to the balance limit.  That is almost $600,000 for many of the ABLE account.  A person is allowed one ABLE account to save and invest monies in.  Why save in an ABLE account?  The resource is excluded for means tested benefits for even applying for financial aid.  Or when applying or receiving housing assistance through HUD.  Any amount of ABLE say – that -- savings Medicaid benefits including Medicaid waiver services or Medicare savings programs.  What can ABLE funds be spent on?  It can be saved and invested for a period of time.  When the person is ready to purchase for example assistive technology those funds can be used for that purpose or to cover transportation costs.  The slide list the qualified disability expenses that the IRS defines as qualified disability expenses.  Once you start the process of seeing if you are eligible for any grant or funding that can help you to purchase a vehicle, you might want to reach out to your driver rehabilitation program to see if they can provide support for you.  I would like to introduce Brian Rogers from the drive on program in Rochester, New York.  Thank you, Brian.  



>> BRIAN ROGERS: Thanks Laurie.  My job title is specifically, I am a certified driver rehabilitation specialist.  I work for Rochester rehabilitation which is a nonprofit organization.  Many people in my field will work at a hospital or type of clinic setting.  The key is basically what can be difficult is finding us for your driving needs.  I have been doing this for about 17 years.  Like I said I am in the Rochester, New York area.  As I touched on it can be very difficult to find your local and if you even have a local driver rehab specialists.  Here in New York it is one of the few places you can go to get driver assessments.  We do every type of assessment.  The good news here in Rochester and with most places, we can work with all types of disabilities.  There are two main worlds of adaptive equipment.  You have high-tech or low-tech.  Not everywhere you go can have that which can make it more difficult.  We are lucky at Rochester rehab to get all kind of the adaptive equipment that someone might need.  No place probably has everything but we are able to accommodate just about every type of disability.  We work with people that have spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, MS, CP, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, strokes, any kind of medical condition, we are here to help.  To walk you through the process how you would start is of course finding us.  It is tricky.  Laurie mentioned there is a website where you could get a great tool that you can punch in where you live and it will show you your closest driver rehab specialists.  That is probably the best way to go or ask your local doctor or if you are seeing a physical therapist or occupational therapist.  Those people would have some idea of where you can go.  To start the whole process once you find us the first step is when you come in, we are going to do what we call a clinical assessment.  My job essentially is when I meet you to figure out what your needs are.  We do a number of things depending on your disability.  We like to customize each visit for everybody so that you feel you are getting that special attention that you deserve and also we are not wasting your time.  Meaning if you came in for a spinal cord injury and there is no cognitive issues, we would try not to waste your time with things like the color of a stop sign or traffic rules.  We would get straight to the good stuff as I like to say.  We would focus on what your needs will be too drive a car.  We would start if there's any vision problems and vision is key.  We will always do a vision check.  That is something standard with everybody just because sometimes you do find some surprises something like depth perception or peripheral vision might be limited than someone thought.  It is always good to check vision.  Some people may come in with their legs amputated.  If you are not going to use your legs we are not going to do break reaction times but there are other ways to assess that.  Once we have you into our clinic, we do the revision assessment, breaking reaction if applicable and then getting into a physical assessment.  We would look at your strength, your range of motion, your sensitivity and things like that.  To keep it simple, what is working well?  What can you use to drive?  And what is it?  For example, we might have someone let's say with muscular dystrophy who has very limited range of motion and strength in one hand but that other hand is a little bit better.  We focus on what can we do with the good hand?  Can the not so good hand work in any way and can it help with driving?  The key is to basically figure out what do you need to drive safe?  Like I was saying there is low-tech equipment, high-tech equipment.  The high-tech equipment would most likely be more for people with high level spinal cord injury, muscular dystrophy and things like electronic gas and brake.  And things like a special touchscreen which you can use for starting the car, shifting gears and many other functions.  It is truly amazing the equipment they have out there to help people drive with any kind of disability.  Once we get you in, the first step is to figure out what you need to drive.  The next step is to train you on that equipment of course.  So the first couple of appointments may be too figure out what equipment you need.  Once we get that figured out now we go driving around town with all of the equipment.  We have to make sure you can do everything.  Shifting gears, using your signals, beeping the horn, all of the necessary things to be safe and independent driver.  Being fully independent might means to bring the wheelchair along with you.  Some people might drive from the wheelchair and do everything from the wheelchair.  Some people will transfer into the driver's seat and need a way to take the wheelchair with them.  There are a few different options which we can go over with you.  There are ways to store the wheelchair in your vehicle if it is big enough on top of the vehicle if the wheelchair is a certain type.  There is behind the vehicle lift and there are many ways we can go over.  We have figured out what do you need to drive?  Let's train you to make sure you are using everything safely.  Let's make sure you can get places independently.  Meaning you do not need anyone to help you with your wheelchair or getting in and out of the vehicle.  And once we have established all of that, you are pretty much good to go.  And now it is time for me to write the script as we would like to say for your car.  I can pretend I am a doctor for cars and write up the appropriate equipment modifications for your vehicle.  Once I write up the script, I can send that to a vendor such as mobility works.  They are the place that would take the script which has all of the information and equipment that you need.  We work closely with those vendors to make sure everything goes right for you if they have questions about the modification report, they can contact us.  We can clear things up with them.  Basically we want to make sure that everything that you were using and trained on is properly installed in your vehicle.  Five-year certified rehabilitation specialists, you can go to ADED website.  We can do the clinical assessment and find out the needs for your driving.  And then train you on that equipment.  We write the script for the vendor to install that equipment and then you are off and driving.  There is one step depending on what state you live in that I kind of forgot about.  Once you are trained on the equipment, you will need to most likely change or modify your drivers license to reflect the equipment you are using.  For example, in New York State on my license there is the letter R.  If you need hand controls that will be the letter X. Things like that basically reporting to the DMV that you're using this new adaptive equipment.  Now you are perfectly legal and off and driving.  Just to touch on a couple of things real quick as far as the adaptive equipment, I do here a lot of stories of people they are desperate to drive and want to get right back out there.  They will go on to Amazon or online type of website to purchase their own hand controls or their own steering device.  Some things are really basic like this steering device here as you see.  You can get that online very easily.  I advised against that.  You want to have even if it's something that is simple, you want to have your adaptive equipment installed by a certified vendor.  If anything was to go wrong with their equipment, you want to be able to show it was installed by a place that is certified.  You were recommended by a certified driver rehabilitation specialist.  That way you are in the clear if any accident should happen.  I think that pretty much wraps it up.  Feel free to put any questions in the chat.  If you want to reach out to me personally, you can go to Rochester rehab.org.  Feel free to reach out with any questions.  



>> LAURIE SCHALLER: Is the evaluation paid for by a funding source typically?  And what is the referral process?  



>> BRIAN ROGERS: Great question.  The referral process typically any doctor you're working with can refer you that is preferred and I would not say 100% that our people have gotten a doctor referral.  Most people will get it during the process to let the doctor know what is going on with your driving.  As far as the cost that has always been tricky.  There is not a lot of resources.  As you mentioned the best place for New York State would be vocational rehab.  The one in New York is called Access VR.  They are a wonderful source.  Of course the cat is as long as your driving is related to keeping or getting a job or education, they would likely and it is not guaranteed but they would likely pay for some if not all of your evaluation and training.  But even more likely they would pay for that equipment.  As I mentioned there is a high-tech and low-tech.  The high-tech equipment when all said and done can be in the $50,000 – $100,000 range for this equipment.  Not to care people most of the equipment is not high-tech most of it is within a couple of thousand dollars.  That is a lot of money either way.  That is where vocational rehab place would be very beneficial.  If not, it can be really tricky.  There are organizations that you can look for, for grants.  In New York we have endless Highway.  They provide $40,000 grant once a year to someone who wins that.  You can apply and it is really tough to find.  The vocational rehab is the best place to go.  



>> LAURIE SCHALLER: Thank you, Brian.  We will have a Q&A opportunity following today's presentation.  I would like to introduce Henry Powell from Alpha one.  He is independent living special with the finance program.  There are more than 40 of these types of programs available across the United States.  Thank you, Henry.  



>> HENRY POWELL: My name is Henry Powell and I work with alpha-1.  I wear a lot of hats but I hope to run all of the alternative financing program.  I use he and him pronounced and I am a male wearing glasses with short hair and a vest.  I have a blurry background.  Most states have alternative financing program.  Each of those programs is different.  I would definitely recommend reaching out to your local program to see what the requirements are and what the process and even what they can provide for services.  Our state is different than most other states.  It really depends on where you living as to what specifics you are going to get into.  Typically, after somebody has done an assessment like Brian would do, we then will hopefully assist them in getting some funding to help them to purchase a vehicle.  Like Brian and Laurie mentioned, we see folks getting assistance from vocational rehab or the veterans administration.  Typically, those programs will only cover what is called the conversion of the vehicle.  Something to make that vehicle accessible.  But the actual structure is not covered by those programs.  That is where we might come in for alternative financing programs.  We typically get a referral from them and work together to get funding in place to get a low interest-rate loan to have the person purchase a vehicle.  The other scenario is sometimes there are people looking for vehicles that are unable to work or if the vehicle is for a child or older adult that you're trying to purchase it to get them out of the community so this program can be utilized for them as well.  Our program does not require the person who the vehicle is for beyond a loan.  A caregiver, family member can purchase the vehicle for that person's benefit.  Like I mentioned all the alternative financing programs have different program rules and requirements.  Ours is a 3.57% interest rate on all of the programs offer low interest rate and affordable credit building loan.  There is often more flexibility in terms of your credit score or background credit history.  The credit score has to be 569 or higher or if someone has no credit history we will accept those people to apply for a program and can certainly approve them.  I would definitely recommend to go on the national disability Institute website and check out the alternative financing program.  There are 45 programs nationwide.  We only service main so you have to find your own individual state to check in.  Many of them connect with a bank and the bank does the actual lending of the funds.  You would work through the program to get approved through a bank and the program will guarantee the loan.  If there is future issue to repay with that piece so that is where that is tied in most of the time.  Like I mentioned before, NDI has a lot of good resources.  One of the things that is really helpful on the website is the spending plan.  Getting into the details of the monthly payments and what kind of things you are spending money on to afford a loan for a vehicle.  As we can see in the slide new vehicles or owning and operating a vehicle is costly.  It is $70,000 for a new vehicle.  We saw some one come in and half of that was covered so they did not have to pay the full amount.  It is expensive.  We live in Maine so there is winter and salt on the road.  Vehicles are going quickly so I can definitely range.  It is helpful to know that repairs are going to be required.  If it is a primary vehicle, you are going to use the vehicle a lot.  You need to extend the life of that as much as possible.  Our main recommendation for people is to check your credit score.  That is always the number one requirement for any of these programs.  The higher the score, you often will get the better interest rate and your loan will be less over the life of the loan.  You can check your credit score for free with independent credit bureaus.  That is super helpful to see your history.  If there's any collections or any of that information, we recommend a soft credit pull from credit karma.com where you can login and see what your credit score might be at that moment.  It is much faster.  It doesn't give you the full picture.  I certainly still recommend everybody to pull one of the free credit report every year.  There is a phone number here for the national Federation of consumer credit counseling as well.  Reach out to them and get some assistance.  Sometimes credit scores can be complicated.  Often times people with disabilities have more complicated credit histories.  Sometimes it takes a while from Social Security income to come into play.  Sometimes disability can happen quickly so someone is not expecting it and they lose their income.  It can be challenging and as a part of alternative financing so we work with you to give you credit counseling.  In terms of our process, we will receive an application from somebody and do a full credit check.  We will check to see what is required.  We require quite a bit so we tried to get credit for the beneficial things they are doing.  We will ask for three months of bank statements or other loans.  Proof of income, proof of expenses.  Once we receive that we will be able to make a determination.  Typically our program has a turnaround of a couple of days.  Sometime programs requires a vote if someone is approved or not.  That might slow it down slightly in that process.  This is a lot of bullet points that are detailing information from NDI spending plan webinar which is helpful to do a deep dive into your individual expenses.  It has a lot of good information about what to think about as you are trying to apply for a loan for an adaptive vehicle.  Like Laurie mentioned, looking for grants or Medicaid waiver or grants for conversion of the vehicle.  It is helpful to reduce the amount that might be owed for a loan.  Also thinking about what equipment might be cheaper.  Like for instance if you could transfer into a vehicle may be getting a fully adaptive vehicle with a ramp isn't the best approach.  Are there opportunities to reduce monthly expenses?  Is there opportunities to increase monthly income?  Are their family members or anybody else you may be able to add to a loan in order to assist with the monthly payment?  What income paid for each bill is helpful information to think about.  Where can money be saved?  If you can put together a few months of saving money then you can kind of determine whether you can afford a payment.  Sometimes people come to us and can only afford a couple of hundred dollars a month and that is going to be difficult purchase an adaptive vehicle with that amount of money.  We are seeing something like $700 a month for payment at least.  That is certainly something to strive for and see if there are ways that you can work together in order to purchase that.  ABLE accounts are great for that and other family members to be on the loan for a financing program is super helpful.  All of that information is something to bring to your alternative financing programs so they can then determine whether or not you would be approved for a loan.  And then moving forward through the process with them.  Typically, they are very helpful.  If there is complicated credit, not a lot of money left over at the end of month you can apply and see what is possible.  You can talk to them about what steps you may be able to take in order to come back to them in three months or six months and be approved.  We really try to work with any of our applicants if they are not approved to see what can you do in order to try to come back to us and actually get the adaptive vehicle you're looking for.  Like I said it is always good to reach out to your local alternative financing program.  See if you can qualify to their programs to see what their limits are in terms of a mouse they can lend out to you.  



>> LAURIE SCHALLER: Thank you so much, Henry.  Those alternative financing programs you might want to reach out to them as soon as possible.  It can take a wild to prepare yourself and to know what that particular program request so you can access a loan at an interest rate zero – 8% that can save you a lot of money.  We welcome Molly Jones, Director of eCommerce and Direct Selling, MobilityWorks.  She will share her expertise.  She trains a lot of the dealerships across the United States and how to meet your needs.  Thank you, Molly.  



>> MOLLY JONES: Thank you all, I appreciate being here.  I am happy to discuss options.  The purpose of me being here today is to go over what is available for accessible vehicles but not only the vehicles but the equipment that is available.  How to get prepared to purchase an accessible vehicle.  Because it certainly can be overwhelming.  Wonderful.  Makes and models available.  This is a brief overview of what is available.  You may find other makes and models that are available.  This is what you will find.  There is a variety available we have Chrysler, Honda, Toyota and Chevrolet.  The big ones you will find are going to be BraunAbility, advantage mobility or all-terrain conversions.  They're going to be more out there but these are the big ones that you will find.  Conversion offerings and accessible features.  I am going to go over the different types of conversions so power versus manual.  Side entry versus rear entry or two photographs of vans one with a white van with a ramp on the side and that is going to be side entry.  The silver van with a ramp in the rear that is going to be rear entry.  Our rear entry accessible vehicles there is a photo of a close-up of a woman in a wheelchair.  The rear entry vehicle she is there in the channel.  When our clients find some of the pros for this conversion is a larger parking space is not needed.  A handicap accessible handicap is not needed for this particular vehicle.  It tends to be a little bit more budget friendly compared to side entry.  It is the simplest navigation for wheelchairs.  It is straight up the ramp and straight back down and no turning or anything like that.  It is very easy for manual and power wheelchair users.  It is best used by families or caregivers.  It is frequently using tight or unpredictable parking spaces.  The next one we have side entry accessible vehicle.  There are several photos of a white van with a ramp on the side.  There's a gentleman shown in several different positions.  He is shown in his wheelchair in the second row or center position.  He is the passenger.  He is shown in the front passenger position still seated in his wheelchair.  So he is next to the driver.  The third photograph is of him in the drivers position in his wheelchair.  The side entry accessible vehicles have multiple layout options as demonstrated here in the photos.  It gives access to the driver position or the front passenger seating area.  There's also a ramp choice of fold out or in floor.  The foldout is what it sounds like.  It is going to fold out for access and up into the doorway.  The in floor is a ramp that slides in and out underneath the floor and it does not impede the entryway.  On the side entry vehicles the trunk space is usable and accessible.  This type of conversion is used by clients who want driving access to prefer to stay in the front passenger position.  When it comes accessible conversions, we do have two options.  We have power option or a manual operation.  Power is referring to with a remote or buttons inside the vehicle to operate the conversion.  Manual means is somebody is manually pulling out the ramp for access.  On the power operation this is commonly used by independent drivers.  It is remote operation with several buttons inside of the vehicle.  This power option does give the ability or the option.  This is a feature that has the vehicle squawked down just a little bit as the ramp operates.  What that does is reduces the ramp and go.  This is fantastic for a manual read there wheelchair user or power wheelchair user.  It is not steep and easier to navigate.  The manual operation this is commonly used by families and caregivers.  It is a lower cost when compared to the power option.  It is generally lower maintenance option in general.  We do recommend our clients bring their vehicles every six months for preventative maintenance.  But in the long run the manual operation tends to cost a little less to maintain.  Additional accessible equipment.  Here we are going to go over some securement options and driving aids.  Manual securement options.  On the slide I have two photographs.  The first photograph is a long option.  There's a black hook at one end and a silver fitting at the other end.  Other photograph is much smaller.  It has a silver at one end and black hook at the other end.  The first one is extended -- standard manual securement.  These black hooks go on parts of the wheelchair.  The fitting goes into the track on the accessible vehicle itself located on the floor.  It does require some strength to use effectively.  The retractable securement is used in the same way.  It is easier to use than the previous described manual securement.  Think of your seatbelt when you yank on it it goes click.  That is how this is going to be used.  It is going to self tightend.  The third securement option is automatic docking system.  This is a great option.  It is very easy to use.  It does require in-store installation and fitting because it is custom to not only where you sit in the vehicle but also to your wheelchair.  This device must be used when driving from a wheelchair.  It is something to consider.  The lockdown will be installed and there is a photo of the lockdown in this slide.  It is a gray box.  It will be installed on the floor of the vehicle.  A bracket will be installed on the bottom of the wheelchair.  They will drive over the lockdown and it will grab the bracket and secure them in place.  The seatbelt can be used in addition to this.  As Brian mentioned earlier, we do install hand controls and driving aids.  You do need to work with a certified driving rehabilitation specialist.  We do install hand controls as you see in this photo.  There is a set of hand controls and we also install steering aids.  Those are two commonly prescribed driving aids.  We also operate left foot accelerators and advanced electronic driving systems that Brian mentioned earlier as well.  We do need to have the prescription on file or restriction on the back of your license to install these types of driving aids.  Understanding your needs and available options.  On the next couple of slides, I am going to go over some questions.  Before you start looking for an accessible vehicle this will help you narrow down the type of vehicle that you're looking for and it can shorten your search and make you a more knowledgeable purchaser.  The first really big question we always want to help our clients understand, who is this vehicle for?  How will they be using the vehicle are they the driver?  Are they gonna be transferring from the wheelchair?  Will they be driving from the Wiltshire?  As we mentioned previously about the securement options depending on how they plan on using the vehicle or driving is going to change what we recommend and the type of conversion and the type of equipment.  Another big question is if they are going to be a passenger and where do they plan on sitting in the vehicle?  We went over the side entry and rear entry.  Depending on the answer to this question is going to determine what kind of vehicle we are going to recommend.  How many passengers will the vehicle need to accommodate?  How many wheelchair passengers?  Sometimes we do have clients who have the need to transfer more than one wheelchair passenger.  This is really important information.  What kind of mobility device is being used?  We have clients using wheelchairs and other devices as well.  It isn't -- we have to make sure the vehicle will accommodate comfortably and safely.  We are talking about wheelchairs, we want to know will it be a power wheelchair or manual wheelchair?  Does the client use more than one wheelchair?  We want to make sure we can accommodate every device they are using.  Will the client be transferring or staying seated in the wheelchair?  When the clients are using scooters, we want to know is a three wheel or four wheel?  If the client is using a scooter we want to make sure they are aware that they will need to transfer off of the device.  It is okay to stay seated in a wheelchair but not a scooter.  In the measurements of the device of these are three very important measurements we always like to take into consideration.  This is going to really shape what we recommend for that type of conversion.  So we want to know the seated height from the head to the floor when they are seated in the mobility device.  The width of the wheelchair or scooter.  If your wheelchair has armrests but stick out further than the wheels, we want that measurement.  And then the length of the wheelchair.  Each accessible vehicle is not built equally.  They accommodate different types of mobility devices.  We want to make sure we find the right one for you.  Purchase, lease, and rental options.  We do offer all three.  I will briefly go over what you can expect in those regards.  For purchasing and generality we're going to be looking at a vehicle 10 years or newer with less than 100,000 miles.  The down payment in general most lenders prefer 20% down with 10% being considered the minimum down payment.  None of this is written in stone.  It is all based on the vehicle itself and the clients individual situation.  We do offer several leasing programs.  That is going to be new or slightly used with mobility conversion.  The down payment amount plus the first months payment it is generally what is collected at the time of the lease.  The leases are going to have a set mileage allowance for the lease term.  A lot of the advertise leases will have $5000 -- 5000 miles.  There is a set residual amount when it comes to leasing.  This is the amount that you can purchase a vehicle for at the end of the lease.  At the end of the lease you can choose to turn in the vehicle or you can choose to purchase the vehicle for the residual amount.  You can finance that amount if needed.  Rental options.  I do have some rental rates written down here.  You can view them@mobilityworks.com.  They have the ability to reserve the vehicle online.  We do have daily rates starting at $185 a day and the weekly rates and monthly rates.  It is going to change based on how long you rent the vehicle.  The weekend special is very popular for a lot of our clients.  If your purchasing for the first time and you have an ability to try a rental first.  Where to find us?  We are nationwide so we have over 90 locations all over the place.  We do offer an online experience.  I lead the online sales team.  The product specialist will work you and we will do what we call a needs analysis where we go through quite a few questions and understand your needs and are able to recommend an accessible vehicle based on the conversation.  It all takes pace -- place online.  You can find us shop .mobility works.com.  If you know the make and model of your wheelchair you can put it in an answer a couple of questions and how you plan on using the vehicle and it will show you some accessible vehicles that are available to you.  You can visit us at one of our locations.  We can set an appointment at your home or one of our locations are virtual appointment with you where we talk to you on the phone or email to learn more and help you further.  If you have any questions I am happy to help.  



>> LAURIE SCHALLER: All the presenters will continue to stay on the session.  I invite you if there are any unanswered questions you would like to post in the QA box and our presenters will help to answer those questions.  I want to go over a couple of resources.  While you're putting the questions into the Q&A so the presenters can answer your questions that remain.  NDI invites people who use accessible vehicles to submit their story around purchasing an accessible vehicle.  People who submit documents or MP3 reels or participate in the production of video selected by NDI are eligible to receive a stipend of $100.  If that person owns ABLE account, we can make arrangements to have the stipend directly deposited into an ABLE account.  There are many questions about the resources that were shared today.  Almost all of those resources are in the two resource guides that are posted in the chat.  They are also available at national disability Institute accessible vehicle assistive technology portion of the website.  We welcome you to share those links.  When people receive those, they can scan the QR code that takes them directly to our website.  So they can continue to view additional information as it is posted.  I just wanted to review a couple of questions that we saw come up quite a bit.  Many people who have a disability themselves may not be able to drive.  A person who provides support to that individual may be eligible for grant funding to be able to purchase the wheelchair accessible vehicle or the vehicle that does have hand controls and other items that will be helpful to that individual.  Please contact each of the grant providers.  Given your particular circumstance if you may be eligible for the grant.  Also, the alternative financing program in some cases a person who does not have a disability but would drive the individual who needs accessibility features in a vehicle could apply for a loan.  You can reach out there.  We know mobility works and the accessible vehicle dealerships available across the United States, they may know about grants and other funding to help giving your particular scenario.  You can ask those questions along the process of selecting the vehicle that would best meet your needs.  Somebody put an interesting question, I know people who are really tall and not every vehicle is going to work for them.  When you are about to select a vehicle to lease or to use for a trip to do a test drive to make sure that is going to meet your needs.  Maybe you need to do that in advance because stock may be limited.  We have some questions and maybe Molly you can speak to this, sometimes a person will purchase an accessible vehicle at mobility works and then it needs to go to another facility for another type of modification to be installed can you speak to that please?  



>> MOLLY JONES: That question we are talking about the conversion on a non-modified vehicle?  Fantastic.  If you currently have a vehicle and you would like to have a conversion installed on it, we will want to know the Vin of the vehicle.  Chryslers are available for conversion but we want the exact Vin to make sure your exact vehicle is eligible.  Packages on vehicles can make it harder to convert so we want the Vin to verify.  Most converters are going to require that the vehicle has less than 50,000 miles.  To start off if you already have the vehicle give us the Vin and mileage and we could tell you what is available.  If you're looking to purchase a vehicle make sure you give us the Vin before you make the purchase.  



>> LAURIE SCHALLER: I would like to presenters if we missed anything today to share information that is important for people to hear.  This is, Laurie.  I have purchased vehicles and I think it is important that we always be vigilant if an interest rate of two or 4% is advertised.  In my case I need to take steps to qualify for the nice low interest rates.  So that when I walk or roll into a dealership, I know that I can access the lowest rates when I make my purchase.  If the vehicle that is available doesn't meet my needs maybe I can't comfortably sit behind the steering wheel for the features that I need can't be installed in that particular vehicle, I want to know that in advance.  I want to pick out a vehicle like Consumer Reports says has a reliable history that it will cost me less every time the vehicle needs to be repaired.  So please consider that.  We welcome your feedback regarding this webinar.  We have a brief survey for you to complete now.  We will also send another survey if you need additional information let us know that.  We will certainly get back to you.  We thank all of our experts today who shared their important information with you today.  Thank you.  I feel confident and I can apply something I learned today.  It has a rating level of I strongly disagree, disagree, feel neutral about this or I agree or strongly agree.  What information was most helpful?  If we are able to schedule webinars in the future, what topics would you suggest that we cover?  We thank you very much for joining us today.  Have a good one.  Bye-bye.