Posts Tagged ‘accessible vehicle’

Adaptive Driving Access Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

Adaptive Driving Access supplies a big selection of new and used conversion wheelchair accessible vehicles that are manufactured to answer a disabled person's needs. They also offer handicap accessible vehicles for rent throughout Texas. Engineered for your disability conversion van requirements, the handicap van and other converted vans are extensively tested to ensure a quality end user experience.

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Are you in a position where you need a wheelchair van?

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.

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Young Boy Needs Handicap Accessible Van

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.

Manual Rear Entry Handicap Vans

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.

Handicap Driving Controls

If you are searching for handicap driving controls, AbilityTrend.com has an interesting article about these unique accessible mobility products.

A handicap driving control for individuals with a disability can usually be installed into most vehicles–whether you drive a car, truck, SUV, or mini van. Many disabled drivers like to have a set of mechanical hand controls and steering aids installed into a lowered floor minivan (Handicap Accessible Van) for a fully accessible vehicle.

There are several basic types of handicap driving controls: hand controls, steering controls, steering aids, left foot accelerators, and reduced effort steering. A higher level of driving handicap controls are electrical and will require a more extensive evaluation and training period. Check with a local mobility dealer for more information about financing, funding, or grants that may be available in your area. A local mobility dealership can also help answer your questions on pricing as these will vary regionally.

VMI Northstar with Honda Odyssey Part 7

Part 7 of the VMI Northstar handicap van conversion on the Honda Odyssey chassis shows just how much VMI wants to meet their customer needs.  What do you suppose happens to the carpet flooring in a wheelchair accessible van?  That’s right, it gets used and abused.  VMI has a rubberized flooring flooring option in their accessible vehicle conversions that is easy to clean and keeps looking new long after carpet would have worn out.

Not only does VMI care about the looks of their handicap accessible vans, they also put a high premium on customer safety.  For this reason, the include a backup system that can run the VMI Northstar handicap conversion even if “worst case” scenario happens.  No matter what, even in a total electrical failure, this fail safe will allow you to operate the conversion and safely enter and exit the vehicle.

VMI Northstar with Honda Odyssey Part 5

Part 5 of the VMI Northstar handicap van of the Honda Odyssey minivan gets into the meat and potatoes of the accessible vehicle conversion.

Features included in the VMI Northstar handicap van conversion:

• Remote control activation of the entire mobility system
• Power sliding passenger door
• Power in floor handicap accessible ramp
• Power Kneel
• Multiple button locations

VMI Northstar with Honda Odyssey Part 3

In part 3 of the VMI Northstar handicap van conversion on the Honda Odyssey, some of the convenience features of the Honda Odyssey are covered. But in a handicap van, convenience features also mean accessible features.

Honda Odyssey handicap accessible vans by VMI offer:

• Auto Roll Down windows – with the touch of a button on the keychain remote the windows roll down.  This allows you to start to cool your accessible vehicle immediately once you are within the remote controls working distance.
• Heat Rejecting Glass – keeps the interior of your accessible van cooler so it doesn’t take so long to get comfortable.  This feature will also keep the interior of your van looking newer longer.

BraunAbility

BraunAbility handicap lifts and handicap accessible vans allow individuals with physical disabilities to live more actively and independently.  By exploring their mobility products and equipment, you will learn that they have a mobility solution to meet any personal mobility requirements.  Their quality conversion handicap vans with lowered floors and handicap ramps are the best accessible vehicle solution.

Braun has a handicap lifts selection guide that can help you decide which lift will work best for your needs, lifestyle, and budget.  Braun lowered floor accessible minivans are unique and available in a configuration to fit your specific situation.  Their accessible minivans are available on a variety of chassis, including Chrysler, Dodge, Toyota, and Chevy.  BraunAbility also makes wheelchair carriers that can make a car more accessible.

Handicap Van Manufacturers

Who Makes Handicap Accessible Vehicles?

Today, your choices in handicap vans and handicap accessible vehicles are virtually limitless. There are a number of modified vehicle manufacturers who build conversion vans for handicap use. In fact, they make a variety of vehicles that are accessible for wheelchairs, including minivans, full size vans with a lift, trucks, suv’s, and even cars. Remember that each mobility product will offer a different level of mobility and accessibility.  A handicap accessible van is the most accessible vehicle offered today.  A vehicle with a lift is less accessible, but often will meet accessibility requirements while saving money.  A simple handicap ramp can sometimes be a cheap mobility solution, but make sure the ramp angle is low enough for safety and ease of use.

BraunAbility

- Located in Winimac, Indiana and builds handicap accessible vans and handicap lifts.

Vantage Mobility International

- Located in Phoenix, Arizona and manufactures handicap accessible minivans, full size handicap vans, handicap vehicle lifts, and scooter lifts.

Viewpoint Vision Mobility

- Located in Kalamazoo, Michigan and makes lowered floor rear entry minivans.

AMS Vans, Inc

- Located in Norcross, Georgia, AMS Vans makes the Legend Side Entry and Edge Rear Entry handicap accessible van.

Rollx Vans

- Located in Savage, Minnesota, Rollx builds lowered floor handicap accessible minivans and full size handicap vans.

Accubuilt

- Located in Lima, Ohio, Accubuilt manufacturers full size commercial handicap vans with lifts.

Freedom Motors USA, Inc

- Located in Battle Creek, Michigan, Freedom Motors converts a variety of accessible vehicles.  They convert minivans, SUV’s, and crossover vehicles.