by Madonna Long
The Annual APRIL Conference was a huge success for VPG Autos and the MV-1.
The Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL) is a national grass roots, consumer controlled, nonprofit membership organization consisting of centers for independent living, their satellites and branch offices, statewide independent living councils, other organizations and individuals concerned with the independent living issues of people with disabilities living in rural America.
Some highlights of accomplishments:
Keynote Speaker CEO & President Mark Perriello of AAPD gave a tremendous speech on the disability movement and advocacy efforts that many have been working on across the county and in cross disability organizations. Billy Altom, APRIL Executive Director, highlighted the main issues that many Centers for Independent Living were facing across the USA and cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.
Madonna Long, Consumer Advocate for VPG and Ryan Zimmer from VPG Autos enjoyed the APRIL Conference helping advocates and consumers with information on the MV-1 - the only mobility vehicle purpose built for people with disabilities around the USA. Madonna and Ryan attended a press conference at the Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living in Sparks, Nevada where they showcased the MV-1 for Northern Nevada. The main topic with the MV-1 was the shortage of Accessible Taxis in Reno, Nevada. There are currently less than 10 in the entire Reno-Sparks area. Billy Altom and the Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living staff were guests.
The footage can be accessed at this link.
http://www.ktvn.com/story/19778012/vpg-autos-pushes-for-universal-vehicle