When looking for a wheelchair van it is important to focus on the person in the wheelchair and account for their mobility needs as the primary concern. Secondary considerations are placed on the type and style of the original equipment manufacturer or vehicle. This section takes you through the second step of the process used to evaluate a person for mobility equipment and ensure that they can increase their quality of life by giving them back mobility.
After coming to the realization that you need or may want the convenience of a wheelchair accessible vehicle, many questions will come to mind. Of them, none are as important as the question of whether the person in the wheelchair is going to be a driver or passenger. The answer to this question changes, dramatically, the choices that are available as well as the budget considerations, and options.
Persons in wheelchairs who wish to drive
Persons who are confined to wheelchairs who want to use wheelchair accessible vans and who are drivers, have two primary solutions. First, if they have the ability to transfer into a specially designed seat that can move them from the area near the wheelchair and up into the drivers area, that is called a transfer driver. If they are unable to easily transfer from their wheelchair into a regular seat, then they would need a wheelchair accessible designed for them drive their wheelchair directly up under the steering wheel, using the wheelchair as the seat in order to drive the vehicle.
Of these two the more common and less complex of the two scenarios would be the first called a transfer driver. The adaptive equipment, cost and supplementary systems required for most wheelchair drivers is cost prohibitive, however, many more persons using wheelchairs are increasing the normalcy of many of the modifications that were not so commonly known in the past.
Both of these types of drivers need to have push button access with power doors, power ramp or lift systems, and other automatic and sometimes redundant systems. Furthermore, many will need to have 24 hour service and support because if the equipment or systems fails, the person in the wheelchair could be stuck in an extreme situation.
Persons in wheelchairs who will be passengers
Persons confined to wheelchairs who will be passengers have a host of options available to them in the wheelchair accessible vehicle market. With regard to the wheelchair van passenger, the most important factors to consider, again start with the person in the wheelchair, including their medical diagnosis and the type of mobility equipment they are using or intend to use. Furthermore, with wheelchair van passengers, considerations for the driver have to be taken into account.
Medical diagnosis is an important factor in determining the type and style of wheelchair accessible van to use or select. The primary consideration aside from the physical equipment and mobility of the person is an answer to the question of the stability of the diagnosis. Is the persons mobility in decline? Is their mobility decreasing as their diagnosis progresses or are they on the road to recovery to an increased level of mobility after the damage caused by an accident? What is their mobility and thus their transportation prognosis over the the next three to five years? What equipment best addresses the need they have or will have over the period?
What type of mobility equipment is being used by the person in the wheelchair? Are they using a manual wheelchair and self propelling, are they in a manual wheelchair and require assistance propelling, are they a proficient power wheelchair user, a new power wheelchair user, or just someone who uses a scooter to get around mostly and has limited mobility but some ambulation? These factors and more can be addressed by a trained mobility consultant .
If the person in the wheelchair is going to be the passenger, then the needs and wants of the person responsible for driving the vehicle are going to need to be taken in consideration along with the type of driving that will be done. Is the person behind the wheel comfortable driving a minivan, or full size van? Can they operate the equipment necessary to properly secure the wheelchair passenger to the van and to their wheelchair. Can the person in the wheelchair ride comfortably for extended periods or just short trips?
In conclusion, many different options exist for gaining the mobility and freedom you deserve. The best advice anyone can give you is to contact a trained, certified consultant who will walk you through the process without trying to sell you whatever they happen to have on the shelf.
S Ramella
Certified Mobility Consultant
http://www.TripleSMobility.com For a free Mobility Consultation
scott at triplesmobility.com
888-475-3083
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