Toyota Offers Technology, Equipment for Americans with Disabilities
When Johnice Powell went back to work in Baltimore, she had a two-hour commute each day, including a bus and a little rail train ride.
“I had to be at work at 8 a.m. and the buses aren’t reliable, so I had to get up at 5 a.m., and it took me two hours to get to work,” said Powell, 51. “I had a 20-hour commute every week. LandAjob (a part of NTI) helped me get a car.”
Fortunately, she was able to save enough money to buy a car to allow her to commute back and forth by working with LandAjob and receiving up to $13,000 in expenses. Now, she could possibly be helped with a program from Toyota.
“That’s not uncommon with people using LandAjob,” said Alan Hubbard, chief operating officer. “When you think of it, commuting is one of your biggest expenses, and having a car is often necessary to get back and forth from your job, especially if commuting isn’t available as an option. As was the case with Johnice, getting around major cities can be difficult.” LandAjob helps Americans with disabilities receive help with getting the expenses covered while they are working.
As part of October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), NTI is taking part in “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion” theme to ensure Americans with disabilities are a major part of the national recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Every October, NDEAM celebrates the contributions people with disabilities have made to America’s workforce and the economy.
Toyota recognizes the expenses of people working with disabilities, offering a cash reimbursement of up to $1,000 for any aftermarket equipment or conversion needed for drivers and passengers being used for transportation on a newly purchased or leased Toyota. Payment will be received within six to eight weeks after the paperwork. is processed. The form must be submitted within 90 days of the completed installation of adaptive equipment.
Other conditions are that the vehicles must be sold or leased by an authorized Toyota Motor North America Inc. dealer, and all adaptive equipment must be installed within 12 months of purchase or lease.
“Programs like the one Toyota is offering are a great help to people looking to get back to work and can also make it easier for those who are working,” said Hubbard. “We all know how important it is to have transportation you can count on.”
For more information on the vehicle program, call the Toyota Mobility Assistance Center at 800-331-4331. To register for LandAjob, go to www.landajob.org.
“Programs like the one Toyota is offering are a great help to people looking to get back to work and can also make it easier for those who are working.”