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Welcome to AEMA

We are a non-profit organization formed in 1990 to meet the needs of the accessibility equipment manufacturers, distributors and end users. In 2005 the association modified its vision and its bylaws in order to create an .all industry members association.. Any person, firm or corporation with an interest in the private residence elevator and accessibility equipment industry may join the association and become a full voting member with equal input into the activities of the association.

The following excerpt is direct from the bylaws of the association: Article II - Scope and Definition a. Scope AEMA is an association of persons and entities with an interest in the .Private Residence Elevator and Accessibility Equipment. industry. b. Definition The term "Private Residence Elevator and Accessibility Equipment. industry includes the design, manufacture , installation , servicing and maintenance of vertical, inclined and horizontal conveying systems which are used primarily to provide access and/or egress for persons in public and private residence environments, commonly known as platform lifts, stair-lifts, wheelchair lifts, access elevators, private residence elevators, home elevators, stairway chairlifts, limited use/limited application elevators, LULA elevators and similar products. (See Article V-Section 1 for membership qualifications).

Message From

Don Zimmerman, 2012 AEMA President

I am honored to be elected as AEMA’s 2012 president. With help from our blue chip directors and officers, I look forward to guiding our AEMA organization in a direction that again proves beneficial to our membership.

Being well into our 2012 year, we have plenty on our agenda. As we prioritize our agenda items, with input from our members, one area of concentration is our involvement with the legislative processes in each of our member states to negotiate and create an education program for our merit shop Accessibility and Residential Equipment contractors that stands as an approved alternative to programs unavailable to merit shop contractors. This program is intended to offer an option for registration, certification, and licensure requirements in our member’s States.

AEMA’s value as a national voice for our Accessibility and Residential equipment industry is strong. AEMA provides an opportunity for members to unite nationwide to accomplish goals that benefit our industry in the long term. Whether it includes law making, code involvement, safety issues, or new ideas, AEMA is involved. We have represented our members in law making negotiations and we have directors and officers on national code committees. Our directors, officers and members are continually involved in positions with NAEC and other national, regional, and local industry organizations. AEMA is a well-rounded, talented organization.

Membership is a priority in our organization. AEMA offers an affordable solution to become involved in the many areas that drive our Accessibility and Residential industry. Whether you are an active member, or whether you are interested in becoming a new member, feel free to contact or e-mail any of our directors / officers listed on our website with questions you may have about our organization.

I believe that our AEMA organization and membership together provide a unique process to gain unlimited wisdom and create unlimited opportunity for our Accessibility and Residential Equipment industry. I honor the opportunity to be involved in this adventure. Sincerely, Don Zimmerman

News

January, 2012: Congratulations to the new AEMA directors that will serve a two year term, beginning in January 2012 and running through December 2012:

Mark Townsend - Garaventa

Joe Newstrom - Arrow Lifts

Mark Bosley - Adaptive Environments

These three new directors will join our continuing, current directors, whose terms expire at the end of 2012.

Special thanks to the outgoing directors for their services over the past few years:

Jeannie Martin - Acessibility Lifts

Tom McIsaac - Stannah Stairlifts

September 14, 2011: AEMA's annual meeting will b held at this year's NAEC Conference in New orleans. Annual General Meeting - Date and Time: Wednesday September 14, 2011 5-6pm; Location: Hilton New Orleans Riverside (NAEC host hotel) Compass

September, 2010: AEMA held its annual AGM in Cincinnati at the NAEC Convention. The gathering was dedicated to honoring the decades of service from Dave Balmer and Marie McDonald. Both Dave and Marie are nationally known and respected in our industry. They are starting to enjoy some free time while still staying involved with us. Marie has just resigned from the A18 committee and Dave still shares his knowledge and teaches in the Toronto area. It was a fitting tribute to two people that have given tirelessly to our industry over the years. Other discussions at the meeting also centered around 2011 elections for AEMA officers and Board. The election should take place in October and new terms will begin January 1.

April, 2010: AEMA membership grows as early returns have already resulted in 9 new members joining the association. Membership efforts are still going on and the outlook is good for many more additions to membership.

February, 2010:By a unanimous vote, The AEMA Board has voted to lower the annual dues and eliminate any Initiation fee for its membership. In the discussion, the importance of serving the industry was stressed and the economic conditions were also noted. The fees were always to serve the members and the current needs of the association are relatively low, until new programs are initiated and developed. The reduced dues schedule will go out to the membership with this year’s renewal letters.

Code Corner

May 3, 2011

ASME A18

A virtual meeting was held in February and another in March to try to finalize a few more issues for the next edition.The next

regular committee meeting is scheduled for May 5, 2011 in San Diego.

ASME A17

: LULA and PRE committees both met in Tampa in January.The 2010 edition of the standard has been published.Work is continuing on several potential changes for the next edition for LU/LA and Private Residence elevators.That edition will not be published until 2013.The next meetings are scheduled for May 2 & 3 in San Diego

ICC/ANSI A117

No meetings are currently scheduled.The 2009 edition has now been published.It includes changes that impact the minimum size of platform lifts and use of door operators.There are changes that allow more options on car configuration for private residence and LULA elevators.

ADAAG

On June 17, the DOJ announced its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to adopt Part I and III new guidelines proposed by the Access Board in 2004.The effective date is March 2011.These rules are similar to those found in ICC/ANSI A117.1-2003.

AEMA

An Association of Members of the Accessibility Industry