Purchase Process  

Understanding the Industry

Making an educated purchase of adaptive equipment requires you to understand the industry, its players and the relationship between them. The following are the five key components of this industry:

• Manufacturers - Manufacturers fall into two categories. First is the manufacturer of the original vehicle. This refers to companies such as Ford, Toyota, GM, etc. They are also referred to as the OEM Manufacturer. The second is the manufacturer of the adaptive equipment. These companies either manufacture components that "bolt on" to an OEM vehicle or they perform substantial structural and mechanical alterations to the vehicle such as raising the vehicle's roof and door or lowering the vehicle floor. Those that manufacture "bolt on" products are referred to as equipment manufacturers and those that perform substantial structural modifications are referred to as second stage manufacturers, alterers, or modifiers.
• Dealers or Retailers - These are the companies that you, as the consumer, will interact with. They are your retail source for adaptive equipment. They either sell you components and modifications for your existing vehicle or sell you a complete and fully modified vehicle. They are the representatives and distributors of products from many of the second stage manufacturers, alterers or equipment manufacturers.
• Driver Evaluators and Trainers - These are the professional individuals that determine the equipment needs of disabled persons who wish to drive a vehicle independently. They also provide the required training that disabled individuals need in order to effectively and safely drive a modified vehicle.
• NMEDA - NMEDA is the only international non-profit association that is committed to bringing all of the above together in an effort to ensure that the market place for you, as the consumer, is as professional, consistent, and seamless as possible. NMEDA also facilitates the only Quality Assurance Program (QAP) in the industry for the Dealers.
• Customers - You are the customer. Your needs, desires, size, disability, and resources determine how all of the above work together to provide you with the highest level of quality and the greatest value and safety.NMEDA provides a mediation service for its members and for the consumers if they have a serious problem with the products or services provided by one of its members.

The relationship of all five comes together as follows:

You as the consumer contact a dealer(s)/retailer (NMEDA can provide you with the contact information for the dealer closest to you). The dealer learns about your needs, desires and constraints and determines the vehicle(s) and equipment choices that may fit your needs and give you pricing. You evaluate your options, possibly by consulting several dealers, and make a decision. The dealer then:

1. modifies your vehicle with purchased components from equipment manufacturers and/or internal manufacturing processes, or

2. purchases a modified vehicle from a second-stage manufacturer or a modifier and then adds the final "touches" with components from equipment manufactures, or

3. sends your vehicle to a second-stage manufacturer, or modifier for structural modifications before making the final "touches."

The Driver Evaluators and trainers fit into the process in several ways:

1. You may see them before you search for dealers and get a prescription outlining what equipment you may need. This process can include your driving vehicles with different equipment to see what suites your needs the best. The evaluator will document your needs in a written prescription. You will then take the prescription to a dealer for pricing.

2. If you have been evaluated by a driver trainer, they will commonly come to the "fitting" of you in your modified vehicle. The "fitting" is the process of positioning all adaptive equipment in the appropriate locations for your needs.

3. Once the vehicle is complete and you are going to be driving the vehicle independently, the driver evaluator/trainer will teach you how to properly and safely drive your modified vehicle.

During the process, dealers who are NMEDA members and/or participants of NMEDA's QAP Program, follow and abide by detailed guidelines developed by NMEDA that assist in ensuring that the dealer provides you with a quality product, in an efficient manner, with your and other's safety being considered.