| Traditionally, mobility has been a challenge for | | | | persons seated within a wheelchair. This ensures that |
| handicapped people. While mobility aids have certainly | | | | people within a wheelchair have a direct line of sight |
| been developed - wheelchairs, mobility scooters, etc. - | | | | out of the windows of the vehicle. Another change |
| it can be hard for a person with physical handicaps to | | | | required in a wheelchair accessible van is a |
| feel a sense of independence and the sense | | | | modification to the driver and passenger front seats. |
| adventure that comes from being a road warrior, | | | | The mounting systems for these two seats are |
| exploring new places and seeing new things. However, | | | | usually changed so that the chairs (and their underlying |
| that is beginning to change thanks to advances in | | | | supports) are removable. This ensures that the |
| handicap transportation options. | | | | handicapped person can ride comfortably in either the |
| A Wider Selection of Handicap Accessible Vehicles Is | | | | passenger or the driver position. Wheelchair tie-down |
| Improving Mobility | | | | securement systems are also installed at this time, |
| What is the driving force behind the change in the | | | | allowing the wheelchair to be secured to the vehicle's |
| world of physical handicaps? A wider range of | | | | floor. This offers significant safety enhancement, and |
| handicap vehicles is now becoming available. Usually, | | | | ensures that wheelchairs are not left free, which can |
| these are full-size conversion vans, though you will also | | | | be a very dangerous situation even during normal |
| find handicap accessible minivans with conversion kits | | | | driving conditions. |
| that offer many mobility benefits. How do these | | | | Other modifications are made to these vehicles as |
| vehicles benefit people with physical handicaps? What | | | | well. For instance, a mobility scooter lift is often installed |
| makes a handicap accessible vehicle a good | | | | at the side door, which ensures that any scooter can |
| purchase? Actually, a lot goes into creating a handicap | | | | be easily loaded and unloaded. Other modifications are |
| van, if it is to truly offer independence, mobility and the | | | | made to the steering wheel and/or the pedal |
| hope of adding a bit of zest to life. | | | | configuration, allowing handicapped people the ability to |
| What Is Involved In Making a Van Handicap | | | | drive their own vehicle. |
| Accessible? | | | | The Road To Freedom For Handicapped People |
| Height and depth are often the first changes made to | | | | Taken together, these adaptive changes ensure that |
| a van destined to become a handicap vehicle. The | | | | those with physical disabilities are able to gain |
| floor needs to be lowered by a considerable amount, | | | | independence and a greater sense of freedom. In |
| in order to ensure that wheelchair ramps can be | | | | short, adaptive, wheelchair accessible vehicles offer a |
| installed with the lowest possible angle for ingress and | | | | renewed sense of adventure and a heightened quality |
| egress. The ceiling must also be raised to | | | | of life for people with handicaps. |
| accommodate the greater height of handicapped | | | | |