ACCESS MOBILITY CENTER

Buying a Handicap Accessible Van

Dealing with the hassles of transportation is the last thing that a person with a disability should have to worry about. The mounting stress associated with trying to move from one place to the next is enough to keep you indoors, away from the rest of the world. Even asking for help can be a problem because you have to worry about the aggravation of getting in and out of the vehicle and storing your scooter or wheelchair. Wheelchair mobility vans give you the freedom of the road and the freedom from worry.

Families and friends of those with a disability are making an investment when purchasing a handicapped accessible van. Quality and safety are at the forefront of the vehicles design, not to mention the ease of travel and access. Because each person purchasing a handicapped accessible van has a different set of financial circumstances, you can either buy new one or pre-owned.

As you consider investing in a handicapped accessible van, you should take a few moments to sit down and make a list of the specific and general needs you will need. You will be able to narrow down your options, which will then help you make a move in the right direction.

Your handicapped accessible van will serve an important role in your life; therefore, you should make sure that you are buying a quality product for both new and used vans. You must ensure that all the equipment is reliable and that the parts are readily available if anything should break.

Except for the fact that handicapped accessible vans have undergone a conversion, they are just like any normal car. It is imperative that you pay close attention to the interior, the extra machinery, and the condition of the engine and tires. Check to see that the van was serviced regularly and take the time for your professional mechanic take a look at the van and give their opinion before you decide to buy.

It isn't fair that individuals with disabilities feel like they are causing everyone so much trouble when they ask for help getting from here to there. With a handicapped accessible vehicle you can finally let them relax and just enjoy the outing like the rest of the family because now you will have them getting in and out of the car within minutes. If you are still having trouble making up your mind, you could rent a handicapped van for a few days and experience the product before making up your mind for sure.
 

Full-Size vs. Mini-Van

When buying an accessible handicap van one thing to think about is how you want your space to be created. There are advantages and disadvantages to each, and you must choose which suits your needs most accurately.

You can buy a full-size used handicap van which typically requires a lift rather than a ramp. Full-size vans are advantageous mainly because of their size. You have plenty of room to fit the wheelchair user inside while most people can stand straight up while fastening the chair in place. Then in the back you still have plenty of room for luggage or whatever else you may need. These vans are typically much more powerful than a minivan as well and have the ability to tow if necessary. They will also never have a problem with ground clearance, as they sit much higher than minivans.  One thing to note while feeling the power and size is the gas mileage. Full-size vans biggest disadvantage is their thirst for energy. While their tank is much larger so you don't have to fill up that often, just keep in mind that when you do you will have a hefty bill on your hands.

The other option would be to buy a minivan with either a raised roof or a lowered floor. Minivans are typically preferred over full-size vans for many reasons, especially conversions with a lowered floor. They have the image appeal as they look very similar to a regular van, and tend to drive much easier than full-size vehicles as well. With the lowered floor, a ramp becomes much easier to access as the floor is lower to the ground. On the reverse side of this, they lose a bit of ground clearance so be careful if you have to travel much on a dirt or rocky road. Having the option for a ramp can be huge, while they are preferred well over a bulky lift. They are much more reliable, they don't rattle as much, and they clean up much neater. Minivans also typically cost less than a full-size van to convert, which can sometimes be a determining factor.  The main disadvantage to the minivan is a lack of extra space. Tying the chair down can sometimes be a pain, and other than the area behind the back seat there is not much cargo space. The biggest advantage of accessible minivans by far is gas mileage. With gas rising like it is today, this has been a detrimental factor in vehicle purchases today and it should definitely be taken into consideration.

 Ultimately the decision is yours, and there are definitely positives and negatives about each so there is no wrong answer when choosing between a full size wheelchair van or accessible minivan .
 

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Last modified: 07/27/10   Access Mobility Center, Midland, Michigan 989-633-6100