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Toyota Donates Sienna Rampvan to Paralyzed Veterans of America


WASHINGTON, May 18 /PRNewswire/ — The Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) today received the donation of a 2004 Toyota Sienna Rampvan from Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. (TMS).

Del McNeal, PVA executive director, accepted the keys to the special mobility van from Don Esmond, senior vice president and general manager, Toyota Division.

“All of us who work to help improve the lives of our members are indebted to Toyota for this invaluable donation. In so many ways, the Sienna Rampvan will help us advance the interests of paralyzed veterans, from transporting members to Capitol Hill to advocate on behalf of veterans and Americans with disabilities to visiting local schools for student education events,” McNeal said. “Accessible transportation allows us to effectively fulfill our mission.”

“We are very pleased to show our support for the many important services that PVA provide to our paralyzed veterans,” said Esmond. “Their research and educational programs benefit not only their membership, but everyone affected by spinal cord injury and dysfunction.”

PVA is concerned with the needs of spinal cord impaired veterans and all Americans with disabilities. The veterans’ service group works to ensure that its members receive the quality health care and benefits that they have earned through their military service and to create the laws necessary to provide equal opportunity and access for all. PVA is one of the oldest and largest private funding sources of spinal cord research designed to find a cure for those who have a spinal cord injury or disease.

Toyota Mobility was established by TMS and Toyota Motor Corporation to provide programs and vehicles to assist mobility challenged individuals. The Sienna Rampvan is their latest effort.

The Rampvan starts as a Sienna minivan manufactured at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana’s plant in Gibson County, Ind. The minivan is then shipped to Independent Mobility Systems (IMS), an industry-leading mobility conversion firm in Farmington, New Mexico for extensive modifications, including lowering of the vehicle’s floor, installation of a manual or power side ramp and tie-downs for four wheelchairs.

Prior to delivery, the Rampvan is configured by IMS’ mobility equipment dealers. With the installation of hand controls, the Rampvan can be driven by a mobility-limited driver, or can be left in conventional driver configuration with room for up to three wheelchairs.

The Toyota Mobility Assistance program also provides up to $1,000 toward the cost of the purchase and installation of adaptive equipment. With the purchase of any new Toyota, Scion or Lexus vehicle, TMS will reimburse their retail customers for mobility modifications, such as hand controls, wheelchair docking devices, wheelchair/scooter lifts, special power swivel and lift-up seats, or other equipment installed by mobility equipment dealers.

Founded in 1946, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), is the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated solely for the benefit and representation of individuals with spinal cord injury or disease. PVA is a dynamic, broad-based organization with more than 20,000 members in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. To learn more about PVA, visit its web site at www.pva.org .

Source: Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.

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