Consumer Education, Advocacy and Involvement

Education, advocacy and community involvement are essential in removing boundaries and changing the way people perceive disabilities. Pride actively participates in providing opportunities in these three important areas.

Education

Some of the most highly regarded speakers and personalities with disabilities are available to share their unique perspectives:

Mark E. Smith Born with cerebral palsy, Mark went on to obtain a master's degree, is a widely-published author and speaker, and is among the most recognized disability figures in the world. He serves as Pride Mobility's Consumer Research Manager, and speaks to thousands each year, not only sharing his own remarkable story, but also addressing disability experience on universal levels that all can relate to.

Bryan Anderson A veteran of Iraq, Bryan was injured in 2005, when his military Humvee encountered an explosive device, resulting in the loss of both legs and one arm. Today, Bryan is the spokesperson for Quantum Rehab, as well as for veterans' organizations. With his story featured in print and television, Bryan is widely-recognized and speaks nationally, telling his story to groups of all ages and backgrounds.

Pride is also actively involved in the continuing education of those that work in the mobility field and those who will help shape it's future:

Seminar Tour Pride conducts an annual, nationwide Seminar Tour to educate our providers on the latest in product and service information. With tour stops across the country, the Seminar Tour brings our Providers Pride Factory Training in their own backyards so they can better serve you.

Pride works with a number of educational institutions with a wide variety of programs that relate to disability and mobility products.

(To schedule a speaker or to let us know about any educational programs you’d like to see Pride involved in, please e-mail htaffera@pridemobility.com)

Advocacy

Pride works with legislators and advocates to ensure that the rights of American’s with disabilities are protected.

Madonna Long Paralyzed as the result of a school bus accident in 1981, Madonna went on to raise a family, serve as a national advocate for disability rights, and obtained a degree in homeland security. As an advocate, she currently works in conjunction with Pride’s Government Affairs Team, and speaks on behalf of those with disabilities. (If you’d like to learn more about becoming an advocate on behalf of the disability community, please e-mail mlong@pridemobility.com)

Government Affairs Team Pride employs a dedicated Government Affairs Team that works in Washington to protect the rights of American’s with disabilities. Their efforts have helped lead to legislation that ensures that everyone who requires a mobility product has continued access to them.

Involvement

Pride offers a few programs that allow us to work directly with the people who use our products.

Pride Connections - Throughout the year, Pride holds a number of open house style gatherings called Pride Connections. These visits give product owners the ability to look behind the scenes and share their thoughts with Pride experts.

Abilities Expos - Pride representatives attend several Abilities Expos to meet one on one with product owners around the country. These sessions provide the opportunity to gain extremely valuable feedback on our products and services. For more information, please visit the official Abilities Expo homepage (http://www.abilitiesexpo.com)

Beta testing - To ensure that our products fully meet our product owners’ needs, Pride uses a Beta testing program that allows for real world testing before a product is released.

Owners Club - Pride’s interactive online Owners Club and interactive Web Talk message boards help connect hundreds of product owners. (http://webtalk.pridemobility.com/Forums)