Many times, a birth defect or accident restricts a person’s mobility by confining the person to a wheelchair. This mobility vehicle helps you move around the house reducing your dependence on your family members. However, for longer distances and trips outdoors, the wheelchair is not such a convenient option.
For this reason, people with physical disabilities prefer to stay indoors. However, at some point or another, one may find the need to travel outdoors in a vehicle. In such cases, a wheelchair accessible vehicle is your best option.
Wheelchair accessible vehicles available
Trying to increase comfort for people with physical disabilities, various automakers are making out-of-the-box pickups with various features.
First, the two main types of wheelchair accessible vehicles include those that allow the disabled to ride as a passenger (with another person to drive) and those that allow them to take control as a driver. In the latter, the original driver’s seat is removed to accommodate the wheelchair. Some have swivel seats so that the person can easily move into it.
Vans also differ in the number of passengers they can accommodate at one time. For example, there are options such as 2 passengers and 1 wheelchair or 4 passengers and 1 wheelchair. It depends on the size of the vehicle.
Second, they are equipped with wheelchair ramps and elevators to allow easy entry and exit. The ramps are operated manually or automatically in those equipped with a motor. There are ramps on the floor and drop down. Ramps on the floor fold into the floor. Ramps on the floor take up a lot of space and therefore reduce headroom. This makes it quite uncomfortable for taller passengers.
There are joysticks instead of pedals and controls to facilitate acceleration and steering. Inside the vehicle, there are tie-down systems and straps to lock the wheelchair in place so that it will not move when the vehicle is put in motion. Try to test drive the vehicle to make sure it is comfortable to drive.
Make your minivan wheelchair accessible
If your budget does not allow for a new car, you can consider converting your existing vehicle to a wheelchair accessible car. To do this, you will first have to consider the entry point. Rear and side entrances are the two most common options. The former is a great option for a small minivan, while the rear entry is a good option for a larger vehicle. There are also motorized ramps that lift the person up the ramp and onto the vehicle.
You should also consider the type of wheelchair that you use. A manual one sits lower while an electric one sits taller since the electric motor sits under the seat. You must also provide the company with the dimensions of the chair. If there isn’t much headroom to accommodate one, the conversion company will usually lower the floor or raise the ceiling, whichever is more feasible.
You will also have to remove some passenger seats to accommodate the wheelchair. It depends on the entry point you choose. Most cars have latches on the seats that allow you to do this.