A recent press release from Vantage Mobility International was good news to full size handicap van drivers who use a handicap lift. VMI told the world they were making available a new generation of Ricon Slide-Away platform handicap lift for full size vans. Because they are one of the leading manufacturers and distributors of platform handicap lifts, Vantage Mobility International developed this exciting design for greater access for the disabled as well as other passengers.
“Our new Ricon Slide-Away handicap platform lift is a big step forward in quality, design, and functionality,” said Doug Eaton, CEO of Vantage Mobility International. “The engineering team has worked hard to give it exclusive features and technology… Not only does it employ the highest quality parts, but this handicap platform lifts functionality is unmatched.”
VMI and Ricon also redesigned several system components to give these handicap lifts even better performance than previous models. These upgrades include a better pressure relief valve in the hydraulic lift pump and a change to aluminum from steel to reduce the weight of the handicapped lift.
“While our Slide-Away handicap lift is the culmination of over 20 years of design ingenuity, that is only a piece of this new disabled access product,” added Eaton. “How we put together the Slide-Away is just as important as the parts, design, and technology. VMI has spent the last two years improving our handicap lift manufacturing processes to better ensure the Slide-Away from Ricon will perform up to customer expectations.”
Additional information about the VMI Ricon Slide Away handicap lifts can be found at VantageMobility.com.
The Mobility Conquesthandicap accessible motorcycle will make its first Colorado appearance July 4-9 at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Denver. These games represent the biggest disabled sports competition in the world.
“We are excited to participate and sponsor the Veterans Wheelchair Games,” Mark Allen Roberts of Mobility Conquest said. “We look forward to helping our service men and women reconnect with their passion for riding motorcycles. Our focus is to help them get on the road again in our Conquest Motorcycle, designed for people with physical challenges from the waist down to drive a motorcycle while in their wheelchair.”
Mobility Conquest is committed to offering disabled people with a love of the open road an ability to reconnect with the sport. Entering a Mobility Conquest handicap accessible motorcycle is simple and safe because the driver doesn’t have to leave their wheelchair. These accessible trikes have six forward gears and a BMW engine. Acceleration is as fast as 0 to 60 in only 7.6 seconds.
In addition to the mechanical aspects of these handicapped motorcycles, they can easily accommodate a passenger and their specific disabled needs. The front and rear suspension has been engineered to make the trike handle and drive just like an original.
Accessible Mobility Conquest motorcycles were selected to participate in the opening ceremonies of the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, and will be rode by veteran biker CJ Snider of Denver, CO. Snider will also help out in an air rifles booth, as well as ride the handicap motorcycle conversion in the opening parade.
Snider is the perfect example of someone who benefits from an accessible motorcycle. She enjoyed motorcycle riding until an injury made her quesiton if she would be able to do it again. She tried custom built accessible trikes, but each had its drawbacks. The accessible motorcycle from Mobility Conquest allows the rider to enter while sitting in their mobility device.
“This was a very comfortable ride,” Snider said. “I would definitely not mind owning one. The owner of the bike let me ride in circles around the parking lot. I told him I was getting dizzy, so we took it out for a ride.”
The National Veteran Wheelchair Games is the biggest annual wheelchair athletics competition on the planet. Some of the sports include rugby, hand cycling, basketball, softball, and more. Kids can even participate during “Kids Day.” During this time, young people who are disabled can meet the athletes who participate in the games.
All told, this event will be a fun and exciting time for all who are involved. The products and abilities which will be on display provide hope for thousands of disabled veterans.
Braun Ability is one of the most well known handicap accessible van manufacturers in the country. They make accessible minivan conversions like the Braun Entervan and Braun Rampvan. These handicap accessible vans have helped countless individuals achieve greater independence. However, Braun also has a pretty nifty blog that talks about their mobility products, the people who use them, and the everyday issues that handicapped people face.
One recent article that lots of people found interesting was their review of “the little blue sign”, the handicapped parking symbol. Where did it come from? Who designed it? How long has it been around?
Back in 1969, the International Commission on Technology and Accessibility (ICTA) held a competition to design a symbol that would designate handicapped accessible areas. Susanne Kofoed, a graphic designer from the Copenhagen area of Denmark, won the competition. (source)
The blog goes on to outline the need for an updated handicapped parking symbol. Today, handicap accessible parking needs to accommodate a wider range of disabilities, not to mention the fact that there are quite a few more types of handicap accessible vehicles and accessible vehicle conversions on the road that require more space.
LiftMyScooter.com is a website which was built for people looking for info on handicap scooter lifts for vans from VMI (Vantage Mobility International). There are a lot of options for people who are looking for greater accessibility in a vehicle. It is sometimes difficult to process all the different handicapped products online. It should be noted that a handicap scooter lift may not meet every accessible need. For those individuals requiring better vehicle access, a handicapped van can be a great option. LiftMyScooter.com provides information on these handicap van conversions.
Elite G2 Scooter Handicapped Lifts
VMI Elite G2 lifts are designed to be convenient and simple. They have features. These scooter handicapped lifts have a platform which can be driven on or off, which is not a standard industry feature. The Elite G2 also offers enough strength for loading heavy power handicap scooters in a quick manner. Interior space is also maximized in these handicapped van scooter lifts. As an affordable scooter lifting solution, the VMI Elite G2 is a great option. It is even available with 5 color accents to suite your mobility device and vehicle. For individuals considering a higher degree of access, a handicap accessible van conversion could be a better choice.
Excel Handicapped Scooter Lift
The VMI Excel handicapped scooter lift is perfect for tight fits. This is possible by reducing the vertical height required at the back of the vehicle. They are mounted inside the handicap vehicle, and lifts a device inside to protect it. It features a slim design which blends nicely with almost any accessible vehicle interior. The Excel also offers curbside loading options, offering accessibility for handicapped people like never before. A hearty weatherized option is great for access to a handicap truck bed. These scooter lifts can safely raise up to 350 lbs, meaning most power devices can easily work.
VMI Outback Lifts
VMI Outback scooter handicapped lifts represent a sturdy answer for a hitch mounted transportation. They also work on almost any handicap vehicle.
Handicap Van Conversions
Handicap van conversions are a higher level of accessible vehicle which should be considered for those requiring better access. Most handicapped minivans have a lowered floor with a ramp (known as a handicap ramp van). Many handicapped vans come with either an infloor or folding ramp. Some manufacturers offer nationwide delivery, while other work with local handicap van dealers. The VMI Northstar handicap accessible van has an infloor ramp, while the Summit has a folding handicapped ramp. Both the Summit and Northstar are available on the Honda Odyssey, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Chrysler Town and Country.
Handicap stair lifts make it easier for you or a member of your family in a wheelchair to go up and down stairs in your home, business, church, or any other building with steps. Stair lifts for disabled are designed to help people who cannot safely traverse stairs. These motorized seats are mounted on a track that will easily move the person with a disability from one floor to the next. Handicap lifts for stairways are often battery operates, but they can also be hardwired into your home’s electrical grid. There are even models which plug into the wall, and most types of handicap stair lifts do not require invasive structural modifications to your home.
Lifts for stairs may work well for homeowners who use a wheelchair full time, but anyone with a disability who finds it difficult to get around can use a stair lift. A big selection of these mobility devices are available, and a local mobility dealership can help you choose the right one for your level of mobility and home. Some things you will want to consider are the widgh of the seat and weight limit, sometimes call load capacity.
A used handicap stair lift is difficult to find, because most of these items are custom built for the steps in your home or business. However, some mobility dealers may be able to transform a used lift for stairs that will work in your home. A mobility store might also have other mobility products like handicap vans, accessible handicap vehicles, handicap lifts, and handicap driving controls.
Prior to the 2010 NMEDA conference in Reno, Nevada, we did a preview about the NMEDA conference as well as a list of vendors at the NMEDA conference. We received a lot of reader feedback requesting a recap of the major events and news. We had a chance to sit down with Bob Lundin of IMED Mobility to discuss some of the major breakthroughs at this year's NMEDA get together.
At Para Quad Mobility, they know the challenges disabled people face, and work hard to find the most effective accessible mobility vehicle conversions for improving their quality of life. They continue to believe in reaching each and every handicapped person to meet individual customer’s needs while exceeding stringent handicapped vehicle standards. Para Quad has a broad variety of new and used handicap access vehicles, and they might even be able to change an unconverted minivan into a wheelchair accessible van.
They also have accessible mobility vehicles rentals in Utah state.If you currently have a handicapped access van with limited room to maneuver your wheelchair or scooter, Para Quad is here to help. Take a peek at their full size conversion ability vans. They are also experts at converting the insides of wheelchair accessible van conversions to the detailed requirements of the disabled individual. The conversion professionals at Para Quad are also able to install transfer seats or other handicap driving aids for disabled accessible vehicles.
Prior to the sale of any accessible wheelchair conversion vehicle, they will go through the accessible aspects for you. They know the specific needs of each customer, and will make suggestions as to the proper disabled access conversion to meet the need. They take pride in the safety of their accessible vans, and every mobility vehicle they sell goes through an extensive testing process. Their quality control staff keep up with the latest information in the industry, and are up to date with the top options for mobility accessible vehicles.
Are you in a position where you need a wheelchair van? An accessible wheelchair vehicle can make you more independent. Its hand controls are simple to use. All accessible features should be engineered so a trained driver can use them easily. Handicapped van conversions are wonderful, especially for individuals living with disability. Ability van conversions make living easier and simpler for the families with a disabled loved one. The kinds and makers of handicapped accessible vehicles varies greatly to meet the different requirements of disabled people.
There are three kinds of disabled conversion vans. In order to accommodate a wheelchair ramp, the center and front areas of the minivan interior are lowered. The handicap accessible minivan has an electric folding handicap ramp, electric in-floor ramp, or manual in floor and fold out ramp.
Any family with a disabled child knows that even simple day to day tasks can be challenging. If a young child with disability needs accessible transportation, mom and dad can simply lift him or her into a vehicle. Wheelchairs for young kids are often light weight enough to transport fairly easily.
However, disabled children grow, gain weight, and some want more experiences out of life than they can get with mom and dad constantly toting them around. A handicap accessible van can be a big step for teenagers with disabilities. Parents of a teenager living with disability often struggle to balance the desire for a normal life for their child and the enormous expense of buying a handicap van conversion.
I found an interesting blog post about one community is taking an interesting approach to buying a handicap accessible vehicle for a boy who needs one:
A woman named Donna McWilliams attended a church event at Solid Rock Church in Clinton, Michigan a few weeks ago with the Parent family and noticed firsthand the happiness this family illuminates. We enjoyed the day with Reilly and his family and realized how much easier their life could be if they only had a wheelchair van! A van that has been modified with a lift or ramp and raised ceiling where Reilly could just drive up into the van and could stay in his wheelchair. That way he would not have to transfer from his chair to the van each time they needed to go out. As a result of that meeting, Donna and her family are making a bold effort to raise the $60,000 that Steven and Charmaine Parent will need to purchase a wheelchair van and to continue living a life that affords mobility for their active young son, Reilly…. You can help! Contribute to the Parent family through ChipIn: www.chipin.com/contribute/id/9863d4079aa568a7 Learn more about Reilly and his family: reillyslift.blogspot.com
Even in today’s age of technology and high finance, it is great to see a community get out and support one of their own. If you have the ability, consider donating to Reilly’s cause.
1 comment - What do you think? Posted by
admin -
02/24/2010 at 7:28 pm
Why would someone choose a manual operation rear entry handicap van like a manual Viewpoint Vision conversion? The biggest reason so many mobility consumers like this type of handicap conversion van is that they can save money over more expensive power operated rear loading or side entry vans for handicap use. But that isn’t all. A manual rear loading handicap van offers durability and dependability that can be lacking in a powered mobility conversion. There aren’t any electrical systems to fail or wear out, and the long term savings in repairs adds to the lower cost. These handicap vans work very well for individuals using a wheelchair who will have the assistance of an attendant, like a family with an aging parent or a small child. Any person looking into buying a handicap accessible van or other type of accessible vehicle should carefully consider how they will use it on a day to day basis and consult with a professional before purchasing–especially if it is the first handicap vehicle they will own.
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