All wheelchair accessible vans do the same thing; they provide freedom and independence. With a wheelchair accessible van you no longer have to wait for the bus to come, or stay home on the weekend when the buses aren’t running. There are more wheelchair accessible van options on the market today than ever before, and the process of choosing the right vehicle can seen overwhelming. With the help of a properly trained and certified Mobility Consultant, this process of choosing the right vehicle can be easy and enjoyable! There are several peices of information your Mobility Consultant will need to know to help you pick out the right vehicle:
#1 The height of the person in their wheelchair is the most important peice of information to a Mobility Consultant. Not how tall they are standing, but rather how tall they sit in their chair. This will tell your Mobility Consultant what size door height and ceiling dimensions you will need to fit in the van. The average person sits anywhere from 48” to 54”. A standard wheelchair accessible van has a door opening of approximately 54” with a ceiling height of 57-58”. (Note: a standard van from the factory has an opening of 44-45” with a floor to ceiling dimension of 47-48”.)
#2 The second peice of the equation is where you want to sit in the van – front passenger, mid-section or as a driver. Drivers will need extra equipment such as a hand controls, transfer seat base, or wheelchair docking device.
Other factors that will determine the correct wheelchair accessible vehicle include
#3 Will you be an independent driver?
#4 Will you have a care giver and does that care giver have any physical limitations?
#5 Can you transfer/do you want to?
These questions will determine the style of the van that best suits your needs including whether the vehicle has an automated door and ramp or is manual in its operation, and whether the vehicle is a side or a rear entry van.
#6 The final peice of the equation is how much do you have in your monthly budget for the vehicle? There is long term financing on new vans and extended terms on used vans. Financing is based on individual credit, and it’s customary to have 20% down either cash or trade. (We accept all trades, whether they are adapted or not.) You many qualify for assistance for different organizations such as: Workman’s Comp, Vocational Rehabilitation, Independent Living, or Veterans Administration. There are many other Government programs, so please let your Mobility Consultatnt know which program you are on or ask what program you may qualify for.
The Braun Corporation, the leading manufacturer of wheelchair accessible vehicles and wheelchair lift systems, recently honored Ilderton Conversion of Charlotte with the Customer 1st Award. The award recipients were selected based on customer survey results over the course of 2010.
BraunAbility has over 200 dealer locations nationwide, and each is staffed with mobility experts who are trained to evaluate the individual needs of customers. In addition, most locations offer 24-hour roadside emergency assistance, so customers have the assurance of support and service for their BraunAbility wheelchair accessible vehicle, even in the middle-of-the-night or on a holiday weekend.
Visit www.braunability.com for more information about BraunAbility wheelchair vans and lift systems.
About The Braun Corporation
The Braun Corporation is the world’s leading manufacturer of wheelchair accessible vans, ramps, and wheelchair lift systems. These products enable persons with physical disabilities to regain mobility and lead active and independent lives. The Indiana-based company was founded by Ralph Braun, who was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at a young age and unable to walk by age 15. Ralph was motivated by his disability to invent the world’s first electric scooter (the Tri-Wheeler) and wheelchair lift (the Lift-A-Way) in his parents’ garage. Word spread and demand for the product increased, resulting in the birth of Save-A-Step Manufacturing, which ultimately became The Braun Corporation. The company, via the BraunAbility brand, offers the most diverse model lineup in the industry, including the most popular minivan models from Dodge, Chrysler, Honda, and Toyota. For more information about the Braun Corporation or our outstanding line of wheelchair accessible vehicles, please visit www.braunability.com.
