SHARE YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND THE RESULTING REDIRECTION IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE
As a result of a car accident in 1980, Accessible Racing president & co-founder Brian Hanaford, had a life changing experience. Left with a traumatic brain Injury and forced to adjust to life with physical and psychological disabilities, Hanaford was faced with a life of challenging beliefs and behaviors. One not to be discouraged, Hanaford lives every day to over come barriers and discover fresh opportunities.
EXPLAIN HOW FULFILLING IT WAS TO DESIGN AND DEVELOP THE HANDICAP RACE CAR
Four years ago Hanaford contacted Peter Ruprecht, the president of Drive Master Fairfield NJ, the oldest family owned mobility dealership in the United States, and a founding father of National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA), about collaborating together to develop a race car with the ability to be driven by racers with disabilities. After settling on the idea to build a NASCAR style race car, a partnership was formed. As word spread about their project car, the national attention from media and disabled persons was overwhelming. Their first test driving event, held at (?), drew interested drivers from Alabama, Colorado, Montana, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and New Jersey.
TALK ABOUT HOW THAT EXPERIENCE LED YOU TO THE GAMING WORLD AND THE CHALLENGES THAT THE HANDICAPPED FACE WHEN TRYING TO ENJOY RACING/DRIVING GAMES THAT REQUIRE PEDALS
Dr. Sally Shoop, Army Research & Development lab works on S.A.V.E simulator project designed to reduce vehicle related fatalities and keep soldiers safe in unfamiliar enviorments, said "one key to improving safety is allowing drivers to exercise maneuvering in bad situations so they build up a muscle memory that can react automatically". After talking to researchers, it was determined that by introducing the simulator to handicap people as a tool to help develop their driving skills again, it could pay off in added safety for all road vehicles. The target market, the disabled community, is largely unemployed or under employed so Accessible Racing needed a Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory style qualifier that creates equal opportunity. This led to the development of a gaming wheel with the same push/pull gas and break controls disabled persons employ in more then 1.3 million passengers vehicles that travel on the highway every day. The VXP uses software powered by iRacing.com, and is used as a qualifier for on-line competition. The simulator offers a hand control, allowing drivers to qualify based on performance and safety records. The Next Generation model is modified to resemble the same type of controls as the off the shelf gaming wheel for persons who where unable to use standard games because of the inability to use the peddles.
EXPLAIN HOW YOUR VXP CONSOLE BRINGS THE EXCITEMENT OF DRIVING TO ANYONE WITHOUT THE USE OF THEIR LEGS.
The newly injured, who are attuned to video games, enjoy learning in virtual environments. VXP develops virtual world driving skills that transition seamlessly to real world applications, allowing the participants to have fun at the same time. VXP is a perfect adjunct to any Drivers Education or Rehabilitation program for persons with disabilities.
EXPLAIN HOW YOUR CUSTOM CONSOLES WERE MET WITH SUCH POSITIVE SUPPORT AND HOW YOU REALIZED THAT THE NEXT STEP WAS TO MASS PRODUCE THEM FOR HOSPITALS, REHAB CENTERS AND EVENTUALLY CONSUMERS.
Accessible Racing & VXP gaming wheels have been well received by Walter Read VA Hospital and the Shriners Hospital for Children in Springfield, Ma. The Occupational Therapist & Association of Disability Equipment Dealers Association, the governing body for the Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists generally agrees that the VXP is a worthwhile product in the rehabilitation process. As word spread of the benefits the VXP had in the rehabilitation process, it became apparent that the market is far more demanding then our build-one-sell-one business model originally planned limiting our capabilities satisfy the increasing demand for the VXP. Currently we are looking into developing the ability to mass produce the VXP for therapeutic use, and this will be the first step to making them available to global consumers.
HAS THE ABSENCE OF AVAILABLE CAPITAL (ESPECIALLY IN THESE ECONOMIC TIMES) SLOWED YOUR DREAM.
We have a first class activation team and we 'believe' the right person will hear our story and help us help the disabled discover a new found freedom that never before existed.
YOU ARE STILL ACTIVELY SEEKING VENTURE CAPITAL TO MAKE THIS PROJECT A REALITY.
We (Accessible Racing) will continue to develop one-on-one incentives. Accessible Racing is developing discount cards that are one way for cause related shoppers to donate to Accessible Racing and save money on every day consumer needs. Retail outlets and product vendors are needed for mass production of prototypes and pilot programs. AR has an "A" team assembled and the initial results have been promising. Accessible Racing and VXP driving simulators are seeking additional funding to expand into every hospital in the country, and lower the cost for active disabled persons to purchase.
HOW WILL YOU AND ACCESABLE RACING CONTINUE TO REACH OUT TO THOSE WHO COULD USE SUCH A DEVICE BECAUSE OF THE POSITIVE RESULTS.
This Memorial Day weekend a ‘Wounded Warriors’ celebration will be held at the NJ Vintage Grand Prix which will feature VXP qualifying, driver skills school, Accessible Racing on track, Blue Angels, Vintage Race cars and more Friday thru Sunday May 27th - 29th, 2011.
Driving instructor LT Ian James Brown will lead the Wounded Warriors and Vets that attend in a stock car driving experience, lunch, and Q & A session with Ian on how to move forward with life after after an injury.
Ian was a Combat Rescue Officer (pararescue jumper or PJ) in the Air Force, then went to flight school to become a military aviator, flying F-15Cs. Ian became paralyzed (T2A neurological, initial diagnosis) in January 2002 . Following flight school, where he was injured in the line of duty on the flight line.
Following rehabilitation, Ian attended graduate school at Harvard to receive a Master’s in I.T. with a focus on Bio-Informatics. Ian then began a post-baccalaureate program to finish the pre-requisite courses for medical school. Ian has applied to medical school for the matriculating class of 2010. Ian also helps design and develop the arrive and drive experience which enables people of varying disabilities the chance to learn autocross and race driving in a fully accessible race car.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS TO PREVIOUS EVENTS PLEASE VISIT WWW.ACCESSIBLERACING.COM ; for the “Wounded Warriors” Registration go to - www.njvgp.com ; for advance ticket purchase - www.njmp.com
Brian A. Hanaford
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