FURTHER OPTIONS' DMS-4
IN RUNNING FOR TECHNOLOGY AWARD AT
2009 MOBILITY EQUIPMENT DEALERS CONFERENCE
Engineering and Technology Innovation Award for Physically
Challenged to be Presented at Ceremony on Fri., Feb. 6
ST.
LOUIS—(Feb. 2, 2009)—Further OPTIONS, Inc. (www.further-options.com)),
a developer of innovative mobility systems for wheelchair-bound individuals,
today announced that it has been nominated by the Adaptive Driving Alliance
(ADA) as a finalist for their annual New Technology Award for Innovation
in Engineering and Technology for the physically challenged. The
company’s co-founders, Scott Darnell of Greenville, Illinois, and David
Gotter of Jerseyville, Illinois, will be exhibiting the newest version
of their U.S. Patent-pending DMS-4 Pickup Truck Wheelchair Entry System
at NMEDA’s (National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association) annual conference
in Daytona Beach, Florida, which begins on Feb. 4 and wraps-up with an
awards ceremony on Feb. 6. Further OPTIONS is among three finalists
for the ADA Award.
Gotter
and Darnell established Further OPTIONS in 2003 to develop innovative vehicle
entry systems and other breakthrough products for wheelchair-bound individuals.
As a result of a spinal cord injury in 1991, Darnell is a C-6/5 quadriplegic.
Together with Gotter, he has pursued a mutual dream of helping create important
new mobility options for others in wheelchairs. Having introduced
their first product at the 2006 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, they will now unveil
their Patent-pending DMS-4 system exclusively for NMEDA conference attendees.
“Being
part of SEMA in 2006 really got things going for us,” Darnell said.
“In 2008, we began building a new version of our lift inside a 2008 Chevrolet
Silverado pickup. Now, we’re very proud to be unveiling that at the
NMEDA conference, and to have the chance to discuss next-level business
opportunities there. And who knows, we may even bring home the ADA
award, which would be unbelievable.” Darnell plans to personally
be on hand at the company’s NMEDA displays demonstrating the DMS-4 system,
answering questions and meeting with potential business partners.
Following the conference, the DMS-4-equipped Chevy will become Darnell’s
personal mode of transportation.
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, 2-wheel drive
Chevrolet and GMC pickup trucks offering 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. Based on their own capacity to
immediately begin delivering system components and performing turnkey installations,
Further OPTIONS’ goals for the Daytona Beach conference are to cement relationships
with key technology and distribution partners.
Following
the conference, Further OPTIONS anticipate having more news to share with
drivers interested in getting their own DMS-4-equipped vehicles.
“We’re closer than ever to being able to either take orders ourselves or
point interested drivers toward specific dealers in their areas,” Darnell
said. “Our painstaking approach to delivering the best product possible
has required a lot of R and D, and we hope to have a lot of satisfied customers
operating DMS-4-equipped trucks very soon.”
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 2004.
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 will be unveiled at the 2009 National Mobility
Equipment Dealers Association Annual Conference, in competition for the
2009 Adaptive Driving Alliance 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.
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2008 Chevrolet Silverado Extended Cab featuring the DMS-4, owned and operated by co-inventor Scott Darnell, a 6'-5" C-6/5 quad, from his Quickie P200 wheelchair. DMS-4 System for full-size, extended cab GMC and Chevrolet pickup trucks with suicide-swing rear doors. Photo courtesy of Further OPTIONS, Inc. Click thumbnail for 72dpi image. 300 dpi version here.
Further OPTIONS' Co-Founder David Gotter with Larry Desherlia debuting the DMS-3 at the 2006 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, renowned as the “greatest automotive show in the world, where everything new makes its debut.” David Gotter (L) and Larry Desherlia (R). Photo courtesy of Further OPTIONS, Inc. Click thumbnail for 72dpi image. 300 dpi version here.
Further OPTIONS' Co-Founders Scott Darnell (L) and David Gotter (R). Photo courtesy of Further OPTIONS, Inc. Click thumbnail for 72dpi image. 300 dpi version here.
Further OPTIONS Co-Founder Scott Darnell has used the DMS system for his main transportation for the past five years. Photo courtesy of Further OPTIONS, Inc. Click thumbnail for 72dpi image. 300 dpi version here.
Further OPTIONS Co-Founder Scott Darnell demonstrates use of the DMS-3 System. Photo courtesy of Further OPTIONS, Inc. Click thumbnail for 72dpi image. 300 dpi version here.
Further OPTIONS Co-Founder Scott Darnell with his DMS-3 equipped Dodge 1500 Quad Cab "driver." Photo courtesy of Further OPTIONS, Inc. Click thumbnail for 72dpi image. 300 dpi version here.
