Does Vans Make Wide Shoes

A wheelchair van can brand a huge departure in a wheelchair's life, but it tin also have a positive impact on other people, including caregivers and family members. Shopping for the right wheelchair van is a process, but it'due south easier when yous know what to look for.

Proper Van Size

The overall size of the van can exist a make or break consideration. For example, if you live in an flat building with a parking garage that has a low-clearance entryway, make sure you notice a fan that'due south non as well tall to fit inside. Those who live in urban environments may need to err on the smaller side in terms of overall van dimensions.

Workable Entry Deployment

Wheelchair vans can come with a variety of dissimilar entry systems, from side ramps to rear lifts. Think nigh where you plan to park and load/unload the van before you choose an entry system. Narrow garages and driveways might not suit a side ramp, for example.

Kneeling Systems

Kneeling systems let a vehicle to dip down slightly for loading and unloading, making ramps less steep. You lot may have seen public busses do this—information technology's a squeamish mode to make information technology easier for wheelchair users to get into taller vehicles. Some vans may not crave this characteristic, but it'south something to go on an center out for.

Sufficient Specs

Make sure you get dimension and weight measurements for the combined total of mobility equipment and people who will ride in the van. Ceiling peak may be a consideration for taller people, and weight is ever important to think about. Make certain there's plenty extra infinite to provide comfort, and that y'all aren't maxing out weight limits with people and equipment alone.

Warranties

Equipment involved in a mobility conversion can malfunction or otherwise become unusable. Before you complete a buy, make certain there's sufficient warranty coverage for all of the equipment associated with the van, not just the vehicle itself. If warranty coverage is expired for a used van, y'all can apply that equally a bargaining scrap for negotiating a better price.

Room for Everyone

Who will ride in the van? If you plan to use your new vehicle to take your entire family on route trips, make certain there's enough comfy rider space for everyone. You tin find both mini and full-size vans with wheelchair access, which may allow you to comfortably seat a larger grouping of passengers.

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Accessible Equipment for the Driver

If the wheelchair user plans to bulldoze the van themselves, information technology may exist necessary to modify the driver's seat and controls to provide sufficient accessibility. Will the wheelchair driver sit in their chair or in the car'south seat to drive? This and other considerations can exist evaluated past a 3rd party, such as a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist, who can evaluate the driver and provide special equipment recommendations.

Lifts and Hoists

If the wheelchair user doesn't program to sit in their chair while riding in the van, it may be necessary to look into hoists or lifts. This equipment is powerful enough to load a heavy mechanized scooter or chair into the vehicle, which can exist a major plus for some wheelchair van setups.

Funding

Vans can be expensive plenty on their ain, but all the extra equipment involved in a wheelchair-friendly conversion can actually add together to the price tag. Not many people are able to pay for all this out of pocket. From grants to fundraising and rebates, there are multiple different ways to fund your wheelchair van purchase other than paying out of pocket.

Time and Patience

There are a lot of important decisions to exist made when information technology comes to finding the right wheelchair van. You'll want to requite yourself enough of time to notice out exactly what you need and piece of work with people who make you feel listened to and supported rather than pressured and uncomfortable. Your fourth dimension investment will pay off in the end.