We've all been there before, you expect something to work and suddenly it doesn't. This can be especially frustrating if the equipment that is not working is the ramp to your handicap van. Thankfully the wheelchair van conversion manufactoreres have thought about this and created a back up.
If you press the button and the ramp wont deploy there is back up process in which the ramp will still deploy in all the situations.
In the instance of a power failure most conversions offer a direct power line should certain switches or buttons fail to work. 90% of the time you can push these back up buttons and the ramp and door will operate as usual. When all else fails you can open the door manually and push or pull the ramp out to deploy.
Remember it is important to keep the phone numbers of your local mobility equipment dealerhsip with your van. Often they have 24 hour emergancy service, and will come rescue you if you are treuly stuck in your van. If you are taking a road trip with your wheelchair van look up Mobility Equipment Dealers near your desitination. If you spend a lot of time in your wheelchair van you may want to consider getting AAA.
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.
A wheelchair lift for your accessible vehicle can run the gamut from mandatory safety features to options like whisper-quiet operation and remote controls, depending on what you need and what you can afford.
Some things are standard while others are optional.
For example, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requires wheelchair-accessible vans with wheelchair lifts to be equipped with a safety lift interlock. Designed to prevent operation of the wheelchair van or wheelchair lift in unsafe situations, the safety interlock sounds an alarm if an unsafe condition exists (e.g., the vehicle attempts to move while the lift is deployed) or prevent the vehicle from shifting into drive while the lift is in operation.
Other federal mandates include such safety features as:
- Retaining barriers on the platform edge
- Threshold warning signal: If the threshold warning plate is occupied when the lift platform is below vehicle floor level, lift operation will be prevented, and visual/audible warnings alert passengers and attendants to unsafe conditions
- Handrails for security
- Interlocks to prevent accidental movement of the lift
Other features to look for:
- An automatic or electric roll stop assures the wheelchair stays in place during operation
- A threshold sensor mat inside the van to warn the user against exiting if the lift is not level with the floor of the van
- A slip-resistant platform
- Integrated manual backup system. In case of a power failure, a manual backup pump is within your reach and allows the platform to be raised and lowered manually
- A bridging mechanism that allows you to safely board the lift from sidewalks or inclines
- To control lift operations, choose between the standard hand-held control, the on-lift control or an optional remote control
Consult with an expert in mobility equipment and accessibility to find the ideal lift for your unique needs.
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.
Agor Enterprises fields many inquiries about how to get grants for wheelchair vans or other financial assistance for handicap vans. Every situation is different, but equally heartbreaking, like a recent request on Facebook:
“HOW CAN I AFFORD ONE OF THESE VANS? ... MY INDEPENDENCE IS DYING. IF I CAN'T DRIVE ANYMORE MY LIFE WILL BE OVER.”
Wheelchair vans can be expensive, and many of our customers find that they simply cannot pay for one on their own, even though they desperately need an accessible van to maintain independence. The first thing Agor Enterprises recommends is contacting a nonprofit dedicated to your specific disability, such as the MS Society, Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), or the National Spinal Cord Injury Association. We have worked closely with many of these organizations to help people with disabilities get the mobility equipment they need.
After getting in touch with a non-profit, we then recommend contacting all pertinent government entities that aid people with disabilities. For example, if you are trying to get back to work Vocational Rehabilitation is set up specifically for you regardless of income.
When all else fails, though, it may be time to roll up your sleeves and do some fundraising yourself. We have been a part of many successful fundraisers for wheelchair vans and it makes getting that much needed wheelchair lift or lowered floor minivan that much more special when hard work has gone in to getting it. Here are ten steps to a successful wheelchair van fundraiser:
1. Make sure that you really need to have a fundraiser
As we previously mentioned, non-profits and government organizations can often provide enough assistance to purchase a wheelchair van. We also offer conventional financing that you can apply for directly through our secure website. Even if you don’t think you will qualify, it never hurts to apply.
2. Emotionally prepare yourself for all the possible outcomes
Fundraising can be an emotional experience and the outcome can be uncertain. Make sure you have prepared yourself for the possibility that you will not raise enough money for the van you really want, but maybe you have raised enough for another option, such as a portable ramp or a wheelchair lift. Even those who hold successful fundraisers sometimes express a feeling of guilt over having to ask others for help. Never feel this way. There is no one on earth who has not needed help from people around them at one time or another.
3. Pick a Leader
With any large event, it is important to have clear leadership. Sponsors and attendees will need to know who the specific point of contact is. If you feel too overwhelmed to handle all of the event planning and donation solicitation, ask a close family friend or church member to be the fundraiser leader. Sometimes it helps to have someone outside the day to day struggles to bring a fresh perspective and energy to the project.
4. Have a Clear Goal
Anyone involved with your fundraiser is going to want to know what they are donating for. Have a clear goal in mind going in. Sometimes it helps to pick out a specific van you want and then make that your goal. Is your goal to raise $20,000 for a used van? If you aren’t sure what is realistic for your particular needs, contact a mobility consultant and they will be able to help clarify what is reasonable in your situation.
5. Develop a Budget
Make a list of all possible expenses you will have to pull off your fundraiser. Can you get the food and drinks donated? Is the venue going to charge rent? Remember, everything from invitations to raffle tickets have some kind of cost associated with them that you will either have to pay for or get donated. Once you have a budget, you are ready to start asking for those initial donations.
6. Decide on Your Target Audience
Who can you ask to attend your fundraiser or give donations? Is this something that everyone in the community could attend or are you going to limit it to groups and organizations related to your specific disability? This is the stage where you will start making a list of individuals and businesses to contact.
7. Plan the Event
This is probably the step that will take the most work, but can also be the most fun. Think outside of the box when putting on your wheelchair van fundraiser. There are the tried and true fundraising ideas, such as walks, cookbooks, and spaghetti dinners, but you could also do something really unique like a Wheelchair for a Day event where in addition to food, drinks, and games participants are asked to perform daily tasks while in a wheelchair. It will not only be something different for participants, but it will drive home why a wheelchair van is so important to your family.
8. Marketing
Think of all the ways to spread the word about your fundraiser. Take out an ad in your local paper, contact all the local TV and radio stations, setup a website or a Facebook page, and start papering the neighborhood with fliers. Make a video about your family’s situation and post that to your event page. Ask local businesses if you can post information in their front windows or if they will put a link to your event on their website. Agor Enterprises will even help advertise wheelchair van fundraising events on our blog in exchange for the fundraiser agreeing to get the van from us. Anyway that you can get the word out is good.
9. Check and Double Check
Before the event check and double check that everything on your to do list is complete and that everyone involved with the setup knows their jobs. This will put your mind at ease and allow you to enjoy the big day more. If you have done the hard work during the planning process, the big day should come off with very few problems. No event goes without some minor hiccups, but by being diligent beforehand those hiccups should go completely unnoticed by your attendees.
10. Say Thank You
You will probably be so overwhelmed with gratitude by the outpouring of support that you get, that you will not need to be reminded of this step. So it goes without saying that your guests and sponsors deserve a thoughtful thank you. Plus this is your opportunity to share how your family’s new wheelchair van has changed your life.
Never give up on your independence. Many wheelchair users before you have pulled off successful fundraisers and you can to!
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 have probably had your oil changed recently and the tires checked. And a tune-up is on the schedule. The wheelchair or scooter is ready to go. You are all set, right? But wait… when is the last time you had adaptive and/or accessible equipment serviced? You know, the ramp or lift, the power kneel, etc. Those need routine maintenance as well.
You should have a service inspection every six months by a qualified professional, but to keep the warranties intact, every piece of equipment requires actual maintenance at different times. All equipment needs to be inspected for damage, alignment and proper operation. Electrical wiring checks include frayed wires and loose connections. It all needs to be cleaned, adjusted and lubricated.
If you can’t find your warranty that lists the schedule for each piece of equipment, check with a mobility specialist to find out the specific warranty requirements for your equipment.
To keep equipment running smoothly, a certified professional inspects, adjusts and lubricates the following:
- Ramp or lift hinges
- Power doors
- Power kneel
- Batteries for remotes
Van equipment honey-do list:
- Keep the inside clean so leaves, debris and dust don’t inhibit the smooth operation of all adaptive equipment.
- Vacuum the bottom door track of your van every few weeks so leaves and debris don’t build up. Debris in the bottom track will cause the door motor to work harder and even weaken or burn out prematurely. Ensure drain holes are also free of debris.
Regular maintenance on the ramp or lift is critical to avoid costly repairs. Keep those dates by writing them on your calendar so you don’t forget. Your vehicle will last longer and be worth more at trade-in time.
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.
We pay taxes, yet many of us find it difficult to ask for government help with our disabilities. We need to get over that mind set, especially if we want to get a job or go back to work. That’s why each state has a Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRFS) Division or Division of Developmental Services. Such programs may help fund your adaptive equipment or wheelchair van conversion for transportation to work.
Such state financing programs can be an especially valuable wheelchair van option if you do not qualify for VA financial assistance.
Eligibility
- Those with a physical or mental impairment
- Those whose impairment constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment
- Those who can benefit in terms of an employment outcome from the provision of vocational rehabilitation services
- Those who require services to help prepare for gainful employment
Don’t think that you may be turned away due to your income or disability; it serves anyone with a disability, regardless of income. (Although some services may be provided on a sliding scale.)
And, according to requirements in the rehabilitation act, those with the most severe disabilities are served first.
Visit your local VRS office to have an eligibility assessment; when approved, you will have a specific action plan created for you. Depending on your disability and skill set, services range from transportation services, college stipends, housing coordination and other services to help achieve your personal employment goals.
Many Quality Assurance Program (QAP) mobility dealers work with VRS and other government agencies to get your van or adaptive equipment funded.
Search online to find the location of your state’s Vocational Rehabilitation Division, for example: VRS Statewide Location Map or look in your phone book.
If you’re a veteran, check with the Veterans Administration Agency, which provides assistance to qualified veterans who need to equip a vehicle with adaptive equipment.
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.
Recently, I had the opportunity to go on a tour and meet many of the employees at The Braun Corporation in Winamac Indiana. Even before my visit I knew Braun made great wheelchair vans, but being there and seeing their operation made me proud to sell Braun's great products.
Training focused on “Becoming a Mobility Expert.” Braun's program stresses that mobility consultants must focus on your needs first - only from there can we help you design a mobility system that will meet your needs. In order to provide the best solution for your individual needs, we must thoroughly understand features, benefits, limitations, and appropriate application of each BraunAbility product.
For a behind-the-scenes view of the quality and care that goes into each product, the class toured the manufacturing and vehicle assembly plants. Their factory is completly spottless, and they are orginized like no other company I have seen before.
Another highlight was the opportunity to interact with the person who started it all, Ralph Braun. His passion becomes contagious as he shares his story and personal experiences.
Without a doubt Braun makes the very best products in the industry. But what really makes the difference are their people. They take pride in every single aspect of the conversion process from start to finish. You can tell that they enjoy going to work. Braun works very hard to ensure the safety of their employees and their customers.
Take a look at their website Braunability.com and see a great story of a family owned American company.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 are a Disabled Veteran who has been injured either during service or has a non-service related injury and you are trying to receive funding for adaptive equipment such as a handicap van or to convert an existing vehicle into a wheelchair accessible van, here are some resources that may be able to assist you in your process of finding grants or basic funding for adaptive equipment.
Driver Rehabilitation (Driver Rehab)
Driver Rehabilitation is a program that can help Disabled Veterans learn to drive again. The ADED recommends an evaluation for adapted driving. If you undergo driving rehabilitation, you can be eligible to get a prescription for wheelchair van conversions and adaptive vehicle modifications that best fit your needs. Veterans can then take this vehicle prescription and more easily apply for a grant through other sources, or it can be used with the wheelchair van company to know which hand controls or mobility equipment is needed. Through the driver rehabilitation program, a disabled veteran’s vehicle can also be fitted with a variety of adaptive equipment from strategically placed mirrors, to digital steering devices for amputees. http://www.disabledveterans.org/2010/04/28/secret-key-vocational-rehabilitation/
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR&E, Chapter 31, Voc-Rehab)
Vocational Rehabilitation for Disabled Veterans and Employment (VR&E) Program, sometimes referred to as Chapter 31 or Voc-Rehab, helps disabled veterans with service-connected disabilities and employment handicaps prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. If you are needing adaptive equipment to re-enter the work force they may be able to help you with vehicle funding. For veterans with service-connected disabilities so severe that they cannot immediately consider work, Vocational Rehab (VR&E) offers services to improve Disabled Veteran’s ability to live as independently as possible. http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/
Paralyzed Veterans of America - Veterans Benefits Department
Veterans with a spinal cord injury, as well as other veterans needing assistance with understanding their VA benefits, entitlements, medical care and other benefits, often rely on Paralyzed Veterans of America’s (PVA) Veterans Benefits Department (VBD). The VBD staff can assist you with program understanding and advocacy towards getting funding for adaptive equipment. www.pva.org
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.
Public transportation has always been a great way to get from place to place. We tend to think that the bus drivers are on their best driving behavior because of all the passengers they have. However it turns out that it might not be as safe for handicapped people as one would think.
Right now the ADA does not require the use of safety restraints for wheelchair users unless other passengers are also required to wear safety belts. This means that if you are riding a public transportation bus the wheelchair must be tied down to the floor however, you do not have to be strapped in to the wheelchair. What is the point of having your chair strapped down if you are not able to secure yourself to the chair? It does not protect you in case of a sudden stop or an accident.
The ADA Accessibility Guidelines states, “Such seat belts and shoulder harnesses shall not be used in lieu of a device which secures the wheelchair or mobility aid itself.” This does not help to protect the passenger in the wheelchair seat, only the chair itself.
A study done by the University of Michigan reveals that “simply strapping a wheelchair to the floor of a bus or van wasn’t enough protection.” Then why are there not stricter rules for this?
The ADA’s response to this topic: the use of safety restraints for wheelchair users is not required unless other passengers are also required to wear safety belts. The idea is to treat passengers who use wheelchairs the same as passengers who do not use wheelchairs. I understand why this is important, but not when safety is a concern!
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.
When paralyzed veterans returning from World War II began playing wheelchair basketball at Veterans Administration hospitals, they and VA recognized sports as a valuable rehabilitation tool. Chapters of the fledgling organization that would become Paralyzed Veterans of America helped to organize games in communities around the country—and organized wheelchair sports were born. Since that time, Paralyzed Veterans of America has become a recognized national leader in wheelchair sports and recreation.
In outdoor events such as trapshooting and bass fishing or indoor events such as billiards or bowling, athletes who participate in Paralyzed Veterans-sponsored events derive therapeutic benefits on physical, emotional, and social levels. Even if you are not a veteran you still have many different places and things you can participate in. Go to http://www.wsusa.org 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.