A basic question to ask when looking for a wheelchair accessible van is: "Is the person in the wheelchair going to drive or be a passenger?" It may seem elementary; but think about it like this: there are just as many adaptive equipment solutions as there are medical diagnosis' that require them. Knowing this can propel you forward into one of two different directions and prevent you from overspending on modifications you do not need or not getting all the mobility you need by under buying equipment. Whether the person in the wheelchair will be a passenger or a driver, is not the only consideration, but it is the first and will determine how you will proceed in the selection process.
2. How much can I afford to spend on a wheelchair van?
Aside from buying a home, the purchase of an automobile is the biggest ticket item that a person will buy in their life. Adding the cost of the accessibility modifications and equipment for mobility, a wheelchair van can be more expensive than your first home.
The structure of a wheelchair van has three parts. You start off with an original vehicle, either a full size van or minivan that has been built for regular passenger use by one of the major automobile manufacturers, Dodge, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, and Toyota are the most prevalent in the mobility equipment market. Next you have to make the vehicle accessible for a person in a wheelchair by either lowering the floor (minivan) or raising the roof and door (full size) so the person does not have to get out of the wheelchair to get into the van. Finally, if the person in the wheelchair is going to drive, then you have another cost factor to consider, adaptive driving aids. These are the specialty items that permit a person in a wheelchair to manipulate the controls of the van and operate as the driver.
3. Where can I get the money?
What you end up with is a package that costs around $50,000 to $70,000 and more if you want to drive. Some vehicle modifiers will have financing programs with extended terms to lower the payment.
Below are a few more to research for loans, grants and aid in funding of your mobility equipment;
- The Veterans Administration
- Diagnosis specific support groups
- Local Bank or Credit Union
- State Funded Agencies
- Mobility Equipment Dealer
4. What are the dimensions of my wheelchair with me in it?
Figuring out your dimensions and measurements while seated in your wheelchair may be a little difficult without assistance, but is an important matter that should be done with the greatest care and accuracy to ensure a proper fit for the wheelchair van. Having this information handy along with knowing the make, model and serial number of your wheelchair or scooter is vital information you need in order to be an educated consumer and help your mobility consultant develop a sense of your overall mobility. When taking measurements, it is important to remember to rotate, tilt and otherwise position yourself as you would when traveling so your measurements accurately reflect your need.
Here is a list of measurements, their definition and how to measure them:
- Passenger Eye Plane: a measure of the distance from the normal plane of sight to the floor when the person is seated in the wheelchair looking straight ahead
- Passenger Height Seated: This the measurement of the distance from the top of the head of the person seated in the wheelchair, down to the ground
- Overall Mobility Length: This measurement is the distance from the back of the push handles to the very front of the wheelchair legs or the toes of the person in the wheelchair, whichever is longer
- Overall Wheel Width: This is the distance that is widest on the wheelchair, typically between the hubs on the outside of the chair
5. How will I use my wheelchair van?
Think about your life and how you used your vehicle in the past. The purpose of these modifications is to get you back to that level of mobility as easily as possible. Do you want to go on long trips to see family in other states? Are you only going to use the van for trips around town? To the store or out to dinner with friends? If you have friends and family members who will travel with you, how many and what type of seating do they need? Do you use oxygen tanks or machines that you will need to carry with you?