A wheelchair accessible van is a van that has been outfitted or modified such that a person who is using a wheelchair can enter and exit the vehicle while staying in the wheelchair. It is necessary that such a modification include all the proper equipment to secure the wheelchair to the vehicle and the passenger to the wheelchair once inside.
Wheelchair accessible van types: From full size to mini
With the increased acceptance of and popularity of power mobility devices, the challenge arose that most normal automobiles would not be able to provide transportation for both the user and the equipment without substantial modifications or equipment add ons. The industry and the public has gotten into the habit of calling all wheelchair accessible vehicles, vans, although several different types of modification are available that are not van based. For the sake of brevity for this article, we will focus on those van based modifications that apply.
When power mobility equipment became mainstream, options for wheelchair transportation were limited and no such thing as a Mini-van, much less a wheelchair minivan even existed. Back in the 80's when my family started building wheelchair accessible vans, every option had to be considered and few people could afford the extensive list of modifications necessary to make the vans accessible.
Using the The Ford Econoline, by far the most ubiquitous van to be modified by the industry, we were able to create vans for both drivers and passengers, many of these are still on the road today. In order to make the full size van accessible by wheelchair, several structural modifications including a raised roof, raised doorway, and modified floor will need to be installed. Furthermore, a lift mechanism or device is needed to elevate the person in the wheelchair up to the floor height of the van so they can roll into the interior. These modifications were determined by how the vehicle was going to be used and what type of mobility equipment the persons had or intended to use.
Enter the minivan.
The industry was very excited about the introduction of the minivan. In order to make the minivan accessible, it was determined that instead of a large lifting device, if the floor was lowered and a ramp was installed, the wheelchair passenger could roll into and out of the van with ease. At first, minivans were designed with a lowered floor in the front driver and passenger areas from the firewall to second row with the ramp coming out of the passenger side sliding door. With the addition of a power ramp and a power door, persons who had the proper training could learn to drive either from their wheelchair or by transferring into a special seat and gain independent mobility. After many years and power mobility devices gained broader acceptance, another style of minivan, designed with a lowered floor from the second row to the rear became very popular. Ideal for passengers and at a significant cost savings over side entry vans, the rear entry model has become another popular choice for many wheelchair users.
* The terms power wheelchair and scooter are not interchangeable. If a person is going to stay on the power mobility device while riding in the vehicle, the device must be rated for that activity. Most power scooters do not have sufficient construction to sustain proper seating in the event of a motor vehicle accident and therefore should never be used as a passenger seat in a vehicle.
S Ramella
Certified Mobility Consultant
http://www.triplesmobility.com
scott at triplesmobility.com sign up for a Free Mobility Consultation you will be contacted by a certified mobility specialist who will provide you with a complete evaluation and guidance toward purchasing a wheelchair van.
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