How to Find the Mobility Van Best for You

Whether you’re shopping for a mobility van for the first time or replacing an older model, a little planning goes a long way. In fact, it is the key to finding a safe, reliable and comfortable conversion van that best meets your special needs.

Mobility Features

Make a list of the mobility features you want. There are going to be features on your list that are a necessity while others may be nice to have. Keep in mind that there will be a cost for each feature, but there are ways to keep it down. For example, conversion vans with manual lifts are the least expensive so choosing this option makes room for some of the other features on your list. Also, rear entry vans often have the widest wheelchair ramps making it easier to enter and exit the vehicle. Keep this in mind while you’re looking around.

Inventory Selection

With a list of the mobility features you want its time to go shopping. Look for a conversion dealer with a large inventory selection of wheelchair conversion vans. This will make it easier to find the best conversion van with the mobility features that are most important to you in your price range. You may be able to find a van conversion dealer located near you.

Affordability

With affordability in mind, the most common conversion vans are Chrysler/Dodge and Toyota Sienna minivans. They are comfortable, accommodate up to seven passengers and are moderately priced so you can add several mobility features and still keep your final cost affordable. Also, make sure the mobility dealer provides a good warranty (3 year, 36,000 miles is standard) and will service the vehicle. This will help keep your vehicle maintenance costs low.

Financing

To achieve the lowest monthly payments, make sure the dealer offers a variety financing options and if there are any manufacturer rebates or other incentives available to lower the price. In some cases, the dealer may be able to help find alternative funding sources if you’re not able to secure traditional financing.

Why You Should Look For the Widest Wheelchair Ramps

You probably haven't given much thought about wheelchair ramps for vans until its time to use it. Then the wish list starts to flow. I wish it were a bit wider. I wish it wasn't as steep. I wish it was easier to use. You get the picture. It’s also important to keep in mind that while public and government spaces are required to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, compliance among vehicle manufacturers is voluntary. The following tips will help ensure you select the ramp that best meets your mobility needs.

Look for the widest ramps.

When you’re looking at conversion vans there are a lot of mobility choices. But one of the most important features not to overlook is the width of the ramp. By ensuring the van conversion has the widest ramp at 34 inches you will have peace of mind knowing that entering and exiting the van will be an easy task.

Insist on commercial grade flooring.

It’s important to keep in mind that you may need to travel during days of inclement weather. Many wheelchair ramps can get slippery when wet. So it’s important to be sure that the ramp you select is manufactured with a commercial grade non-slip floor. This will allow you to safely navigate the ramp in all weather conditions.

Watch out for the slope.

Speaking of safety, the slope merits consideration as well. If the ramp slope is too steep it will be like climbing uphill and rolling down like a roller coaster. The ADA recommends a 4.8 degree slope. This equates to approximately one inch of ramp for each inch of lift height. Of course, a manual ramp lift that extends outwards with a minimal slope is an ideal choice.

Visit a mobility conversion dealer for a test drive.

One of the best ways to determine whether a wheelchair ramp for a conversion vehicle will work for you is to visit a dealer and try it out. This will give you the opportunity to explore its ease of use and have the confidence of being able to safely and quickly enter and exit the vehicle on your own.

Affording the Wheelchair Van You Need (And Want)

If you or a loved one has a disability that requires the use of a wheelchair, finding the money to purchase the wheelchair accessible van that you need (and want) can seem overwhelming. However, before you find yourself overwhelmed by this purchase, you should know that there are plenty of financing options available that can make it significantly more affordable to own a wheelchair conversion van.

Charitable Grants

There are many charities that offer low-interest loans and even grants to disabled individuals who are in need of transportation. In many cases, these grants will not need to be repaid and can help to significantly offset the cost of your new conversion van.
If you are not familiar with the charitable organizations in your community, you may wish to contact your local Department of Human Services or a local advocacy office for a list of charities that may be able to help.

Conversion Van Dealers

A wheelchair conversion van dealer may be able to help you afford the wheelchair van with the mobility features you need and want. This is because many of the major vehicle manufacturers offer rebate programs to individuals with disabilities so that they can make their vehicle wheelchair accessible. Best of all, many of these rebate programs can be used in conjunction with other financing options.

Apply for Government Grants

In addition to grants offered by local charities; you may also qualify for grant programs through the federal and state governments. For instance, the Veterans Administration (VA) currently offers one time grants to disabled veterans who are in need of transportation. In order to qualify for this particular grant, you will need to be an active or an honorably discharged member of the military.

Consider a Low-Interest Loan

Many financial institutions and government agencies offer low-interest loans that are designed specifically for individuals with special needs. These loans are designed to provide the financing they need to purchase a new or used wheelchair accessible conversion van without accruing large amounts of debt in the process. Unlike traditional auto and personal loans, these special loans often offer more favorable interest rates and flexible repayment plans. Furthermore, these loans will often be made available to disabled individuals despite some past credit mistakes. Consequently, even individuals who may not qualify for a traditional loan may be able to qualify for an auto loan through this type of alternative financing.

Manual Lift Vs. Motorized Lift for Special Needs Conversion Vans

 

A motorized lift for your special needs conversion van may sound appealing, until the day the motor gives out. Where will you be when it happens? Stuck inside the van wanting to get out or outside wanting to get in? Either way, it’s a bad position to be in.

A manual lift is easy to operate and will allow you to avoid some of the pitfalls that come along with motorized lifts. Aside from not having to worry about the motor breaking down, here are four advantages of a manual wheelchair lift for special needs conversion vans:

Manual Lifts Are More Affordable

Converting your van to accommodate your mobility needs shouldn’t have to break the bank. A manual lift is a less costly option and easier to maintain. Plus, it offers more convenient accessibility such as rear entry and wider ramps. And choosing a manual lift will leave you with more cash to invest in other accessibility features.

You Never Have To Worry About Motor Repairs

Like all motorized products, power wheelchair lifts will inevitably fail. Maybe even when you least expect it. In some cases, this failure will be due to freezing gears during the cold winter months. Other times, it may simply be the result of old age or worn parts. However, the fact is, no matter the cause of the motor failure, it can easily leave you stranded without the ability to either get into or out of your van.

When using a manual lift, you will never need to worry about your lift giving out. This will allow you to drive with confidence knowing you can always get in and out even if you do not have someone there to assist you.

Manual Lifts Are Lightweight

As you can probably imagine, motorized lifts are much heavier than manual lifts due to the need for a motor and other mechanical parts. This excess weight can result in unnecessary stress on your vehicle and make it harder to operate your lift.

Look for manual lifts that are extremely lightweight, but sturdy. This feature helps to reduce stress on your vehicle, ultimately resulting in the need for fewer repairs over the years.

Manual Wheelchair Lifts Are Easy to Operate

Manual wheelchair lifts are extremely user friendly. In fact, these lifts can often be operated with just the simple push of a button. It’s so simple that anyone can operate it.

Image credit: Daniel Lobo | Flickr

Get Cooking: Guidelines for an Accessible Kitchen

In November it’s impossible not to think of family time, thankfulness and food. Lots of food. If you or a family member use a wheelchair, it doesn’t mean that a chef’s hat is out of the question. Here are a few guidelines to make sure that your kitchen is accessible to every willing cook in your family. Start planning your dream accessible kitchen today! 

1. Kitchen Counters: Accessible countertops need to be a little lower to the ground. Instead of the average 36”, your workspace should be 34” high and 30” wide to ensure that you have enough space to accommodate all the chopping and baking in your future. Eliminate base cabinets to allow easy access to your countertops.
2. Kitchen Sink: You will also need to allow ample knee space under your kitchen sink — at least 27” high and 8” deep. Placing the drain near the back of the sink will give you more room, too. Any exposed pipes should be insulated to protect your knees and toes in that space. When you’re picking a faucet consider placing a single lever model on the side or investing in a touch activated spout for even easier accessibility. 
3. Kitchen Storage: Much like kitchen counters, accessible kitchen cabinets need to be lower in an accessible kitchen. Think smart when organizing and put commonly used items in lower, easy to grab places. If you’re willing to splurge, consider height adjustable cabinets. If that’s not in the budget consider accessories like pull down shelves, divided drawers and Lazy Susan organizers.
4. Kitchen Appliances:
   • Ranges: Make sure your range has flat, front-facing controls for easy access and minimal interference with your clothes and chair as you pass buy.
   • Ovens: An oven with a side swing door offers the best safety and accessibility.
   • Microwaves: Height is key when placing your microwave. Try to ensure the controls are no higher than 48” off the floor.
   • Refrigerators: Your refridgerator choice depends on your cooking style. If you usually reach for fresh ingredients, consider a traditional freezer-top model. If you rely on frozen foods, go for a fridge with the freezer on bottom.
   • Dishwashers: Make sure that your dishwasher is at least 12” off the floor. A single drawer might be the most accessible option for you.
5. Kitchen Floorspace: First, make sure you can enter the kitchen. The entry way should be at least 36” or 42” for optimal comfort. If you have a pass-through kitchen, you’ll need at least 40” of width. U-shaped kitchens should be at least 60” wide for a wheelchair user.

 With our recipe for accessible kitchen success, you can make sure that everyone in your family can be a gourmet. Some updates are as simple as a trip to the store — like grabbing a few Lazy Susans or rearranging your drawer organization — while others will take some planning and budgeting ahead.

 Remember to check our blog often and follow us on Facebook to get the latest on how to make accessibility as simple as possible for your family.