If you or a loved one is physically challenged, getting around can be difficult. It can be especially hard to find transportation from place to place because of the use of a wheelchair. Wheelchair vans are the best way to transport those who are in wheelchairs or scooters. The use of these types of vans is essential in helping improve the ability for wheelchair-bound people to get out and about.
You may choose to purchase a new or used van or you may want to add features to your own vehicle that will improve the mobility of those in a wheelchair. Special features will easily accommodate a wheelchair or scooter and provide the mobility that is often difficult to establish. The Wheelchair van is essential when you want to provide better access to the outside world.
The full sized van and the minivan make the best choices for accessible vehicles. The full sized van lends itself to the adaptation easily, because it already is large enough to hold a wheelchair or scooter. A minivan typically requires the floor to be lowered to allow for the wheelchair to fit comfortably inside. The choice of van style is usually based on personal preference.
The van will require a lift in order to get the chair or scooter into the vehicle. The lift is an easy way to get both the wheelchair and passenger into the van. There are different styles available. They mount in either the rear or side door of the van, allowing easy access to get the chair into the vehicle. Choose to lift only the chair alone or the chair with passenger, into the van.
Once inside the van, the wheelchair or scooter is locked into place to ensure that it doesn’t move while the van is moving. Special controls are available for drivers who are disabled. These controls allow the driver to use the brake and gas with their hands, rather than with their feet.
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.
The world is a wonderful place that was meant for everyone to enjoy. If you think that you are limited because of your disability, you are very wrong. There are many sites on the web today that are focused on making travel more accessible to people with disabilities. These sites are simple to find, and some have even been written up in articles or posted on blogs. They offer a wide variety of solutions for your handicap needs.
Couch Surfing is one of the more budget friendly options. It allows you to sign up for free to connect with others around the world that are willing to lend their ‘couch’ to you. You exchange emails with someone in your destination area to find out if you are compatible. In many cases the hosts will not only offer lodging, but also show their guests around the town and offer inside travel tips. This international network is an excellent resource for travelers with disabilities. This affords the traveler an excellent opportunity to get first-hand accessibility information from the locals. It is noted on the site that there is only one rule: you can never charge for your couch. Talk about a great deal!
Another great site is Accessible Journeys. They offer services such as accessible vacation planning, accessible group tours, accessible group cruises, individual accessible cruises, licensed travel companions, as well as disability travel resources. Listed on their webpage are the 2011 group tours that are available around the world. Some of the destinations for the group tours include the Panama Canal, Chili and Argentina, Italy and Alaska. Accessible Journeys can also plan a custom accessible vacation for those travelers who want their own vacation at their own pace. It is an excellent way to plan the vacation that you have always dreamed of, with all your needs taken into account.
There are many great options out there for travel if you just take the time to find them. Don’t limit yourself to seeing the world because of your disability!
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.
Wheelchairs can be difficult to carry in vehicles unless someone owns a larger car, van or truck. Luckily, wheelchair carriers make this process easier. Wheelchair carriers are motorized tools that will mount a wheelchair either onto the roof or the rear of the vehicle.
Since these devices are constantly exposed to the elements, a wheelchair carrier should be made of good stainless steel, and it has to have a weather-resistant coating. This is important in the torrential downpours we sometimes get in Texas, as well as blazingly hot summer temperatures. Many of these wheelchair carriers will even fold up for storage when not in use.
Bumper-Mounted Wheelchair Carriers or Wheelchair Lifts
There are several types of wheelchair carriers or wheelchair lifts from which a wheelchair owner can choose. One of the most popular is the bumper-mounted wheelchair carrier because owners can mount the carrier to the car him/herself, and it’s easy to remove. These carriers attach to the back of the car and will pick up a wheelchair and store it. These types of wheelchair carriers or wheelchair lifts usually weigh about 100 pounds.
Wheelchair Carriers for Trucks
If someone owns a pick-up truck (and what Texan doesn't?!), then a pick-up wheelchair carrier would probably be the best choice. With these types of wheelchair carriers, owners just press a button, and the carrier will pick up the wheelchair and place it within the bed of the truck.
Hitch Mounts
Another popular type of wheelchair carrier is the hitch-mounted carrier. The hitch-mounted wheelchair carrier comes with a release bar that will release the wheelchair back to the ground. These types of wheelchair carriers need to be manually operated. The hoisting mechanism has to be turned until the wheelchair is tilted far enough back to lock it. While these devices are cheaper, there is some work involved in operating the hoisting mechanism, which may be difficult for some people to use.
Top Mounts
The final type of wheelchair carrier is the top-mounted wheelchair carrier. Just as the name implies, this allows a wheelchair to be stored on top of a vehicle. The wheelchair carrier mechanically pulls the wheelchair to the vehicle roof while someone simply just pushes a button. It will then fold and secure the wheelchair to the roof.
Before purchasing a wheelchair carrier, wheelchair owners should consult a professional. Some carriers come in different sizes based on vehicle size. And, some wheelchair carriers will not work with smaller cars.
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.
If you have looked into buying a new or used wheelchair van you realize that these vehicles can be really expensive. But the benefits are definitely worth the investment.
So how do you purchase a wheelchair van when they out of pocket cost it more than you can handle? Thankfully, there are a number of auto financing options to suit your wheelchair van loan needs. Wheelchair van financing can be obtained a number of different ways. Here are 5 financing options that can help you get on the road to freedom.
1. Vetrans Association Loan
If you are a qualifiying veteran, then tha VA should be your first stop in your search for an auto loan to finance your wheelchair accessible van. The VA offers several auto financing programs, often at lower than market rates.
2. State Vocational Rehabilitation Programs
Every state has lending programs designed to provide financial assistance for handicapped individuals.These programs, you can find van financing options that will help you re-enter or remain in the workforce. Such state financing programs could be a valuable handicap van option if you do not qualify for VA financial assistance.
3. Mobility Rebate Programs
When purchasing a new vehicle for modification, the OEM may offer you rebates for the modifications. Most are $1,000.
4. Local Lending Organizations
In addition to government lending sources, there are many local organizations that can help. Almost every area has a multitude of these types of local organizations, each of which has the potential to make your dream of owning a wheelchair van a realtiy.
5. Specialized Lenders
There are specialty auto leanders that are able to extend the loan amount required to get you driving. Most of these auto loans are specifically designed for wheelchair van financing and offer felixable payment terms, sometimes up to 9 years. Ask a mobility dealer for more information.
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.
Sometimes the hardest part of buying a wheelchair van is understanding the words that are coming out of the salesmans mouth. With so many industry specific terms it can get confusing, here are ten terms you should understand.
1. Oringinal Equipment Manufacturer
When a salesman talks about an original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, they are reffereing to the company that originally manufactured the van. At our dealership the OEM's are Honda, Toyota, Dodge, and Chrysler.
2. Converter
A Wheelchair van does not leave the OEM factory as a wheelchair van. It leaves the OEM as an ordinary passenger van. Enter the wheelchair van converter, this is the company that performs the wheelchair van conversion.
3. Van Conversion
A van conversion is the process where a van is customized to accomidate a person in a wheelchair. This can involve lowering the floor, adding a lift or ramp, installing a kneeling system, modifying a power door system, and customizing the interior of the vehicle. Each van conversion is then crash tested for safety.
4. Hand Controls
These are the controls added to a vehicle to make it possible for drivers without the use of their legs to operate the vehicle.Since they wont be able to use their feet for gass and break these two functions will be operated by hand. They are added at the Mobility Euipment Dealership.
5. Kneeling System
With this system the van actually lowers its self closer to the ground to decrease the angle of the wheelchair ramp for easy loading. This type of suspension is not standard on passenger vans so the converter must modify the suspension during the conversion process.
6. Crash Test
Converting a van is a big deal. Any kind of modification to they chassis can effect its safety. Even though the van was crash tested by the OEM the van needs to be re-crash tested once a conversion has been made. For your safety only buy van conversions that have passed their crash test.
7. Online Sellers
When looking for the least expensive car, van or accessible equipment for a loved one with a disability, Internet-only dealers may seem to have great deals. But, there are many disadvantages from buying your adaptive vehicle online. You can’t see, feel and try out the product. And most products for those with disabilities must be customized to that person. If it doesn’t fit their height, weight or special needs, it will cost much more to have it altered than just the original price.
8. Mobility Equipment Dealer
When you buy locally from a Mobility Equipment Dealer, you can see, feel and try-out the product, meet the owner or staff and shake their hands. You will also receive an in-person evaluation before your purchase so you can be sure you are getting the right solution customized to your needs.
A local Mobility Equipment Dealer will also perform your routine maitanance and service your vehicle in the event of a break down. They are there for you from the first sale through all stages of ownership.
9. Mobility Consultant
I guess we could call them salesmen, but they are so much more than that! They take the time to understand your needs, your expierence, and what you are going through. Then they work with you to find the right mobility solution customized to your personal needs.
10. NEMDA
NMEDA stands for the National Mobility Equipment Dealer Association. NMEDA dealers are required to adhere to the safety standards of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Transport Canada, F/CMVSS and NMEDA’s Guidelines.
The majority of NMEDA Dealer members are involved in the Quality Assurance Program (QAP), an accreditation program that promotes and ensures quality, safety, and reliability within the industry for mobility equipment. QAP is the only program of its kind and offers buyers additional advantages such as 24-hour emergency service. Transportation is the key to freedom, NMEDA is the key
to quality transportation.
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.
Founder of The Braun Corporation, Ralph Braun was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and told he would never see his 13th Birthday. Ralph Braun had two options: sit and wait for that prediction to come true or use those words as fuel to prove it wrong. He never gave a second thought to which path he would choose. Not only did Ralph live to see his 13th birthday, but he founded The Braun Corporation, the world’s leading manufacturer of mobility vehicles.
When Ralph could not longer rely on his own two legs, and he’d outgrown piggyback rides on his father’s back, he began using a wheelchair. Life went on, and Ralph was determined to find a way to keep up with it. He wanted an education, a career and a family, just like anyone else; he just had to work a little harder at it.
First he invented a motorized scooter, the Tri-Wheeler, so he could conserve energy and keep his job as a quality control inspector at a nearby factory. When the factory moved a few miles from his home, he outfitted an old postal jeep with hand controls and a hydraulic lift so he could have reliable transportation to and from work no matter the weather. As his mobility increased, so did attention from the disabled community.
Fifty years ago he was a young man in a wheelchair who needed to get to work.Today Ralph Braun is CEO of The Braun Corporation, the largest manufacturer of wheelchair-accessible vehicles in the world. Capitalizing on the age-old saying "Necessity is the mother of inventory" Braun refused to let his disability hold him back and, in the process, brought independence and mobility to thousands.
Ralph Braun’s book, Rise Above, tells the story of how self-reliance, common sense, and a refusal to accept the status quo led to one man's triumph in business and in life. To purchase: Rise Above: How One Man's Search for Mobility Helped the World Get Moving - Hardcover Feb. 15, 2010) by Ralph W. Braun visit http://www.braunability.com/rise-above.cfm.
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.
Owning a car and driving for fun is a unique, American experience. In the last three decades, the one-car garage has become the two-car garage, which has transformed into the three-car garage. In light of the central role of the automobile, it is no wonder that adaptive driving, and handicap hand controls, play a pivotal role in promoting independence for people with disabilities.
People without disabilities often wonder how folks with limited function in their legs drive a vehicle. If a driver doesn’t use his or her feet to drive, they use their hands. Commonly referred to as ‘hand controls,’ the adaptive equipment used to operate the gas and brake pedals of a vehicle allows for an invaluable independence, sans the local public transportation system.
While this article does not provide information on the entire line of handicap hand controls available (single lever, multi-lever, push-button, slot machine handle, etc.), it does cover the most popular systems on the market.
The Mechanics of Handicap Hand Controls
Hand controls are simple to use, but they are a pain in the rear axle to install. Therefore it is imperative that anyone who purchases a set of handicap hand controls has them installed by an authorized dealer or mechanic. Besides, you don’t want your hand controls to fall into your lap when you hit the brakes.
There are a variety of hand controls on the market. Some hand controls come with an optional mounting bracket that allows the user or installer to adjust the controls so they can be transferred from one vehicle to another. However, you should know that most hand control devices may require some cutting of the underside of the dashboard for proper placement.
For instance, a 2002 Ford Ranger Edge had to have a part of its ‘under dash’ sliced for the placement of hand controls. When the owner sold that vehicle and had the hand controls removed and placed on the new vehicle, he simply went out and purchased a new ‘under side’ for $60.
Now for the whammy: hand controls cost anywhere from $500 to $800, depending on the options chosen. When you add another $200 for installation, the whole ordeal can cost an arm and a leg. However, when purchasing a new car, most automotive manufacturers offer incentive programs wherein they offer up to $1000 for the installation of assistive devices, which includes handicap hand controls. Also, state rehabilitation agencies (every state has one) have been known to foot the bill for hand controls and hand control installation.
How Hand Controls Work
First, you must have an automatic transmission for hand controls to be of use. Tightened to the steering column underneath the steering wheel of the vehicle, most hand controls use a series of levers, attached to the upper part of the gas and brake pedals, to put the vehicle in motion and make it stop.
If you live in a hilly area or in mountainous terrain, make sure you buy the hand controls that allow you to apply the brake and gas pedals at the same time. These are found in hand controls where the driver pushes ‘down’ to engage the gas pedal and ‘forward’ to apply the brake. Other hand controls use ‘forward’ for the brake, but the driver must pull the lever toward them to apply the gas, making it impossible to apply both at the same time.
A majority of the permanent hand controls on the market do not interfere with use of the vehicle by nondisabled drivers, that is, the gas and brake pedals still work.
All hand controls come with an optional headlight dimmer and horn that can be placed directly on the lever, within easy reach.
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.
Every week we hear from someone in need of a wheelchair van or wheelchair lift but without the financial resources to purchase one. In a perfect world, we could donate an accessible vehicle to each person in need. Of course, we wouldn’t be in business much longer if we went that route.
When financing is an obstacle, consider the f-word….fundraising. Whether done on a large scale or at a local level, fundraising can take a considerable amount off the bottom line of a conversion.
Of course, it’s a lot of work. If you’re not convinced the pay-off will be worth the effort, consider the story of Angela and Jonathan Richardson and their sons Jose (16) and Meliano (13).
Both boys have Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and since Jose was 8 and Meliano was 10, they’ve relied on wheelchairs for mobility. Traveling with children is always a tight squeeze, but two wheelchairs left very little breathing room. The family had a ‘99 Chevy Venture equipped with a Braun Vangater lift. As is the case with many of our lifts, the Vangater outlasted the vehicle. For nine years they made it work, until they literally outgrew the van. As Jose grew taller, he had to lean over at an awkward angle while in the van, which was obviously very uncomfortable and gave him no visibility at all.
Meliano Morales in his new ride!
They decided to look into a new van before Meliano “grew” into the same position. For a short time, they used a roomier ‘79 Chevy full-sized van equipped with - what else - a Vangater lift. In fact, the van was equipped with one of the earliest Braun lifts ever produced, and (no surprise) the 30-year-old lift was still running smoothly. Remaining miles were numbered for the van itself. The family started shopping around for a new wheelchair van and was immediately drawn to the BraunAbility Entervan XT. The van offered enough floor space to accommodate both chairs, and most importantly, the higher door height and improved visibility made the ride a lot more comfortable for Jose.
As much as they needed a new van, they worried about how to finance a new vehicle. Before they signed papers, they decided to organize some fundraising to bring down the total. Last July Angela’s sister organized a huge motorcycle ride that raised $8600. That, along with a percentage donation on plant sales from a local nursery, gave the family over $10,000 to put toward the new van. Couple that with some generous rebates, and the Richardsons were able to pay off the price of the conversion and secure financing for the vehicle alone.
“Traveling is SO much easier now,” said Angela. “We love not waiting in the rain for the lift to lower, and the tie-down system is so easy. It’s really saved time and saved our backs!”
Now the boys are able to sit side-by-side in the van (and bother and tease each other, as their mom pointed out). Several different configurations are possible - for the first time, Jose and Meliano can sit in the front seat of the vehicle. “We’ve got tons of head room,” added Angela. “And they really love driving with the backseat windows down.”
The family hit the road for a 17-hour trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma in December. With a comfortable vehicle (and a couple DVD players), the trip was a breeze.
The support of their hometown, the small community of Burlington, Indiana, has been phenomenal. There’s been a lot of encouragement for a follow-up ride. With two wheelchair users in the home, there are always new adaptations to make - wider doorways, a larger bathroom. With their first fundraising attempts under their belt, the family is looking ahead to raising money for home improvements to make life a little easier and more comfortable for the boys.
In just two months, the Richardsons were able to ease the financial burden of a new conversion considerably. The same could be done for anyone who thinks a new wheelchair van is out of reach. If you know of any other fundraising success stories, feel free to share your advice with us and the rest of our fans!
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.