Welcome to The Mobility Independence Foundation!
At The Mobility Independence Foundation, we believe everyone deserves access to reliable and durable mobility equipment. We are driven by a simple yet profound belief:
Independence requires Mobility, and Mobility is Freedom.
We understand that one of the main challenges individuals with limited mobility face is the lack of accessibility to equipment that meets their unique needs and supports their ability to achieve and preserve their independence.
Our journey began with a deep-seated commitment to addressing this challenge head-on. Guided by insights from individuals who have firsthand experience with the frustrations of subpar mobility equipment, we recognized the urgent need for change. The systemic delays in repair and maintenance only compounded these challenges, further underscoring the importance of our mission.
The driving force behind our endeavors is our President & Founder, Thomas Quiter, who brings over 25 years of experience as a dedicated disability advocate.
Drawing from his wealth of knowledge and passion for innovation, we embarked on a mission to revolutionize mobility technology. Our vision extends beyond mere functionality. We aim to develop products that not only handle varied terrains with ease but also maneuver seamlessly in indoor spaces. By prioritizing accessibility, versatility, and durability, we are reshaping the landscape of mobility technology.
Central to our approach is our commitment to collaboration. We work closely with nonprofit partners who share our dedication to providing impactful mobility solutions to those who need it most.
Our mission is clear: to foster a more independent society. One where everyone who needs it will be able to access quality mobility technology. Through releasing open-source designs and providing equipment, we aim to empower individuals with disabilities to lead independent and fulfilling lives.
We are relentless in our pursuit of innovation. We’re continuously striving to develop accessible solutions that meet the evolving needs of individuals with disabilities to achieve and preserve independence.
Join us in our mission to help create a world where mobility knows no bounds, and together, we can make mobility independence a reality for all.
Who We Are
We are the brainchild of Thomas Quiter, our President of the board of directors. Since our inception Thomas has made it his mission to collect members of The Board of Directors and advisors who bring valuable skills to the team. Meet them all below and gain an understanding of their abilities and their passions for helping others achieve and preserve independence.
Thomas Quiter
Board Of Directors
Thomas was born in 1983 with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, at a time when the disorder was barely understood. He always advocates for himself and others with disabilities, stating “I do nothing if it doesn’t benefit others.” It was around the year 2015 when he was denied an adequate wheelchair. This was despite coverage by Medicaid and the best private insurance available in NY. A crowdfunded used wheelchair provided by his community was the solution. Having been told he should discard a $65,000 custom wheelchair over a 2 inch part, he knows firsthand why open source mobility equipment is the next step in the industry. It subverts restrictive IP law and enables the right to repair.
Matthew Lacey
Board Of Directors
Matt’s background is in manufacturing and industrial maintenance. As a maintenance technician, he’s worked on both electrical and mechanical machinery. Matt grew up in a family that always did their own work to repair anything at their homes. From house repair to automotive and lawn equipment they would just get things done. Even neighbors in need of repair assistance can always count on him to do what they can not. He believes a community should come together and utilize each person’s skills to help each other and those who can not help themselves. He has a wife and 3 grown children that are making their own way in the world. His journey with The MIF began before its inception while helping Tom to repair and upgrade his chair. From those early beginnings he’s helping shape what we can do for generations to come
Jonathan Howe
Board Of Directors
Jonathan Howe is a public defender, cat rescuer, and MIF volunteer. In his legal work he represents parents in Bronx County Family Court who have been separated from their children by government action. In his spare time, he volunteers doing TNR (Trap/Neuter/Return) work with feral cats in his local community of Astoria, Queens. Jonathan joined The MIF after years of seeing friends, neighbors, and clients with mobility issues struggling to get around New York City. From public transit and the crumbling sidewalks, all the way to just getting a chair fixed or replaced, the red tape and bureaucratic detours are endless. Jonathan believes The MIF can help fix many of these problems, and from the ground up. He was honored to be accepted as Board Secretary in March of 2024.
Donna Quiter
Board Of Directors
Self described as a daughter, wife, and mother of persons with disabilities it is easy to see why she believes in our cause. Outside of her involvement in several family businesses she has previous long term employment at an insurance company, a home for disabled veterans, and as a purchasing clerk for a state university. Her experience with both financial management and disability make her the right fit for this position.
Tom Pinkhasov
Board Of Directors
Tom is a dynamic professional based in New York City who brings with him over 6 years of non-profit experience. He owns and operates a firm that provides business & financial services to non-profits and small businesses nationwide, as well as consultancy services for those looking to start from scratch. Tom is committed to supporting the mission of the Mobility Independence Foundation through his expertise in nonprofit operations and compliance. He is a dedicated activist with a goal of helping people achieve maximum functional and personal independence.
Emily S. Goldberg
Board Of Directors
Andy Weyant
Board Of Directors
Our Valued Mobility Independence Advisors!
Sam Robb
Sam is a Pittsburgh native, a former US Navy officer, and a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University. Currently he is employed as an embedded systems developer and is working on a career as a professional writer. In his free time, he volunteers at his church, in his community, and for various political organizations. He is a father, teacher, and preacher. Sam serves on the board of Try-Life Center, People for Liberty, and Home for Liberty. He also acts as an advisor to non-profit organizations at the local and national level.
Daniel Behrman
Dan promotes the idea that individual freedom is paramount. He has worked in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles, and the tech industry internationally, from startups to fortune 500 companies. His most admirable strength is the ability to solve complex problems with minimal disruption to all parties involved. Dedicating his time to many non-profit organizations, he is a supporter of free markets, individual rights, and open-source technology. He believes that all human interaction should be voluntary so we can be free from the coercive nature of abusive systems. “Any person should be free to live their life however they prefer, so long as they don’t hurt others.”
Casey Crowe
Casey is an IT Systems Engineer at a small Managed Service Provider in South Carolina. His career has taken him through serving in the US Air Force, SC State government and now in the private sector. He has served in various roles in organizations dedicated to voluntarism including a non-profit focused on helping families in financial crisis. He currently as chairman of a state and county political party. His passion is philanthropy and putting his technical skills to work for organizations where they can have a significant impact.
Together
We Can Change
The World!
James Beck
My professional career began by refurbishing and repairing the control systems for commercial cold cut packaging equipment. Then I moved on to the installation, repair, and maintenance of entertainment robotic shows. This led to a 13-year job as a component level repair bench technician. I saw a real need for better designs in various aspects of that industry. That’s when I decided to begin creating designs for various subsystems that had reliability problems. I’m proud to say that many of my designs are still out there earning their keep after 30+ years. I was fortunate enough to go to a high school that had an excellent electronics program, which gave me 4 years of education, instructed by a retired McDonnell Douglas engineer. After high school, I continued my education at Golden West College. I furthered my electronics education at Clayton State College.
That education set a firm foundation for me to start an electronics R&D company that has been in business for 31 years.
Devin Hamilton
I serve as president and lead engineer at RapAdapt, where my team develops custom adaptive solutions for people with disabilities. I studied Mechanical Engineering Technology at the Rochester Institute of Technology, where I honed my engineering and problem-solving skills. After RIT, I worked in the field as an engineer on a wide range of projects. I hold 2 US patents on wheelchair technology that we have already developed, was born with Cerebral Palsy, and have a passion for engineering and helping others. My disability gives me a unique perspective and approach to problem-solving. I love to use my knowledge and skills to develop products and solutions to help others. I have an in-depth understanding of the challenges that people with disabilities face and the knowledge to help overcome them because I am them.
Adam Vadala-Roth
I am a passionate hardware-focused systems engineer, originally educated as a Robotics Engineer at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. I studied Robotics Engineering with a focus on electrical computer engineering, covering topics of printed circuit board design, embedded systems, digital logic, and serial communication. All this in addition to the degree requirements for core mechanical, software, robotics, and electrical engineering curriculum. Presently, I provide contract engineering services via my company, GhostPCB LLC. I enjoy designing electronic hardware, interdisciplinary systems, systems engineering, robotics, firmware development, RF, pro audio, scientific equipment, human-machine interfaces, and much more.