Every child deserves the freedom to explore their world, participate in their community, and experience a childhood without barriers. During National Mobility Awareness Month, we recognize the importance of mobility and accessible equipment in helping children with disabilities live more independently and confidently every day.
Established in 2011 by the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA), National Mobility Awareness Month is a Congressionally-recognized initiative dedicated to promoting greater independence for people living with disabilities, while increasing awareness around mobility challenges and accessible solutions.
Equipment That Changes Lives
By providing access to essential medical equipment, Variety empowers children with disabilities to move more freely, participate more fully, and engage more independently with the world around them. Each piece of equipment is customized to meet a child’s unique needs, helping remove barriers at home, at school, and throughout the community.
Mobility Equipment provided through Variety has included:
- Manual standers
- Walkers
- Power and manual wheelchairs
- Medical strollers
- Adaptive car seats
- Van Adaptations
At Variety, we see firsthand how life-changing mobility equipment can be for children and families across the region. From walkers and standers to adaptive strollers and wheelchairs, every piece of equipment represents more than just mobility, it represents inclusion, confidence, opportunity, and independence.
A Rise in Need
The need for adaptive mobility equipment continues to grow for families across the region, and Variety is seeing that need firsthand through our medical equipment program.
During Variety’s 2025 fiscal year, 421 children received 572 pieces of medical equipment. Of those children, 159 (37%) received a total of 196 mobility-related items, accounting for more than one-third of all equipment distributed through the program.
Now, just over halfway through Variety’s 2026 fiscal year, the need remains strong. Already, 273 children have received 363 pieces of medical equipment, including 118 mobility-related items provided to 98 (36%) children. Mobility equipment continues to represent nearly one-third of all equipment requests fulfilled through the program.
As more families seek support for equipment that is often costly and not fully covered by insurance, Variety continues working to provide children with the tools they need to move through life with greater safety, independence, and inclusion.
“It really has made such a big difference for Evie.”
For 13-year-old Evie, who lives with Spina Bifida, receiving her new wheelchair has helped her navigate everyday life with greater independence and confidence.
“Evie is able to access our home so much easier now,” her mom shared. “She ambulated the halls at school better and is at a level with her peers so they see her instead of falling over her. It really has made such a big difference for her. Helps with independence so much!”
For families like Evie’s, the right equipment does more than provide support, it helps children participate fully in school, social activities, and everyday moments that many take for granted.
A “Game Changer” for James and His Family
For 10-year-old James, who lives with Down Syndrome, an adaptive stroller opened the door to greater participation at school, camp, medical appointments, and family activities.
“This stroller is a game changer!” his mom shared. “James had outgrown his other one and without this new stroller going anywhere was a challenge.”
She explained that James struggles with walking long distances and can unexpectedly drop to the ground while out in the community, making outings difficult and unpredictable for the family. “This stroller not only allows us to be active in the community, but helps us make it to doctors appointments on time and allows James to participate on field trips with his class. He was able to utilize it at camp to fully participate in activities and we are able to take him to activities as a family that often times we would think twice about knowing he wouldn’t tolerate it. We couldn’t be more grateful!”
Now Clara is “Perfectly Supported.”
For 11-year-old Clara, who lives with an Anoxic Brain Injury, an adaptive car seat provided both safety and peace of mind for her family. When Clara outgrew her traditional car seat, her family discovered that adaptive options for children with special needs can cost more than ten times the price of a standard seat, and are often not covered by insurance. Thanks to Variety, Clara received the support she needed to travel safely and comfortably.
“No one should have to choose between the safety of their child or paying their other bills,” her parents shared. “We are so grateful to Variety for covering the cost of such an important item for our daughter. It is a sigh of relief to know she is properly restrained and perfectly supported each time we get in the car.”
Creating Access, Independence, and Inclusion
During Mobility Awareness Month, we celebrate the power of mobility and the opportunities it creates for children with disabilities and their families. Each walker, wheelchair, van adaptation, adaptive stroller, or stander provided through Variety helps create greater independence, increased inclusion, and meaningful participation in everyday life.
Because mobility is more than movement: it’s access to experiences, relationships, independence, and the chance for every child to fully be a kid.
Join us today in creating more possibilities and providing more mobility equipment to Variety Kids.
Variety understands the importance of safe, accessible transportation to attend medical appointments, travel, and participate in the community. Wheelchair-accessible vehicle modifications can nearly double the cost of a traditional vehicle, creating a financial barrier many families cannot overcome alone.
To help meet this need, Variety assists families with a portion of vehicle modification costs. Additional support for families in St. Louis County is made possible through special funding from the Productive Living Board.
For more information about vehicle modification assistance, families can contact Anne Young via email or 314-720-7709.