About
Wheelchair Vans
Need
for Wheelchair Vans
Paul Ulrich, a GM engineer who is also in a wheelchair rightly
said - "Nobody knows how important independence is until
you don't have it" . Many thanks to General Motors, Ford
Corp. and Chrysler Corp – the giants in automobile industry
did not forget people in wheelchairs.
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They
spent huge sums of money and put a lot of effort to design
automobiles (Wheelchair vans) that can be used by wheelchair
users. Financially too they have made it possible for a wheelchair
user to own a wheelchair van or automobile through their different
funding programs.
Any
automobile can be converted to suit a wheelchair user. But
wheelchair vans are more comfortable and a lot of options
available to choose a perfect according to ones need.
Excellent
hand control devices are available for wheelchair vans for
a comfortable and easy driving.
We
can split wheelchair vans into two basic types according to
the user’s need:
1) Just a travel equipment – The user will travel like
a passenger and does not want to do their own driving.
2) Want to drive around and burn some rubber!
For the first case the equipment will be simple and the wheelchair
van does not need a lot of alteration. A ramp or a lift to
get in and out will be sufficient in most cases.
But in the second case some alterations are necessary. But
nothing is impossible. The wheelchair van can be altered perfectly
according to your need.
Driving
wheelchair vans involves more responsibility. So, if you are
qualified to drive, the authorities will surely provide a
license and you can enjoy your ride. But if not, stay within
your limitations and still enjoy the ride while someone else
drives.
Know
your need
An assessment centre can absolutely help you in assessing
your needs and prescribe a perfect wheelchair van for you.
You will find professionals who have huge experience working
with wheelchair users and wheelchair van vendors. Normally
they look into
•
Your capabilities
• Eye sight
• Hearing
• Wheelchair to van transfer ability
• Ability to get the wheelchair into and out of the van
• Mental ability
• Perception
• Ability to make quick decisions
to
prescribe a best suited wheelchair van for you.
There
are a number of assistive technologies and devices available
to overcome most of the problems. For example, a person with
hearing problems can use siren sensors or a person with little
or no ability to transfer wheelchairs to the vans can use
wheelchair lifts, which does the job completely by itself
without any human assistance or drive the vehicle just sitting
on a wheelchair!
Wheelchair
vans are expensive but not unaffordable. The major manufacturers
of wheelchair vans do provide plenty of schemes and funding
programs to make it affordable. Please visit general motors,
Chrysler corp or ford corp sites for more information.
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