Local Business Recognized for Their Generosity to Military Families

(CHATTANOOGA, TN): On March 1, 2012, HDS VANS & MOBILITY was recognized by the Tennessee Survivor Outreach Services for supporting surviving military families in the Chattanooga area.  Colonel Patricia Jones, Director of the Tennessee National Guard Military & Family Readiness Operations J9 and James “Russ” Maxey, Army SOS Support Program Coordinator, presented a plaque to Michael Dresdner and Jeromy Stroud, Managers of HDS VANS & MOBILITY.

The presented plaque read “With Sincere Appreciation To HDS Vans & Mobility.  In Grateful Appreciation for your generous monetary support and selfless service to the Surviving Military Families of our Fallen Heroes. You consistently answer the call providing unparalleled support. Tennessee National Guard – J9 Survivor Outreach Services.  Presented this the 1st day of March 2012.”

On November 16, 2011, Russ Maxey sent an email message requesting assistance to a surviving family in desperate need of transportation.  Michael Dresdner, owner of HDS VANS & MOBILITY, received the message and contacted Jeromy Stroud, Branch Manager for the Chattanooga store, and asked if Jeromy had any vehicles he acquired on trade from customers purchasing new wheelchair accessible vans.  Indeed, Jeromy had a vehicle.  Within one week of the original request by email, the surviving family’s transportation struggles were eased.  HDS VANS & MOBILITY was honored to donate the vehicle to help a surviving military family.

HDS VANS & MOBILITY sells and services wheelchair accessible vans, scooter lifts, turning automotive seats, and high-tech driving aids.  There is a store located in Chattanooga and one located in Nashville, Tennessee

James "Russ" Maxey, Jeromy Stroud, Col. Patricia Jones, Michael Dresdner

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MobilityWorks Expands to Twenty Locations in Twelve States with the Acquisition of Handicapped Driver Services (HDS VANS & MOBILITY)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

North America’s largest mobility van provider adds southeast showroom locations displaying wheelchair vans in Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Tennessee

AKRON, OH (PRWEB) Feb 22, 2012 – Less than a month after acquiring the assets of Monmouth Vans Access & Mobility in New Jersey, MobilityWorks announced that has acquired Handicapped Driver Services of Marietta, GA (aka HDS VANS & MOBILITY). HDS has five showrooms located in Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Tennessee with approximately 40 employees. MobilityWorks is the largest provider of wheelchair vans in North America, now with 20 showroom locations in 12 states and a commercial van division. Historically, they have grown the sales volume on acquisitions by over 50%, largely in part due to an emphasis on marketing and in working with market influencers. MobilityWorks represents minivan conversion manufacturers BraunAbility and Vantage Mobility International (VMI) and are their largest resellers in bringing mobility solutions to the disabled community. MobilityWorks has been instrumental in fostering dealership agreements with a clear commitment from the dealer and from the manufacturers. This has improved the industry by allowing partnerships to thrive and serve consumers with the best options available. In addition to new and pre-owned accessible minivans for sale, all of the MobilityWorks store locations offer handicap vans for rent, mechanical service, scooter lifts, wheelchair lifts, hand controls and financing.  HDS was started in 1976 by Jim Craig, a military veteran who wanted to help disabled vets with their modified vehicle needs. At the time, Mr. Craig was training drivers with disabilities to supplement his income. HDS is considered to be an early forerunner of today’s adaptive vehicle dealership, with many different conversion options, certified mobility consultants and local service. Starting with a small building in Atlanta, HDS quickly expanded to other cities and eventually moved its headquarters north to Marietta. Current owner Michael Dresdner took over the reins from Mr. Craig in 1991 and will continue to be a special advisor and consultant with MobilityWorks. He emphasized that determining what equipment will work the best for the client’s physical needs and lifestyle is the most important thing they do.  “Our companies are very similar in how they serve the client and in our core principles” said Michael Dresdner.  “We share the same goal, which is to get things right for the client every time.”  Also staying on through the transition is Scott Sorenson, HDS Chief Operating Officer. He will continue to oversee operations of the five HDS store locations, reporting to Eric Mansfield, VP of Store Operations at the MobilityWorks headquarters in Akron, Ohio.  “Michael Dresdner and Scott Sorenson have been real leaders in our industry and they will continue to be strong advocates for people with disabilities in working with us” said Bill Koeblitz, President/CEO of MobilityWorks. “We’re excited to have them on board.”  The company’s new southeast locations will also help to facilitate the service of its commercial van customers who mostly operate Ford E-Series full-size vans.  MobilityWorks and HDS service center technicians are certified through the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) to install and maintain the most sophisticated equipment and high-tech driving systems available. Combined, they have installed more electronic driving controls than any other adaptive equipment dealer in the world.

About MobilityWorks
The Akron-based Inc 500 company is the largest adaptive vehicle dealer in the United States and now employs more than 300 full-time employees throughout the country. Showroom and service centers are located in AL, CA, FL, GA, IL, MI, NJ, NY, PA, OH, TN and WI. The MobilityWorks Commercial Division is Ford Motor Company’s largest mobility upfitter in the commercial van industry manufacturing non-emergency transportation vehicles. The MobilityWorks Commercial division provides the entire U.S. market with custom fleet vehicles such as ambulette vans, shuttle transports and accessible taxis. They are members of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) and Accessible Vans of America (AVA), a national rental organization of mobility van dealers. For additional information about MobilityWorks, go to
http://www.mobilityworks.com.

About HDS VANS & MOBILITY Handicapped Driver Services
Formed in 1976, Handicapped Driver Services (HDS VANS & MOBILITY) was one of the first mobility dealers in the country to offer wheelchair vans for rent.  HDS offers sales and service of all major lines of adaptive equipment and wheelchair accessible minivans. Their wheelchair van showrooms are located in Birmingham AL, Chattanooga, TN, Jacksonville FL, Marietta GA, and Nashville TN. Certified mobility consultants are on hand at each location to assist with vehicle and equipment selection. HDS is also a member of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA). For additional information about HDS VANS & MOBILITY, go to http://www.hdsvans.com.
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MOBILITYWORKS MEDIA CONTACT: Guy A. Hanford | Director of Marketing | MobilityWorks
Ph. 330-633-1118 | ghanford@mobilityworks.com

Abilities Expo in Atlanta, GA

Abilities Expo Comes to Atlanta, GA!

Products & Services for Persons with Disabilities at the Abilities Expo in Atlanta, GA

If you, or someone you know, would like to witness the year’s BIGGEST event showcasing products and services for people with disabilities, then mark your calendar for February 17th, 18th & 19th to attend Abilities Expo at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA.

HDS VANS & MOBILITY WORKS will be displaying the brand new Chariot from Bruno, the GoShichi wheelchair accessible truck, and the always popular Mobility Conquest wheelchair accessible motorcycle.

Stop by Booth #427 to see these impressive NEW mobility products.  We will also be available to answer questions and demonstrate wheelchair accessible vans by BraunAbility.

Vans for Persons with Disabilities & Other Mobility Products are on Sale Now

It’s the end of the year which means it’s the BEST time to purchase a handicap van from HDS VANS & MOBILITY.  In addition to great savings, BraunAbility & VMI are both offering excellent discounts for veterans.  Call one of our Mobility Consultants at 1-877-HDS-VANS and ask about these end-of-year savings.

2011 BraunAbility Toyota

2011 VMI Dodge

BraunAbility & VMI Offer Substantial Discounts on Handicap Vans for Vets

BraunAbility is offering $1,111.00 discount on the purchase of a new wheelchair accessible van purchased by a veteran and delivered before December 31, 2011.

BraunAbility

VMI is offering $1,000 off the purchase of a new handicap van for veterans who qualify for the federal auto grant, form (21-4502). 

Take advantage of these discounts, and hurry to an

HDS VANS & MOBILITY location near you! 

On November 3, 2011, five members of the HDS VANS & MOBILITY staff toured the BraunAbility facility in Winamac, Indiana and met with multiple teams of BraunAbility. Representing HDS VANS & MOBILITY were:  Scott Sorenson, Chief Operating Officer; Neal Johnson, Branch Manager for HDS Nashville;  Michael Dresdner, President;  Brad Wright, Mobility Consultant with HDS Jacksonville;  and Holly CothranDrake, Marketing Manager.

The HDS staff members began their morning meeting key teams of BraunAbility and hearing about their various roles. Afterwards, tours included seeing the massive operational plants at BraunAbility and learning about the impressive steps involved with converting vans and creating lifts to make them wheelchair accessible. The day at BraunAbility ended with Nick Gutwein, President of BraunAbility, joining the HDS team and offering continued support from BraunAbility to their their dealers.  The visit to Winamac reinforced the pride and commitment HDS VANS & MOBILITY has as a BraunAbility dealer.

On Friday October 15th, 2011, while exhibiting at the Georgia Case Managers’ Annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, HDS was asked by a fellow exhibitor for an interview to be posted on a YouTube channel.  The interview can be seen by clicking here.

3747 Pine Lane, Southeast

HDS Birmingham participated as a presenter at the 2011 Alabama Disabilities Conference held in Orange Beach, Alabama October 5th-7th.  HDS presented NMEDA’s class on “Mobility Solutions” that included a powerpoint presentation and a wheelchair accessible van demonstration.

Chris Jennings, Branch Manager for HDS Birmingham, commented, “It was an honor to be chosen as a presenter at the Alabama Disabilities conference this year.  With over 200 people in attendance, and a strong support of exhibitors, the conference was a huge success.  We look forward to next year.”