Disability-Adapted Vehicle Manufacturers Key Terms

Learn key terms that disability-adapted vehicle manufacturers
By Adah Chung Disability-adapted vehicle manufacturers provide various adaptations to vehicles for persons with disabilities. Wheelchair users have options for being passengers or drivers in vehicles, and disability-adapted vehicle manufacturers can aid in providing different types of lifts and steering controls for a selection of different types of vans. Among such adaptations are wheelchair lifts, ramps and tie-downs. Other possibilities involve buying special vehicles or converting existing ones. Manufacturers work together with the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association to certify technicians.
 

Wheelchair tie-downs

Wheelchair tie-downs are restraint systems to help secure a wheelchair in a vehicle. It is an anchor system on the floor of the vehicle and uses heavy straps to tether the wheelchair base to the vehicle.
Try: Mobility-Advisor.com has an article that discusses wheelchair tie-downs, while HDS Specialty Vehicles provides examples of tie-downs.

Lowered floor minivans

Lowered floor minivans serve two purposes: they can increase the height of the interior of your minivan, to allow higher wheelchairs or scooters to fit, and they allow for easier access to get in and out of the car.
Try: Accessible Vans & Mobility describes lowered floor minivans as well as provides some examples of them.

Wheelchair lifts

Wheelchair lifts are additions to vehicles that allow wheelchairs the ability to access the car. They are motorized lifts that are folded into the car for easy access each time a wheelchair user gets in and out of the car.
Try: BraunAbility has examples of wheelchair lifts for vehicles.

Wheelchair ramps

A less expensive alternative to wheelchair lifts, wheelchair ramps for vans offer portability for wheelchair or scooter access. They can be used for any kind of entry (rear or side) and are removable as opposed to being permanently installed.
Try: Discount Ramps has photos of a variety of wheelchair ramps for vans.

Wheelchair van conversions

As an alternative to purchasing a wheelchair accessible van, vans can be converted and retrofitted with wheelchair access, such as lowered floors and wheelchair lifts or ramps. These are generally a more cost effective choice for disability-adapted vehicles.
Try: Mobility-Advisor.com discusses options for wheelchair van conversions.

National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association

The National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association provides a quality assurance program in which disability-adapted vehicle manufacturers adhere to industry guidelines for vehicle modifications. Requirements for certification with this designation are carrying insurance, certified technicians working for the manufacturer, detailed record-keeping and annual audits.
Try: National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association provides more detailed information for purchasing adaptive vehicles as well as safety and compliance.