Dear Future Mission Team Members,
I am excited to share how I am committing my time and effort after a rewarding career on Wall Street. I am chairperson of Bridge to Mobility. Bridge to Mobility is the only nationally recognized nonprofit organization that focuses exclusively on increasing access to Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs).
My late husband, Taylor Clark, was a founding partner in MobilityWorks, an industry leader in the distribution of WAVs in the U.S. His dream was to provide “Access for All” to individuals in need of a WAV. Today, I now carry Taylor’s torch.
More than 2 million people across North America desperately need a WAV, yet only 4% of these deserving individuals have access to a private vehicle. The number one reason: affordability. Bridge to Mobility has mobilized and energized the entire WAV industry to change the statistics around accessibility. We simply cannot accept that 96% of individuals in wheelchairs lack mobility outside of their home.
Bridge to Mobility has partnered with 350+ National Medical Equipment Dealers (NMEDA), WAV manufactures, suppliers, and industry volunteers across the U.S. and Canada to educate individuals in wheelchairs on the financial and educational resources available to them. Bridge to Mobility has established a transparent process to provide last-dollar funding to individuals in need so they can secure a WAV.
In our journey to develop Bridge to Mobility, we have partnered with outstanding organizations to achieve synergistic results in our combined mission. To date, these include Help Hope Live, Youth Challenge, SteelWheelers, USA Wheelchair Lacrosse and Access on the Go. On a proactive basis, we continue to nurture collaborations in order to put mission into action and ensure people in wheelchairs have full accessibility.
The lack of access to wheelchair accessible vehicles prevents students with disabilities from attending school, resulting in chronic absenteeism. This leads to staggeringly low graduation rates for students living with disabilities, in both high school and college. Transportation is the main barrier that prevents students with disabilities from attending school, adults from securing steady employment, and people of all ages from pursuing their passions, dreams, and aspirations.
Our disabled military heroes and veterans are all anxious to resume a more active life in their communities. We all discovered during COVID the dramatic impact on health when medical appointments are missed or delayed. This is a constant reality for individuals in wheelchairs who lack a private vehicle. Our military partners include Operation Triage and Help our Military Heroes.
The communities that Bridge to Mobility serves across the U.S. and Canada are made stronger with each person who has access to a WAV. Our work directly supports education, employment, and healthcare — all vital pillars to any region’s long-term economic growth. With each person we empower through a WAV, we are improving lives and fostering more inclusive communities for everyone. Disability does not discriminate.
Our Board and related subcommittees include the WAV industry founders across the U.S., current industry CEOs, and individuals skilled in technology, legal, marketing, social media, and finance. These industry leaders are demonstrating their support not only through their board commitment but also by helping to raise needed funds for Bridge to Mobility via employee payroll deduction plans, recently launched at the leading manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers of WAVs.
I invite you to visit our Bridge to Mobility website, and stay tuned for our videos from our adaptive sports partners. You will see brave, accomplished individuals living with physical disabilities enjoying whitewater rafting, competing in lacrosse tournaments, motorcycling, and playing in competitive national basketball leagues. You will find parents and children who are now able to attend and participate in life events as a family, a simple but life-changing gift.
Please consider investing in our mission and strengthening Bridge to Mobility. Together, we can change lives in the disability community.
Yours in accelerating accessibility,
Marilyn Clark Chairperson Bridge to Mobility Marilyn@bridgetomobility.org Cell 216-469-2560
