2014 is the third year that the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association is sponsoring National Mobility Awareness Month in May. Four 2014 fully-equipped adaptive vans will be given away in an online contest: One MV-1, one Chrysler minivan, and two Toyota Siennas will be donated to one caregiver, one senior, and two others with disabilities. Each vehicle will be custom-equipped to fit the individual winner. Entrants must go to www.mobilityawarenessmonth.com to fill out an entry form.

The theme of the contest is Life Moving Forward. Each entrant will be given an opportunity to submit either a story and photograph or a two-minute video, in which they describe why they are deserving of being a “Local Hero” who embodies the Live Moving Forward theme. Last year not only were four winners chosen, but at least eight additional “non-winners” went on to secure funding through their local communities to purchase adapted vehicles. In all, 12 of 1,225 contestants received new vehicles, which is a heck of a lot better odds than winning a lottery.

“We are all impacted by disability,” says NMAM spokesperson Ashley Lauren Fisher, who personifies the Life Moving Forward theme. “Everyone is somehow connected to someone living with a disability. NMAM helps bring that awareness that disability is a part of life, and mobility is the key to providing access to a full quality life. Everyone is dealing with illness or disability on some level. We need to take it out of tragedy mode and into reality.”

The story submission period began late in February and continues through to May 9. Voting began March 11 and ends May 9. Winners will be contacted May 30 and announced in June.