Archived Feature Articles Summaries
Congratulations... St. Louis Rugby Rams Win National Championship Tournament!
Who are the Rugby Rams? The St. Louis Rugby Rams are a Hard Hitting, Fast Moving, High Scoring, Quick Passing, and Adrenaline Rushing wheelchair rugby team! This year they brought home a National Championship in April 2012. Undefeated in the tournament, the Rugby Rams won the Division 2 National Championship against the Seattle Slam with a score of 49 to 46. Congratulations Rugby Rams...We can't wait for next season! To see tournament results please click here.
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Congratulations to our United Access Customers Kerri Morgan, Ben Andersen, Mike Schamburg, Clayton Braun, Larry Porter, Glen Bell, Steve Reisenbichler and our United Access Employees Lauren Brummett and Kevin Geekie!
For more information about the St. Louis Rugby Rams please click here. |
United Access and Kenny Kalish Hit the Track at the Texas Motor Speedway
Marine Corporal Kenneth J. Kalish lies in a bed in Bethesda Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Kenny is missing one arm and both legs. This is not the beginning of the story, nor is it the end. It is the middle. Click here to read the whole story.
Veteran's Appreciation Offer
In addition to any other rebates offered on that vehicle - Braunability and VMI our offering additional discounts for our veterans. See United Access for details offers apply to new conversions and are for a limited time only. Click here for full details.
Local St. Louis Family Receives Gift of Accessibility from United Access
United Access, a family-owned mobility equipment dealer with two St. Louis locations, will gift a 1989 Ford E-250 with a wheelchair lift and lock-down system to Darcy Kohl of Pevely, MO, and her family on Monday, October 31, 2011. After visiting United Access to see the mobility equipment options available for her family, Kohl was eventually chosen as a recipient of a donated van. Richard Venhaus, General Manager of United Access comments "Having a child in a wheelchair can put a lot of pressure on someone without access to a mobility vehicle. We hope that her new Ford van will provide her family with a renewed sense of ease and security." Click here to read the whole story.
United Access Customer Tops 309,000 in Wheelchair Van
309,000 (and counting). That's how many miles Steven Ray of Dallas, Texas, has put on his 2000 Dodge BraunAbility Entervan in the past decade or so. We heard this staggering number from our friends at United Access in Dallas, who have gotten to know Steven, not just because of the hundreds of hours he spends volunteering for local (and not-so-local) disability causes.. but also because he happens to have a rather incredible BBQ sauce recipe (which he shares with the dealership by the gallon). Click here to read the whole story.
Save the Date for MDA's Muscle Walk
MDA Muscle Walk is a great opportunity for your friends and family to come together and raise money for muscular dystrophy research. Start forming your team and flexing your muscle for the 2012 Muscle Walk! Together we can fight muscle diseases. All funds raised by your team can be designated to a specific diagnosis (i.e. DMD, ALS, CMT, Myotonic MD, etc..) or to MDA's general funds. Click here for more information.
H.E.L.P.S., Helping Elderly Live Privately and Safely
Committed to helping you or your loved one remain as independent as possible and prevent pre-mature nursing home care or institutionalization. They believe in aging-in-place and want to support you in the goals that you desire, in a safe environment. Click here for more information.
Help the Dallas Jr Wheelchair Mavericks
The Dallas Jr Wheelchair Mavericks are members of Albertsons' Community Partners Program and we have an exclusive chance to earn a $7,500 grant. The Dallas Wheelchair Mavericks endeavor to use our resources to maintain a competitive wheelchair basketball team. Use our resources to help improve the condition of the lives of individuals with disabilities. Use our resources to support agencies working to help improve the condition of the lives of individuals with disabilities. Click here for more information!
STL HELPS Equipment Drive
Can you imagine not being able to move around freely? Can you imagine the frustration of not being able to afford medical equipment? Can you imagine the feeling of not being independent? Can you imagine not taking action? Fortunately, now there's HELP. For more information on how you can help with their annual fall equipment drive click here.
Shelby Residential and Vocational Services
Shelby Residential and Vocational Services, also known as SRVS, is an organization that supports children and adults with disabilities in the Memphis area. SRVS provides a vast variety of services including Community Living Residential Services, Employment Concepts, Vocational Training and Job Placement Programs, Day Center, the Family Support Program, Community Participation, Professional and Clinical Services and Elder Care and Adult Supports. Click here to get the whole story.
Laura Klaus for Texas RehabACTion Network Board
United Access employee Laura Klaus is running to be on the Texas RehabACTion Network in Dallas, TX and she needs your support. Texas RehabACTion Network is one of the largest non-profit organizations of its kind. There members represent a diversity of voices that understand the value of the public Vocational Rehabilitation program and are dedicated to advocating for and promoting the public VR program in Texas. Click here to get the whole story.
Let the Buyer Beware-Caveat Emptor
Now more than ever, in today's struggling economy, is this Latin Phrase (Let the Buyer Beware) accurate. One of our customers stated that in his haste to buy an accessible vehicle he ignored the old saying, "If it looks too good to be true, it probably is". That was the case this time. Below is a warning about our customer's bad experience with trying to purchase an accessible vehicle via the internet.Click here to get the whole story!
Erikaslist.org
Erikaslist is a list of bookmarks for the Disability Community. “The big blue book of bookmarks for people with disabilities” They have created a comprehensive informational reference for the disability community. If your company, resource, or organization is disability related, we will “bookmark” it. Over 1,350 bookmarks to date! Eriikaslist.org is designed to serve the Disability Community. It is designed to be a reference for disability information on the internet. Click here to get the whole story.
Homes for Heroes-Real Discounts, For Real Heroes
Homes for Heroes is a company that affiliates with Realtors, lenders and other real estate related service providers who provide substantial rebates and discounts to the heroes who serve our nation and its communities every day. Our Heroes include military personnel, firefighters, law enforcement officers and others who make our communities a better place to live. .Click here to get the whole story!
Second Location Opened in South County St. Louis, MO to Better Serve Customers
United Access, a long-time leader in the mobility industry, has today announced the opening of a second dealership location in the St. Louis, MO, area. United Access is dedicated to ensuring customers have the best access to handicap vans, wheelchair accessible vans and other needed mobility equipment, and with their second location, this is more possible than ever before. Click here to get the whole story.
Remembering IMPACT Founder Dick Goodwin
Dick Goodwin, the founder of IMPACT Inc., an independent living advocacy group passed away at age 65. Goodwin graduated from Alton High School in 1964, but he was known best as for his work running IMPACT, an Alton-based independent living advocacy group for people with disabilities. "He was very intelligent, very caring and very tough. He was a fighter," said Associate Judge Nelson Metz, one of his best friends.Click here to get the whole story.
Product Spot light: 2011 Dodge & Chrysler Lowered Floor Minivans are here!
The 2011 Dodge & Chrysler Lowered floor minivans have arrived! The new and improved model has been called a Consumers Digests best buy. Most powerful engine in its class and a fresh new interior, America’s best selling minivan ever is here. United Access offers a full lineup of the best wheelchair conversion from BraunAbility, Vantage Mobility International, and El Dorado National. Check out our full inventory of new vehicles now or call us at 877-503-9399 today!
United Access is presented with the Braun President’s Club Award
United Access was recently awarded with the Braun President’s club award for outstanding sales of Braun products in 2010. This award is representative of the new look of the BraunAbility brand and how their mobility products are constantly evolving. United Access sells Braun wheelchair lifts and wheelchair accessible vans. This award is given to the highest Braun performers in the nation. It was based on overall sales numbers and customer service ratings. United Access is proud to offer all of the high quality Braun product lines.
Patriot PAWS
Patriot PAWS was established as a not-for-profit organization in 2006. The mission of Patriot PAWS is to train and provide service dogs for the benefit of disabled American veterans and others with mobile disabilities in order to help restore their physical and emotional independence. Patriot PAWS does not place a dog younger than 18 months. Training costs approximately $20,000 to $30,000 and all of the money needed to care for the dogs-in-training is donated which makes donations and volunteers even more crucial. Click here to get the whole story.
Win-Win Organizational Relationships
Cooperation between the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) and amputee support groups across the country is a vital part of the ACA’s mission, with mutual benefits for the ACA and support groups, says Susan Tipton, ACA’s national peer network coordinator. The ACA has advocacy and informational resources, while the support groups have the direct contacts with the amputee population that the ACA serves. These combined resources result in a win-win outcome for amputees everywhere. Click here to get the whole story.
Unlimited Play
Why do playgrounds matter? Because it is a place where children can stretch both their muscles and imaginations, foster friendships, create memories, and develop a greater sense of understanding for children who may be different. Traditional playgrounds pose barriers to children with disabilities and/or life threatening illnesses. Unlimited play is an expert at designing and mobilizing resources to make the dream of a universally accessible playground a reality for all communities. Click here to help.
Alpha One
Alpha One annually assists more than 4,000 people of all ages, including children and the elderly, with a range of disabilities: mobility impairments, traumatic brain injury, deafness, blindness, other vision and hearing impairments, developmental disabilities, mental illness, mental retardation, and AIDS. For more than two decades, Alpha One has been responsive to the needs of individuals with disabilities, initiating, advocating for, and implementing systems change to overcome the barriers that prevent people with disabilities from living independently. Click here for more information!
Job Opportunities with MS Society
MS stops people from moving. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society exists to make sure it doesn't. Through our 50-state network of chapters we help each person address the challenges of living with MS. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society founded in 1946, funds more MS research, provides more services to people with MS, offers more professional education and furthers more advocacy efforts than any other MS organization in the world. The Society is dedicated to achieving a world free of MS. We are people who want to do something about MS now. The National MS Society Gateway Area Chapter, based in St. Louis, seeks a goal-oriented Program Manager to become a vital team member of the Program & Services Department based in our St. Louis, MO location. If you would like more information about the positions available email hr@gatewaymssociety.org
Product Spot light: Goshichi Trucks
Looking for a Wheelchair Lift Accessible Truck? Tired of the Van? Choose from a GMC Sierra or Chevrolet Silverado. Lose the Van. Get a Wheelchair Accessible GoShiChi truck from United Access, contact us for more information!
Walk and Roll
Missouri KIDS is having there Walk 'n' Roll fundraiser Saturday, April 16th, 2011 at 9am. Missouri K.I.D.S. is a resource for families whose school-aged children suffer major spinal damage and have lost the use of their bodies below the waist or neck. Many such injuries occur during sporting activities, but those hurt under other circumstances also are eligible for assistance if they participate in athletics. Click here for more information!
Prime Access
Has banking been a challenge to you or someone you know, due to a spinal cord injury or other disability? As an individual with a spinal cord injury, a family member, friend, or client; you know that living with a disability is challenging and can present many obstacles in maintaining independence. Things that many people take for granted, even online banking, can be significantly problematic. Click here to read more!
The Society of Accessible Travel & Hospitality
The Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH), founded in 1976, is an educational nonprofit membership organization whose mission is to raise awareness of the needs of all travelers with disabilities, remove physical and attitudinal barriers to free access and expand travel opportunities in the United States and abroad. Members include travel professionals, consumers with disabilities and other individuals and corporations who support our mission. For more information click here.
Rise Above by Ralph W. Braun
Summary:
Imagine it’s 1946, you are six years old and on your way back home after a visit with doctors in a big hospital a long way from home. You are not really sure why you had to go, but it is what your Mom and Dad wanted you to do. Unbeknownst to you, your parents are concerned about you because you don’t walk, run, climb steps, get up from the floor, and other actions the way other kids your age do. Also not known by you at the time, the doctors told your parents you have Muscular Dystrophy and your life will most likely end before you become a teenager.
Click here to read the full story
Recruiting Research Study Participants to Compare the Perception of Vocal Ability of Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis and their Caregivers
The purpose of the survey is to compare the perceived vocal ability of individuals with multiple sclerosis by the individual with MS and by their primary caregiver. The primary objective is to determine if there is difference in perceived vocal ability between the two groups and can be managed more effectively. Click here to read the whole story!
Positive Changes 67 Pro Street Camaro Giveaway
Positive Changes will be giving away this 1967 Camaro to one lucky person. Their mission is to promote issues pertaining to accessibility to funding sources and services for people facing lifetime challenges due to disability. Tickets are being sold for a requested donation of $30 each. To find out what it is all about or to see pictures Click here for more information!
DSO Holiday Party Open House
The Holidays are here again and we are ready to celebrate! Delta Sigma Omicron (DSO), the disability service organization at the University of Illinois, AMBUCS, 92.5 The Chief, and the Optimist Club of Champaign-Urbana are hosting the DSO Annual Holiday Party. This party is for children with disabilities and their families from East Central Illinois. Click here for more information!
Uncommon Grace from Uncommon People
My Name is Sarah Glover. As ownders of United Access I wanted to write this letter about your office in Kansas City. Let me give you a little history I guess would be in order. Click here to read the whole story!
St. Louis Area Disability Vote Summit
Know the issues, know your rights...VOTE! Thursday October 14th, 2010 hear the candidates answer YOUR questions during our candidate forum (6:00pm-8:00pm). Learn about your rights as a voter with a disability and how to vote from home. Test accessible voting equipment and provide feedback to an election board. Discuss major campaign issues and the November's ballot measures. Click here for more information!
Life my way...Advocacy in action
Make Your Voice Heard! Your Future Depends on YOU!! Invited candidates for Illinois State Senate: Kyle McCarter, Tim Dudley, William Haine, James Clayborne, David Luechtefeld, and Jeremy Walker. Invited candidates for illinois State Representative: Ron Stephens, Daniel Beiser, Jay Hoffman, Dwight Kay, Joseph Avellone, Thomas Holbrook, Eddie Jackson, Glenn Farley & Dan Reitz. Will they commit to supporting the needs of people with disabilities in Metro East Area of Southern Illinois? Click here to read the whole story!
Sarah on MDA Telethon
Kirkwood resident celebrates 10th anniversary as MDA national goodwill ambassador. "I loved it, the whole experience," said Sarah, as support dog Gracie, a 9-year-old black Labrador retriever, snoozed near her motorized wheelchair. "During 2001, I went all over the country to corporate sponsor events, to talk to people about why it's so important to help MDA. And getting out of school to do all the traveling was awesome." Click here to read the whole story!
Independence- Hildebrandt Contracting can help you become more independent in your home
Rather than boring you with a sales pitch or explaining in great detail every aspect of my business I’d like to take this time instead to talk about “independence”. This one simple word is how we describe the emotion that drives every single creature on this planet. Click here to read the whole story!
Adventures with the Paralyzed Veterans of America, By Gerry Davis Personal Mobility/United Access Springfield, Illinois
To say the least I was more than impressed with the camaraderie, sportsmanship, and the effort shown by everyone involved with the tournament. Most of the shooters are wheelchair users. Some of the standers have a disability which makes it difficult to hold a shotgun upright, let alone fire it at a 4 inch flying target with accuracy. Click here to read the whole story!
The Brain Association of Missorui 2010 Conference
The Brain Injury Association of Missouri mission is to reduce the incidence of brain injury, to promote acceptance, independence and productivity of persons with brain injury and to support their families and caregivers. Click here for more information!
101: Enhancing participation of Nonprofits in the Legislative Process
In an effort to assist non-profit community in becoming more effective in influencing legislation at the state level these free workshops have been developed. Click here for more information!
Steven Cash Awarded With ESPN ESPY
Cash walked the red carpet in the 18th year of the ESPY Awards Ceremony last night, an evening dedicated to commemorate the most exciting moments, greatest achievement and top performances in athletics around the world. Cash was one of five Vancouver Parlympians nominated for an ESPN ESPY award. Click here to read the whole story!
Living Well Young Adult Group
Living Well Young Adult Group announces once a week meetings designed to develop trust and self-confidence by helping individuals explore their inner strengths and discover true feelings with physical disabilities requiring a wheelchair. The group will enable participants the courage to seek independence and effective interdependence, while converting passions into occupations. Click here for more details!
Unlimited Options
The law is everywhere-and there are a few situations that don’t have legal implications. A strong legal education provides invaluable and transferable skills that allow law graduates to excel in numerous careers. Click here to read the whole story!
St. Louis Help
Do Have Medical Equipment that is not being used? do you Need Medical Equipment?
Now there is HELP...We accept donations of manual and power wheelchairs, scooters, canes/crutches/walkers, shower chairs, grab bars, elevated toilet seats, portable commodes, lift chairs, seating cushions, back supports, folding ramps, stair lifts - nearly every type of medical equipment. St. Louis HELP receives donations of new or previously owned medical devices from the community. The items are cleaned, refurbished, and loaned to individuals in need, at no cost. Recycle? Revitalize? Redistribute? Equipment donation drive, Saturday, May 8th 2010 9AM to 2PM. For more information including drop off locations please contact us at: St. Louis HELP (314)567-4700. St. Louis HELP is a non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible.
TWO COMPANIES COME TOGETHER
Three businesses in two different fields have come together because of one type of exercise machine. 68 Inside Sports, owned by former KC Chiefs all- pro lineman Will Shield isn’t your typical sports/health club. They were trying to become more disabled friendly and so started utilizing the Alter G treadmill, also known as the “Anti Gravity.” The machine was originally meant for sports injuries but Travis Worley at 68 Inside Sports saw a need to help more than just those suffering from sports injuries. He called Tony at United Access to see if the equipment would benefit the disabled community. The people at UA took the idea and ran with it. We started thinking, “who can we get to try this system?” The first person that came to mind was our customer, friend and employee Brian Bradford. read the whole story
NEW MS. WHEELCHAIR KANSAS CROWNED
Wichita teacher to serve as advocate and spokesperson for people with disabilities
TOPEKA, Kan. ? The 2010 Ms. Wheelchair Kansas (MWKS) was recently crowned during a weekend ceremony held March 14, 2010, at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Topeka, Kan. Tiffany Nickel of Wichita received her crown after participating in four judging sessions, as well as many other activities, throughout the three-day event held March 12-14. The weekend concluded with a formal crowning, where Tiffany was chosen as the new titleholder and fellow contestants Sharon Joseph of Topeka and Brooke Ziegler of Wichita were recognized for their accomplishments. read the whole story
Another Satisfied Customer!
If you have been wondering how a new accessible van will change your life, here is our story: I am a young father who has a little girl in a wheelchair.? As you undoubtedly know, there are challenges that come with having a loved one in a chair. I think it is important to outline the true impact that having a vehicle like this will have on your life. read the whole story
The St. Louis United Access Family Saves Valentine's Day
As any guy would agree, the only thing worse than forgetting about Valentine's Day would be having a romantic date planned and not being able to get out of the driveway. That's what happened when Karen Squire headed out for wine tasting, eagle watching, and dinner last Friday with David, her partner of seven years. Karen rolled onto her Vangater lift and pushed the control to raise the lift, but nothing happened. After some repair attempts by David, she convinced him to call their local dealership, United Access in St. Louis. read the whole story
Katie Rodriguez Banister - Ms. Wheelchair Missouri 2010
In 1990, Katie Rodriguez Banister survived an auto accident that left her a quadriplegic, paralyzed from the chest down. After six months of rehabilitation and 15 months residing with her parents, she returned to living independently in 1992. Katie worked as the Access Coordinator for the city of Webster Groves, Missouri, for five years. Prior to her accident, she was a latch-key director, a sales representative, a customer support representative, and social director. read the whole story
Lambert's Cafe - "The Only Home of Throwed Rolls"
In 1942, Earl and Agnes Lambert started with $1,500 and the idea to serve top notch vegetables, meat, and dessert in Sikeston, Missouri. Since then, Lambert's Caf? has become well known as one of the best eateries around! Their menu includes a variety of tasty sandwiches, chicken, beef, steak & ribs, "slice o' hog", fish & shrimp, vegetables, and desserts! Also, a kid's menu, and their widely popular "Pass-Arounds", which include fried potatoes & onions, macaroni & tomatoes, black-eyed peas, fried okra, hot rolls & sorghum! read the whole story
UNITED ACCESS AT MUSCLE BASH 2010!!
The goal of finding a cure for muscular dystrophy is promising. That message was echoed by Donald Breckenridge, Jr., MDA National VP, "We work, fight, hope and pray for a cure and good news is shortly down the road." United Access was on hand for the seventh annual MDA Muscle Bash, which has been a repeated contributor to the event. read the whole story
Walking Closer To A Cure For Multiple Sclerosis...One Step At A Time
Suzan Knese has been participating in Walk MS for a decade and always finds the time and energy to make it a part of her spring. "For me it's a testament for all those people whose daily lives are affected by MS and the uncertainty and challenges that come with it," Suzan said. "It's for the people I see in the doctor's office who are in a wheelchair and that it's just by a stroke of luck that I could be that person. It's an opportunity to give back and pay tribute to people who have been so affected. It's a chance to raise money to find a better treatment and ultimately a cure for MS." read the whole story
Parkinson Foundation of the Heartland celebrates Parkinson?s Awareness Month
April is many things to different people.? April is a very special month to the Parkinson Foundation of the Heartland?It?s not only the first full month of spring, but it s also Parkinson?s Awareness Month.? April is the month when the first of many fund-raising events and activities for the Foundation are held. The Parkinson Foundation of the Heartland would like to extend an invitation to everyone to participate in all of their upcoming fundraising eventsincluding those mentioned below. On Saturday, April 3, 2010, the Foundation is hosting the BasketBALL Gala at the College Basketball Experience in downtown Kansas City.? The 10th Annual BasketBALL for Parkinson?s Disease is an event that takes place during the NCAA men?s Final Four semi-final basketball games. read the whole story
Spirit Elite Cheerleading
Spirit Elite Cheerleading is proud to join 160+ AllStar Gyms throughout the USA in offering this very special program to some very special athletes! The special needs cheer program is open to children and young adults, boys and girls, ages 5 - 18. Competitive cheerleading builds physical fitness, coordination, self confidence and discipline. Spirit Elite will provide well-qualified staff dedicated to providing an enriching, rewarding and of course fun experience for your entire family! The staff is made up of cheerleading coaches that are current or former educators! For more information check out there website at www.SpiritElite.net
Variety Week 2010 inspires St. Louis Community
Variety the Children?s Charity of St. Louis is excited to announce the schedule for its 2010 Variety Week, April 17-24. Variety Week was launched in 2004 as a means to maximize awareness and fundraising opportunities to benefit local children with disabilities. The success of this week is key to helping Variety kids, and brings in the majority of the funds needed for the year. All other support comes from private donors and the business community ? the organization accepts no government funding. read the whole story
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