Allen Kohn has had better paying jobs but none have been more rewarding than his current position with A&J Mobility.

As sales manager for A&J's Monona, Wisconsin office he helps people reach their dreams by putting them in vehicles they were once kept out of because of physical restrictions. A&J Mobility specializes in fitting all types of vehicles with controls for physically disabled persons and those who are otherwise unable to operate or ride in a vehicle.

A&J opened in 1975 as a second-stage custom van conversion business. The company still does the custom design work, but the mobility assistance aspect has grown into an important branch of the business. While much of the modification work is done at their Valders, Wisconsin facility, Kohn says that service work and basic installations like scooter and wheelchair lifts are taken care of in Monona.

One of the first things that Kohn does when he meets with a new client is an assessment of their strengths and needs. For example, if a person has lost use of his legs and cannot operate the vehicle's floor pedals, those controls can be transferred to the steering column to be hand operated. Kohn says the first step is to determine which is the driver's dominate hand. If the left hand is stronger than the right, they might place the brake and accelerator controls, and any of the other steering column controls, if necessary, from the right to the left side. Their are also touch screen modules they can install that allow drivers to operate signals, windshield wipers and even shift the vehicle with the touch of a button. "There's a lot of different things to consider for each individual," says Kohn. "It's pretty much starting from scratch every time."

Much of how A&J technicians plan a design revolves around the client's lifestyle. "It often depends on whether they have family members to how we design a vehicle around their individual needs," says Kohn. "So if they have children, we make sure the vehicle accommodates the whole family." It comes down to the details. If a client says that they attend formal events on a regular basis and room in the vehicle is needed for formal attire as well as wheelchair accessibility and seating for their family and friends, Kohn says they make it work to the client's specifications.

While Kohn is happy to share his expertise and recommendations, he knows the customer needs to make the final decision. "You have to go with what their comfort level is. We never say ‘this is what you need.' It's always, ‘this is an opinion. Here's what we can do for you. It's up to you if that's the route you want to take.'"

Every job is different because every customer is different. Physical limits in reach and strength level have to be taken into consideration when doing any job for a particular client, says Kohn.

A large number of clients that A&J Mobility helps are military war veterans and seniors with mobility issues. Because of their needs, scooter lifts and other scooter related accessory installations are a large part of their work. Kohn says another demand they see is for installation of swivel chairs for persons who have a trouble getting in and out of their vehicles.

There are a lot of options and they can become very expensive very fast. Kohn says much of the equipment they install can be covered by health insurance and government assistance.

Another big concern beyond financing is service after the sale. "Reliability has to be there," says Kohn. "If something breaks on that vehicle and they can't get to work or they can't get to their doctor's appointment...we have to service it in a timely manner."

Safe installation of every piece of equipment is important. A&J technicians abide by the many state and federal regulations that govern the work they do. "We have to make sure that any of the modifications we do don't cancel out the warranty or any insurance," says Kohn.

It can be hard work at times, but Kohn says there is almost always a reward at the end. "You have a client that has been in rehab for the last six months and they were involved in a car accident and now they're in a wheel chair. The first time they get behind the wheel and you see them drive - they look over, grin and give you the thumbs up...there's not a better day that you could have."

925 East Broadway

Monona, WI 53716

Phone

(608) 223-9731

Web site

www.aandjmobility.com/

Hours

Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday by appointment