Handicapped Accessible Vans: What You Need To Know

By Author: Thomas Wright
Total Articles: 2
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Because of globalization and advances in technology, a lot of innovations have been made in caring for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and ensuring convenience in their day-to-day lives. But the focus of these advances isn’t limited to only the PWDs—the welfare of their families and the people around them are also taken into consideration. One of the more popular ways of doing this is by creating wheelchair accessible vehicles.

Handicapped accessible cars that are built from the ground up with the needs of PWDs in mind are considered a boon by most households with PWDs. With these cars, there is no need for the PWD to get out of the wheelchair because the vehicle has a ramp and a spacious interior that lets the wheelchair go straight in. This saves time and a lot of energy for everybody concerned. There are even some models that are specifically designed to allow the PWD to drive, with varied functions depending on the severity of their disability.

Mobility vehicles used to be big and bulky, but with the advances in technology, most PWD-accessible cars are now no larger than the average van or SUV. The size ...
... of the car you get depends on the size and type of the wheelchair that needs access. Other considerations regarding the size include the comfort level of the driver, the number of passengers that need to fit in the car, and your budget.

The mode of entry of the wheelchair depends on the type of car that is to be purchased. Some mobility vehicles are accessible from the rear, and this allows the user to park anywhere without needing extra room at the sides. There are vehicles that have side entries that allow better access especially if the PWD is driving—helpful enough in preventing accidents.

Wheelchair accessible cars also have different features. For PWDs that would like to drive, there are vehicles with brake and gas pedals made for the hands. Other vehicles can be customized to use natural gas to be more eco-friendly.

The final thing you’d have to look into, as with any other purchase, is the vehicle’s cost. A wheelchair accessible vehicle can cost anywhere from $16,000 to $60,000, depending on the size, model, and features that the car has. This could be a bit discouraging for some but there are organizations that offer financing, and vehicles like this can be considered as investments for you and your family’s future.

Try visiting several dealerships that offer wheelchair vehicles first before purchasing. For more information on this subject, you can visit Access-Board.gov or Handicap-Vans.org.