What to Consider When Buying a Wheelchair Accessible Automobile
When shopping around for an automobile that can accommodate a wheelchair, the style of car is admittedly limited. Sedans are the most popular desired choice simply because that’s the preferred family car for the general population, but it’s unlikely you’ll find one with a lift into the cabin. Most if not all scenarios where a family requires an automobile with a wheelchair platform lift system call for a van or minivan. With the style narrowed down, the real focus should be put on the particular reliability and comfort factors of the car.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s last overhaul of platform lift system regulations was in 2005. The first piece of advice would be to shop for a vehicle made after these regulations were passed because the federal government had enforced certain particulars about car lift systems that had not been prior, such as the specifications of distance between the lift and the ground, acceleration, and the safety of edges and guards. It’s a good idea to print out the most recent government demands when shopping around, that way if you find a vehicle made prior to 2005 you can still see if it offers the most optimum design and safety measures possible for the person in question and the purse of the buyer.
Minivans are the most popular choice made due to their sleekness relative to larger models and the likelihood for the vehicle’s lift system to more than accommodate the needs of a smaller individual especially a child. It’s important to consider the ceiling space available to the person in the wheelchair, as their seat is likely to be significantly higher than the installed passenger seating. Sliding doors are most optimum for lift systems but many of the open-out doors of minivan models can accommodate a worthy lift system just fine. Ultimately it will be the type of wheelchair that’s important. Most manual and electric wheelchairs and even scooters can fit in a minivan and be carried by a lift just fine.
Full-sized vans are the safest best if there’s more than one person traveling in a wheelchair or if future changes, whether it be the growing size of the individual or added family in general, make buying a more spacious van a smarter long-term idea. You often don’t have to worry about ceiling space with vans built for industry, but they are indeed bulky and likely more expensive unless it’s an older model built before the most recent federal specifications.
The style might be limited but the internal specifications of minivans and a full sized van varies greatly. Don’t settle on the first one you see, and don’t forget to get some advice from those who assemble and/or sell these vehicles. Just remember what the DOT has to say about it first, and always keep in mind that the situation can always change and the right choice considers that.
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