Over the past year, our team at Bridge to Mobility has been working tirelessly to improve the lives of people with disabilities. We’ve made significant progress in addressing the issue that 96% of wheelchair users don’t have access to reliable transportation that meets their needs. Gerhard Schmidt, Executive Director of Bridge to Mobility, said, “Working closely with our Mission Team of 35 volunteers and our Board Chair Marilyn Clark, we are continuing to carry forward the vision of ‘Accessibility for All’ started by the late Taylor Clark and his partner Bill Koeblitz.”
Our organization is making a real difference in the lives of people with disabilities. With each wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV) purchased, a person can more easily access education, employment, healthcare, and other essential services. This freedom can profoundly improve their quality of life, allowing them to live more independently and achieve their full potential.
Understanding the Urgency
To underscore the urgency of our mission, it’s important to consider some concerning statistics:
- 45% of wheelchair users don’t have access to accessible public transportation
- Median incomes for disabled individuals are 30% lower than for non-disabled individuals
- The poverty rate for individuals with disabilities is 150% higher than their able-bodied counterparts
- WAV affordability has decreased due to a 54% cost increase over the past five years and a 22-year high in interest rates
As a non-profit organization, Bridge to Mobility is committed to making transportation accessible. Our organization is working hard to raise awareness of this ongoing issue and develop innovative solutions to positively impact the lives of people with disabilities.
Some of the key achievements of Bridge to Mobility this year include:
- Providing last-dollar funding for seven WAV grants by the end of the year
- Educating over 1,000 people with disabilities about the resources available to them
Thriving Through Values and Collaboration
“The story of Bridge to Mobility all begins with the Mission Team, which are all the volunteers that have stepped up across the industry. They’re all people that I’ve known over my 17 years in this field and new people I’ve met as a result of launching this effort,” said Gerhard Schmidt about the organization’s mission.
Our core values – Inclusion, Transparency, Excitement, Empowerment, and Impact – drive our mission. Collaborative partnerships with industry leaders, dealers, and skilled individuals across various fields have been hugely beneficial. Their support extends beyond board commitments, including fundraising through voluntary payroll deductions and WAV donations.
We’ve formed synergistic partnerships with mission-aligned non-profits like Help Hope Live, Youth Challenge, Help Our Military Heroes, Operation Triage, SteelWheelers, USA Wheelchair Lacrosse, Access on the Go, and Conquer Paralysis Now. These collaborations ensure that our mission is translated into action, guaranteeing full accessibility and opportunities for people in wheelchairs.
We’ve partnered with over 350 National Medical Equipment Dealers (NMEDA), WAV manufacturers and suppliers, and industry volunteers to educate individuals in wheelchairs on available financial and educational resources.
Gerhard is passionate about Bridge to Mobility’s mission to provide last-dollar funding for wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs) to people who need them. He is proud of the organization’s work to help people with disabilities live more independently. “I’ve had the opportunity to meet some amazing people and make a real difference in their lives,” said Gerhard. “I know a grandfather who came home and was going to be housebound, but he’s out there visiting his grandkids and attending their sporting and social events. And I know a lady who had freedom and independence, got progressively more challenged, and we were able to help retrofit her van and get her back on the road. Bridge to Mobility is making a real difference in the lives of people with disabilities.”
Gerhard and everyone supporting the organization is grateful for the opportunity and encourage others to get involved as well.
Join the Movement: Wheels of Change
Our work directly contributes to the strength of communities across the U.S. and Canada. With each person we help gain access to a life-changing wheelchair-accessible vehicle, we support education, employment, health, and the other essential pillars of long-term economic growth.
Please consider investing in our mission and strengthening Bridge to Mobility. Your support can make a significant difference in the lives of those with physical disabilities. Your contribution helps us provide last-dollar funding to support the freedom of children, veterans, caregivers, and families. Together, we can build more inclusive communities for everyone.
