The Adaptive Driving Alliance New Technology Award was created to showcase new technology for the automotive adaptive industry which otherwise would not be able to make it to market.  It provides seed money and exposure for new automotive adaptive ideas and innovations specifically aimed at individuals with disabilities.  Each year, up to three finalists receive $1,000 apiece to attend and display their product at the NMEDA conference, where NMEDA donates conference registration and exhibit space.  For winning, Further OPTIONS received an additional $2,000. 

"The ADA New Technology Award is an important aspect of the mobility industry," said Dave Hubbard, CEO for NMEDA.  "It encourages technological advancement, supplies encouragement and opportunity to individuals who might not otherwise receive it, and moves automotive mobility forward.  NMEDA is proud to be associated with this excellent award program."

The other finalists for the award were brothers Jacques and Roch Comeau of Montreal-based Newturn Assistive Technologies, who were honored for their novel mechanical actuator system which allows disabled individuals to operate turn signals, headlights and wipers using alternative switches or buttons.  Worth noting is that both Scott Darnell and Jacques Comeau are quadriplegics who have developed their products to address their own personal needs.

"First," Darnell began, "David and I want to thank the ADA and NMEDA for such a wonderful opportunity, and all those within both organizations for their willingness to embrace and support the development of new technology in presenting those of us within the disabled community with further options.  Also, to David's family and my own, and friends across the board, we most certainly could not have done any of this without you!"

Last year's winner of the ADA New Technology Award was the Accelerator Interlock developed by John Kazanchy.  The product, which locks out the accelerator portion of hand controls, thus eliminating the potential for accidental acceleration of a vehicle by someone not familiar with hand controls, came to market over the past 12 months and was on display at this year's NMEDA conference. 

"The ideas behind both of the finalists for this year's New Technology award were very well received by the dealers," said Paul Musso, Managing Director of the Adaptive Driving Alliance.  "I expect to see both on the market next year at this conference."

The DMS-4 is the result of years of painstaking research, and like its predecessors, it establishes a hybrid method, system and apparatus for moving a person in a wheelchair into a vehicle.  Thus far, Further OPTIONS' DMS-4 system installs within late-model full-size, extended-cab GMC and Chevrolet pickup trucks with suicide-swing rear doors, and is intended for wheelchair-bound drivers to use to operate these vehicles themselves with no assistance required – or to safely ride in their chairs in a vehicle's passenger position.  Following the Daytona Beach conference, Further OPTIONS is set to immediately begin filling orders for turnkey installations. 

"We hope to have a lot of satisfied customers operating DMS-4-equipped trucks very soon," Darnell said.

Offerings on Further OPTIONS' website include a list of Frequently Asked Questions and a video tracing the development of the different DMS models Darnell has driven from his Quickie P200 wheelchair since Further OPTIONS completed its first prototype in 2003.

About Further OPTIONS
Established in 2003 by co-founders Scott Darnell and David Gotter, Further OPTIONS is a developer of innovative mobility systems for wheelchair-bound individuals.  After debuting its first product at the 2006 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the company's Patent-pending DMS-4 was unveiled at the 2009 National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association Annual Conference, where it was honored by NMEDA and the Adaptive Driving Alliance with their 2009 New Technology Award for Innovation in Engineering and Technology for the physically challenged. For additional information, please call 1-618-664-3178, or visit www.further-options.com.

About the Adaptive Driving Alliance
The Adaptive Driving Alliance is a nationwide group of vehicle modification dealers who provide van conversions, hand controls, wheelchair lifts, scooter lifts, tie downs, conversion van rentals, paratransit and other adaptive equipment for disabled drivers and passengers.  More information is available by visiting www.adamobility.com, or by calling 1-877-853-1402.  Entry forms for the Adaptive Driving Alliance New Technology Award are available by contacting the ADA or NMEDA.

About NMEDA
NMEDA is a non-profit trade association of mobility equipment dealers, driver rehabilitation specialists, and other professionals dedicated to broadening the opportunities for people with disabilities to drive or be transported in vehicles modified with mobility equipment. All members work together to improve transportation options of people with disabilities.  More information is available by visiting www.nmeda.org, or by calling 1-800-833-0427.