Tips on Buying Your First Wheelchair Van
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.