Vermont Early Mobility: a trio of images. First, a parade of toddlers moves along the cracked sidewalk in front of a school, the last toddler in line riding a power mobility aid. Next, a chubby white toddler with pink-framed glasses and a pink snowsuit sits happily in a power mobility car parked inside a classroom. Finally, a toddler bundled into a red snowsuit, goggles and wooly hat gasps in delight as they drive a power mobility chair over concrete.

Exploring early mobility options for children ages 6 months to 6 years with families and medical teams

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A small boy enjoys a ride in a motorized carWe work with local teams to create adapted mobility devices, customize them for specific power mobility needs, and make them available to Vermont children.

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VEM enjoyed working with children, families, teams, and students in exploring access to power mobility, development of vehicles, and developing awareness of mobility as a human right from July 2018 to June 2024.

The need continues, and at the same time we have found that our current structure does not fit the work.Ìý The demands of the post-COVID environment call for a new way forward.Ìý

The Vermont Early Mobility Project will close as of June 30, 2024.ÌýÌý

All children learn from being able to move and be included within their home, school, and community. Having a way to move by themselves increases a child’s visual skills, cognitive and sensory-motor development, social and play opportunities. Movement also gives children the ability to explore and learn by making choices for themselves.

Seeing the joy in children when they experience their own mobility, and on the faces of those who love them, has been our own joy and privilege.

We believe that current research and information should be available to all Vermont families and teams who would like to explore mobility options for young children.Ìý Online resources will continue to be available at .

Vermont Early Mobility (VEM) is a project of ¶¶Òõ̽̽’s Center on Disability and Community Inclusion with funding support from the Vermont Child Health Improvement Program (VCHIP).

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VEM logo: a child in a speeding miniature car, arms raised. Text: Vermont Early Mobility

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Referrals are closed for the 2023-2024 school year.

Thank you for your interest in the Vermont Early Mobility project. We are unable to accept additional referrals for this school year. Please email Tamra Yandow (tamra.yandow@uvm.edu) with any questions.

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"VEM's expertise and thoroughness was evident from the very beginning and their insightfulness was eye opening to us."