Ride-Away Gives Back
Ride-Away employees are dedicated and committed to enriching the quality of life in their community. They come to work every day looking to provide you with the highest quality vehicle and customer service in the vehicle modification industry today. It may be as simple as getting involved in a civic organization, running a relay to fight Multiple Sclerosis or joining in a wide range of community activities, but that has been what Ride-Away has been known for since 1986. Together our 165 employees donate more than 5,000 hours of volunteer time to reach into their communities and support local initiatives.
The large majority of Ride-Away's corporate giving is carried out by local employees at each of our 11 East Coast locations. They work within the community with agencies to identify the best programs to address local needs and enhance quality of life. The organizations and agencies Ride-Away supports are as diverse as the people they assist.
Through our charitable efforts, we have been bestowed with awards from the following organizations:
- ALS Society
- Spinal Cord Injury Association
- Citizens Bank Community Champion
- Continuing Education in Fund Raising (CONFR)
- Multiple Sclerosis Society
- Muscular Dystrophy Association
- National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA)
- Pastoral Counseling Services
- Small Business Administration (SBA)
- Special Olympics
- Special Transit Services, Inc.
- The United Way
- Veteran's Administration
Some of the organizations we work with and support include:
Adaptive Driving Alliance - The Adaptive Driving Alliance (ADA) is a nationwide group of vehicle modification dealers who provide van conversions, hand controls, wheelchair & scooter lifts, tie downs, conversion van rentals, paratransit and other adaptive equipment for drivers and passengers with disabilities. The ADA also promotes quality testing/safety programs, and maintains the highest level of training and certification standards in the industry. All members are Quality Assurance Program (QAP) Certified, which is a program developed and managed by the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA).
Association of Driver Educators for the Disabled (ADED) - This is a non-profit organization that focuses on providing better training and education for the driver evaluators when working with clients that have disabilities. They have created the only industry certification program for driver evaluators around people with disabilities that combine expertise in cognitive skills, various disabilities and their implications for driving, and the actual equipment that gets installed in vehicles to help these clients have a better and safer driving experience. Throughout the last 20 years, Ride Away has donated substantial amounts of both time and money to insure that this organization progresses and thrives.
ALS Association - The ALS Association is the only national not-for-profit health organization dedicated solely to the fight against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The ALS Association provides help and hope to those facing the disease through research, patient and community services, public education and advocacy. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord resulting in muscle weakness and atrophy.
Associations Of Retarded Citizens - The "Arc" is a national organization of and for people with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities and their families. It is devoted to promoting and improving support services as well as fostering research and education regarding the prevention of mental retardation in infants and young children.
Brain Injury Associations - By acting as a clearinghouse of community service information and resources, participating in legislative advocacy, facilitating prevention awareness, hosting educational programs and encouraging research, the Brain Injury Association of America and its affiliates work to reach the millions of individuals living with the "silent epidemic" of brain injury. Each year, at least 1.5 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Help-Your-Self, Inc. - Help-Your-Self, Inc.® is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to enhancing accessibility for people with disabilities by providing practical knowledge and tools to improve people's potential for growth and community participation. They provide tools and services to enable independent living, community integration, reduce barriers, and educate to prevent injuries. Their staff and network of consultants have direct knowledge of disabling circumstances and experience in educating, developing, and implementing policies, and providing services supporting people with disabilities.
National Mobility Equipment Dealer's Association (NMEDA) - NMEDA is a non-profit trade association of mobility equipment dealers, driver rehabilitation specialists, and other professionals dedicated to broadening the opportunities for people with disabilities to drive or be transported in vehicles modified with mobility equipment. NMEDA members are required to adhere to the safety standards of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and to follow strict NMEDA guidelines.
National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA) - The NSCIA educates and empowers survivors of spinal cord injury and disease to achieve and maintain the highest levels of independence, health and personal fulfillment. They provide an innovative peer support network and raise awareness about spinal cord injury and disease through education. Education programs are developed to address information and issues important to the constituency, policy makers, the general public, and the media, and include injury prevention, improvements in medical, rehabilitative and support services, research and public policy formulation.
Next Step Orthotics and Prosthetics - From young children to seniors to world-class athletes, Next Step helps people reach their activity potential and has a reputation for successfully fitting amputees who previously have been unable to achieve a proper fit. They also offer specialized gait analysis and training that ensure a smooth, natural gait. As one of the country's most highly regarded prosthetic firms, Next Step is at the forefront in beta-testing and utilizing state-of-the-art components, giving our clients access to the latest advances in the field.
New England Assistive Technology (NEAT) Marketplace - The NEAT Marketplace provides information and access to equipment and devices that can change the lives of people of all ages, with all types of disabilities, both temporary and permanent. The organization operates under the auspices of The Connecticut Institute for the Blind/Oak Hill.
United Cerebral Palsy - United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is the leading source of information on cerebral palsy and is a pivotal advocate for the rights of persons with any disability. The UCP mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network. The nationwide network of affiliates provide services such as housing, therapy, assistive technology training, early intervention programs, individual and family support, social and recreation programs, community living, state and local referrals, employment assistance and advocacy.
Wheelchair Escapes - Wheelchair Escapes specializes in the customization of your worldwide travel adventures, based on your specific mobility needs. Unlike most travel agencies, they have first hand knowledge and a true understanding and appreciation for the specific traveling needs of wheelchair travelers. Wheelchair Escapes educates their clients on adventure hot spots. They assist them in the preparation for their travels. They know the inside track on accessibility and have opened doors on adventures that people believed were closed forever.
In addition, Ride-Away also supports numerous rehabilitation centers, senior organizations, special transit services and veterans groups. Visit our Additional Resources page to learn more about these organizations.