Get all the Mileage You Can
As gas can be a bit of challenge to get for drivers with disabilities, you’ll want to make sure your accessible vehicle can get all the mileage possible before stopping to refuel. Below is a list of some vehicles that are great for conversions and their respective mileages to help you choose which is best for your needs.
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Toyota Sienna FWD Wheelchair Accessible 3.5L – 23 mpg highway, 17 mpg city
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Honda Odyssey FWD Wheelchair Accessible 3.5L – 23 mpg highway, 16 mpg city
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Dodge Grand Caravan FWD SE 3.3L – 24 mpg highway, 17 mpg city
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Chrysler Town & Country FWD Wheelchair Accessible 3.3L – 24 mpg highway, 17 mpg city
Getting Gas is Getting Easier
For drivers with disabilities, a trip to the gas station is inconvenient at best and dangerous at worst, but we are starting to see – on a rather small level but significant nonetheless – more counties take action to make fueling up less of a hassle.
Changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regarding the reach heights of operable parts at pumping stations went into effect March 15. This change updated the 1990 rule that stated gas stations must provide refueling assistance without extra charges and let patrons know that assistance is available. The new change to the Act is meant to give those with disabilities the independence to pump their own gas, but it may still be difficult and dangerous for drivers with disabilities to refuel even with these lower, more accessible buttons. This is why some counties have adapted laws requiring stations to display placards at pumps carrying the International Symbol of Accessibility logo – the white wheelchair on a blue background – with a number to call to get an attendant; intercom systems could be used as well.
Both Hillsborough County and Broward County in Florida have implemented this law stating that it’s easy and inexpensive to work in. One gas station owner spent about $100 on the placards and gets about four to five requests a week. He says the implementation was easy and simple and is something that needs to be done everywhere.
These county mandates are a step beyond the requirements already found in the new ADA law and eliminate the danger that comes with unloading a wheelchair or ramp. It also helps those who do not have strong controlling abilities to use the pump hose or nozzles at self-serve gas pumps. These laws are clearly a great way to help those in need at pumping stations and should be implemented throughout the US and Canada; what are your thoughts? Would you like to see this law in your area?
For more information, call the Dept. of Justice’s ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 (voice) or (800) 514-0383 (TDD).
Agor Enterprises provides and designs vehicle and in home mobility solutions making the world accessible for people with disabilities. Agor Enterprises is a member of NMEDA and is QAP certified. Agor Enterprises is committed to providing the highest standard of safety and service in the industry. Built on the principal that dedication, service to the customer, and quality are paramount in running a successful business, Agor Enterprises continues to be a leader in customized solutions for the physically challenged. Agor Enterprises has also equipped golf carts, lawn mowers, tractors, and houses with various adaptive devices. We continue to welcome challenges to provide solutions that enable independence.
Purchasing a wheelchair van or having your own vehicle modified for your disabilities is costly. To help our veterans and service members with disabilities, the Veterans Administration offers financial assistance to purchase a new or used vehicle and/or have a vehicle adapted.
To purchase a vehicle
A grant (up to $11,000) is available for those with certain disabilities that resulted from an injury incurred or aggravated during active military service. These do not need to be repaid. In October of 2011, the grant will be increased to $18,000.
A veteran or service member must have one of the following disabilities to qualify:
- loss, or permanent loss of use, of one or both feet
- loss, or permanent loss of use, of one or both hands, or
- permanent impairment of vision in both eyes to a certain degree
You may only receive the vehicle grant once in your lifetime.
To have a vehicle adapted
The VA will also pay to have a vehicle adapted. Those qualified for the automobile grant, plus veterans or service members with ankylosis (immobility of the joint) of one or both knees or hips resulting from an injury or disease incurred or aggravated by active military service, may also qualify for the adaptive equipment grant.
Adaptive equipment includes, but is not limited to, power steering, power brakes, power windows, power seats, and special equipment necessary to assist the eligible person into and out of the vehicle. Contact your local VA medical center’s Prosthetic Dept. prior to purchasing any equipment.
This grant may be paid more than once.
For more information, call toll-free 1-800-827-1000 or visit the web site at http://www.va.gov (http://www.vba.va.gov/VBA/benefits/factsheets#BM2 ).
Agor Enterprises provides and designs vehicle and in home mobility solutions making the world accessible for people with disabilities. Agor Enterprises is a member of NMEDA and is QAP certified. Agor Enterprises is committed to providing the highest standard of safety and service in the industry. Built on the principal that dedication, service to the customer, and quality are paramount in running a successful business, Agor Enterprises continues to be a leader in customized solutions for the physically challenged. Agor Enterprises has also equipped golf carts, lawn mowers, tractors, and houses with various adaptive devices. We continue to welcome challenges to provide solutions that enable independence.
You’ve been admiring a van at the local auto dealership and decide it is time to buy your first accessible vehicle. The salesman has a great spiel and suggests that it can be converted to an accessible vehicle nearby. But wait:
- Does he know if the vehicle’s suspension is strong enough to bear the weight of the conversion, adaptive equipment, a wheelchair and all the passengers?
- Does he know if the roof and door can be raised if need be? Or the floor lowered?
- Does he know if there is a heavy-duty electrical system for the accessories?
If you are purchasing your first accessible vehicle, you should first visit your local mobility dealer. A mobility dealer knows which vehicles can be modified and which are more easily modified. They know which modifications require removing parts, how to replace them, how to increase the overall height of the vehicle and much more.
An automotive salesperson knows the vehicles he is selling, but a mobility dealer knows the vehicles and understands the unique needs of a person with disabilities. No two people with disabilities are the exactly the same, beware of cookie-cutter solutions.
For example, if the dealer is not a mobility dealer and sells you a van with luxury extras, that may be money down the drain, as they may have to be removed before converting the vehicle.
Save time and money by consulting with a mobility dealer before making decisions. Deal with a company that can modify a vehicle you already own or provide you with a complete new or used modified vehicle.
Agor Enterprises provides and designs vehicle and in home mobility solutions making the world accessible for people with disabilities. Agor Enterprises is a member of NMEDA and is QAP certified. Agor Enterprises is committed to providing the highest standard of safety and service in the industry. Built on the principal that dedication, service to the customer, and quality are paramount in running a successful business, Agor Enterprises continues to be a leader in customized solutions for the physically challenged. Agor Enterprises has also equipped golf carts, lawn mowers, tractors, and houses with various adaptive devices. We continue to welcome challenges to provide solutions that enable independence.