ADA 20th Anniversary Debut of MV-1 Factory Built Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle

- Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2010/07/20 - Updated: 2024/06/18
Publication Type: Informative
Topic: Disability Transport Services - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: The Vehicle Production Group showcases MV-1 first mobility vehicle at The National Council on Independent Living Conference.

Attendees of this year's NCIL Annual Conference were given a firsthand look at the MV-1, including interacting with the vehicle and experiencing the direct benefits of the car before it hits the market in the fourth quarter of this year.

The vehicle features a deployable access ramp with a 1,200-pound weight capacity, a spacious 36-inch entryway, and a roomy interior that seats up to six people comfortably. The vehicle is also available with a manufacturer engineered and assembled compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling system option.

Introduction

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), The Vehicle Production Group (VPG), a new American car company, presented a breakthrough mobility solution to attendees at The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) Annual Conference today. The first designed, engineered and factory-built, wheelchair accessible car - the MV-1 - marks a major milestone for the 14 million American adults who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices that present a significant obstacle for routine activities such as traveling in a car.

Main Item

"VPG is proud to be the first manufacturer to provide people with mobility issues with a purpose-built vehicle that provides ease of entry and exit, as well as a more comfortable ride," said Dave Schembri, CEO of VPG.

Attendees of this year's NCIL Annual Conference were given a firsthand look at the MV-1, including interacting with the vehicle and experiencing the direct benefits of the car before it hits the market in the fourth quarter of this year. NCIL works on a variety of disability rights issues with the vision of creating a world in which people with disabilities are treated equally and have full access and participation.

"For the millions of Americans of all ages and disabilities who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices routine travel presents a significant obstacle, even 20 years after the Americans With Disabilities Act became law," said NCIL Executive Director Kelly Buckland, who spoke at the event. "With the introduction of the MV-1, all of that can change."

In addition to NCIL conference attendees, the unveil was attended by Marc Buoniconti, president of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, a leading spinal cord injury research center that was co-founded by NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Nick Buoniconti after his son Marc sustained a spinal cord injury during a college football game. Marc and The Miami Project provided extensive input into the design of the MV-1.

"Our organization is pleased to have been so involved in the design input of this first-of-its-kind vehicle," said Marc Buoniconti. "For too long, wheelchair users have been shut out of the process, and any vehicle options to this point have been an afterthought - whereas this vehicle was designed from the ground up with this audience's needs at the forefront."

Starting later this year, the MV-1 will be built in the United States at the AM General assembly plant in Mishawaka, Indiana.

"At a time when the auto industry overall continues to struggle and the country is losing good manufacturing jobs, we are pleased to help create or save upwards of 1,000 jobs between direct and supplier positions nationwide," continued Schembri.

The vehicle features a deployable access ramp with a 1,200-pound weight capacity, a spacious 36-inch entryway, and a roomy interior that seats up to six people comfortably. The vehicle is also available with a manufacturer engineered and assembled compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling system option.

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Citing Information and Page References

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Cite This Page (APA): Langtree, I. C. (2010, July 20 - Last revised: 2024, June 18). ADA 20th Anniversary Debut of MV-1 Factory Built Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved February 9, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/disability/transport/wheelchair-vehicle.php

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