Handicap Accessible Car (Part 2) |
The passage of laws for the disabled and handicapped was intended to remove any discrimination against them and to provide complete access to office buildings, public transportation, and so on which may pose difficulty to those with special conditions. However, it is not the same with private transportation. Wheelchair accessible vehicles aren't exactly in commercial production at the moment which makes handicap transportation somewhat challenging.
The majority of handicap accessible cars on the market are either used vans that have undergone conversions or commercially available units endorsed as a conversion by the manufacturer. An example is the case of the Toyota Scion and Sienna models which fall under the company's mobility program. Among the many mobility vehicle conversion manufacturers, only the Braun Corporation received an authority and an endorsement from Toyota Motor Sales. Therefore, the most common solution therefore is to convert your own van into a handicap accessible vehicle.
Step 1: Identify Who Will be Using The Car
Conversion of used vans into wheelchair adaptive vehicles usually falls into two types - either the driver or passender is handicapped. This information is important because each type has a different configuration for the conversion process.A. The Driver is Handicapped In this case, some portions of the floor are adjusted so that it becomes lower. Wheelchair access is likewise made possible by reconfiguring or modifying the default seating arrangement. External access to the vehicle like a lift, turning seat, or ramp is considered to allow the driver to enter the vehicle with ease. The additional weight from the conversion as well as that from the power chair is compensated by stiffening the suspension system of the vehicle. There is likewise a possibility of rearranging the position of the gas tank, including the fuel lines, to make way for possible additions to the electrical system and the modifications to the flooring of the van.
B. The Passenger is Handicapped When the handicapped individual is a passenger, the floor is reinforced instead of being lowered. This is to allow an additional support for the added seats as well as the hoist or ramp that will be installed. Wheelchair securities are added to the configuration of the vehicle. Additional windows may be installed depending on the position of the handicapped person inside the vehicle and the finishing of the van will be readjusted.
Step 2: Decide On The Manner Of Entry
You can choose between a rear-entry and a side-entry configuration. How the entry is positioned will dictate the wheelchair position, seating options, parking options, storage availability, and the number of passengers that can be accommodated. It is important to note that almost 75% of modified for wheelchair access vans use the side-entry design.A. Rear-Entry Design This design strictly applies where the handicapped person is only a passenger. It presents the advantage of not requiring an additional room, since a foldable ramp is used in the vehicle. The installation of the middle passenger seat next to the wheelchair position is also possible. Additional room for legs and ground clearance is gained from this configuration. However, it negatively impacts the available storage space of the van.
B. Side-Entry Design This entry point allows the handicapped person to drive the vehicle from the wheelchair, or equally to ride as a front passenger. Curbside entry and exit are also easier with this design. The additional storage space gained will allow more baggage especially during long trips. Nevertheless, this particular design needs access to handicap parking and wider driveways for vehicle parking.
Step 3: Deciding On The Type Of Access
There are three common types of access used in handicap vehicle conversion, ramp, platform lifts, and so on. Before deciding on which of these to use, it is important to look into the specific needs of the handicap.A. Ramp Access This type of access is commonly found in minivans like the Dodge Grand Caravan, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town & Country, and Toyota Sienna. It allows the wheelchair user to access a van by lowering the floor up to one foot for side-entry designs. On rear-entry designs, the floor is replaced with steel or composite tub. Ramps can be automatic or manual and can either be in-floor or fold-up. Fold-up ramps have lower angles but get in the way of the passenger entrance during storage. In terms of price, manual ramps definitely cost less, however, the corresponding difference in price translates to added benefits. Powered or automatic wheelchair ramps are convenient and easy to use and may come with features to reduce the ramp angle through vehicle suspension compression technology.
B. Platform Lift Underbody, double-arm, mono-arm, these are different types of lifts that are commonly used for wheelchair accessible vehicles. These can be raised and lowered from within the vehicle towards the ground. This type of access is normally best for larger vehicles like minibuses or public transport buses. These types of lifts can easily handle heavier electric wheelchairs with an equally large occupant. Sometimes the total capacity of these lifts can exceed 300 kilograms. Only the mono-arm lift can be fitted in smaller vehicles because it has a reduced size and is relatively lighter. It also provides the driver with a better view of the traffic at the back and neither does it get in the way of side-entry designs.
C. Other Forms of Access Aside from ramp and platform lifts, another commonly used access method that allows the disabled to access the adaptive mobility systems vehicle is a crane combined with a rotating seat that can be lowered to the ground. Transfer seat technology is another form of access. It makes use of a track to move back either the driver or passenger seat allowing the handicap to transfer to the original position.
After these important installations, you can then decide whether to use manual air conditioned power, power steering, central locking, tinted windows, and other add-on features. You must also take into consideration whether your insurance provider will cover the installations you have made to your vehicle. Some of the installations may be easy, others a bit more complicated. Last but not least, it is certain that you will not have access to your vehicle for a considerable amount of time, so you must decide on when you want the conversion to begin and seek for a back up traveling vehicle during the conversion process.
