10-12-2022 PTL - Flipbook - Page 6
6 A Special Advertising Section of Baltimore Sun Media Group | Wednesday, October 12, 2022
MOBILITY
I get around
Accessibility made easy
By Margit B. Weisgal, Contributing Writer
Sometimes, life gets in the way.
Maybe you’re planning ahead because your goal is to age in place. Maybe something
happened – an accident or surgery, perhaps – and you can no longer use the stairways in
your home and moving to a new residence isn’t a choice. For whatever reason, it’s time to
look at accessibility options such as a stair lift or a vehicle that can transport a wheelchair
or one that someone with limited mobility can drive. Sometimes you need help.
An excellent – and trustworthy –
starting point is Bedco Mobility (www.
bedcomobility.com). Founded in 1912
as Baltimore Elevator Company, it now
focuses its attention on accessibility, getting you where you want to go along with
the means to do just that.
“When you need something quickly,
too often our immediate reaction is to
go online,” says Will Cromwell, Vice
President and third generation family
member at Bedco Mobility. “Yes, there
is a lot of information available, and it’s
a great place to browse and learn, but
mobility products are part of a unique
industry, and there are always people
out there that just want to sell you something.
“We care about our community, and
we have been able to provide solutions
in residential, commercial and automotive applications throughout the MidAtlantic,” Cromwell adds. “As a local
company, Bedco Mobility’s interest is
for the end user to have what he or she
needs and feel confidence in their decision and future service and support. We
meet customers in their homes, see the
environment, measure to ensure proper
installation, and grasp the circumstances
so the correct equipment is provided.
Online sellers neglect to tell you that
products like stair lifts often require customization so that they work every time
you use them, plus there is service and
maintenance. They cannot be installed
by just anyone, especially DIYers.”
Depending on where you live, there
may be local laws that require installers
are certified and insured. And with the
labor shortage, how do you know the
person who is installing the equipment
is licensed and properly trained? All of
Bedco’s technicians are direct employees, factory trained, and the company
carries full liability insurance.
Stair lifts, wheelchair lifts and other
aids require skilled installation. With stairlifts, Bedco can adapt them to the specific environment with lots of different
configurations, even curved stairs, and
that’s only one of its products. “We treat
everyone with dignity because we are
usually there at a stressful time in their
lives,” adds Cromwell.
Bedco only works with manufacturers that rigorously test equipment, so it
knows what is reliable for its customers.
It also knows which companies don’t
have quality control and that use inferior materials. If a company is spending
all its money on advertising, perhaps
it is skimping on quality control or service. The most well-known brands aren’t
always the best.
When COVID hit, Bedco already had
a local warehouse; it stocked products
with different solutions so those with
immediate needs could be supplied. If
and when the circumstances warrant it, it
can be a fast process, even with custom
products.
“During this uncertain time,” Cromwell
says, “it’s more important than ever that
we keep your trust, by meeting and
exceeding safety standards and being
as flexible as possible during your sales
and service process. We embraced our
role as a voice for the end user and
continued dialogue with manufacturers.
Consequently, we’ve had no major supply chain problems.”
Get around,
continued on page 12