Handicapped vans have become the single most popular method of transportation for the physically disabled. Whether a lowered floor minivan or a full-size van with a handicap lift, handicapped vans are simple, safe, and convenient.

However, a large percentage of wheelchair van buyers are first time buyers. In other words, they are buying an expensive piece of handicapped equipment without much prior knowledge or experience.

Often disabled people and their families turn to the internet for education and information, as the internet has opened a whole new world of possibilities in all aspects of everyday life. There are also a substantial number of mobility van dealers spread in almost every medium-sized city in America, including Louisville, Kentucky. Many of these Kentucky handicapped van dealers have inventories available for a test drive. A local mobility van dealer can also go over the positive and negative aspects of each different type of handicapped van.

Selecting a mobility vehicle can be a hassle for many people, but it really should be as simple as buying a new pair of shoes. The first thing to consider is the fit.

The Mobility Consultant will need the height of the person in their wheelchair. Not how tall they are standing, but how tall they sit in their wheelchair. This number indicates what size door height and ceiling dimensions are needed. To acquire this number, stand behind the wheelchair, taking a tape measure from the floor to the top of the head. With the height figured, the fit into the mobility van can be determined.

The next thing you need to consider is width and where you want to sit in the mobility van: front right, mid-section, or as a driver. It should be noted that drivers will need extra equipment such as a docking device for the wheelchair and hand controls or a transfer seat with hand controls.

After the fit, there are several other things to consider when buying a mobility van:

• Will the person be an independent driver?
• Will they have a caregiver?
• Do they want access to the front passenger seating position?
• Can they transfer/do they want to?

These questions will help you determine the style of the mobility van and its options for automated door openings or manual operation.

This question was on a local Mobility Vans blog.

Question from Reader:  Why is it so imprtant to buy from a local mobility dealer instead of buying on the internet from a place not close to my home?

Answer from Superior Louisville:  Service is the number one issue!  If you buy off the internet, where will you go if you have a service need?  With a major purchase like a mobility van, it is important to have certified technicians and staff ready and qualified to answer your questions — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year - face to face.  No sitting on hold on the phone or waiting to schedule an appointment.    Internet sellers cannot deliver on service or on price most instances!

For vehicle access ramps there are two main types, portable (remove manually) and ramps that are installed within the vehicle for convenience.

Portable: A portable ramp requires manual construction. This means the ramp must be set up and taken down before and after entry and exit.

Installed ramp: There are several types of ramps that can be installed to vehicles. With installed ramps the requirements are less strenuous. Most have a lever or a button that can be pushed to initiate the movement.

When most people see this sign they know the parking space, bathroom, counter, or workstation is for someone in a wheelchair.  But something strange has developed with the use of these signs…a parking lot may be handicapped accessible but not the building.  The building may not have countertops, workstations, bathrooms, hallways, elevators, brail, lowered telephones and phone books, ramps, door ways, etc that are accessible to all people.  It may be worth a call ahead if you aren’t sure about a building you are going to visit.  While it is a code requirement that these public places meet certain standards, often with older buildings, or smaller (but important) details like phone height, the buildings just aren’t up to code.  The good news is, each new building is built with the needs of everyone in mind!

These resources were copied from: http://www.adamobility.com/resources_dealeroffers.asp and are used by permission.

However, converted wheelchair vans are not like regular cars. As the body has been changed and there is a lot of electronic equipment inside, there is much more to go wrong and if it does go wrong it is much more convenient to discuss the problem with someone nearby rather than someone located far away. A local dealer will probably be much more responsive to your needs than someone on the other side of the country, since the dissatisfied buyer who is located in town will have a bigger impact on a dealer’s reputation than someone thousands of miles away. No matter where your dealer is located, consider choosing an NMEDA QAP accredited (National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association Quality Assurance Program) dealer. NMEDA QAP accreditation means:

• They are required to maintain four types of insurance for liability purposes.
• They need to have certified welders on hand if they perform any type of structural modifications to vehicles.
• These dealers are required to have their technicians certified in the equipment they sell, install and service.
• They must keep records of all adaptive work.
• They are required to undergo an inspection/audit process at least annually by an independent engineering firm to ensure compliance to the NMEDA Guidelines and the requirements listed above.

There are currently three types of accreditation:

• Mobility Equipment Installer
• Structural Vehicle Modifier
• High Tech Driving System Installer

Make sure your dealer is not only accredited by NMEDA, but accredited to do the kind of work you need to have done on your vehicle. NMEDA has a database of accredited dealers on its websites.

If you do buy via the internet from a dealer:

• Request references and check them.
• Make sure to request a certificate of product liability insurance, in case the vehicle fails resulting in bodily injury.
• Confirm in writing that the specific vehicle you are purchasing can and will have local warranty service at a specific location and make sure that location is certified to make repairs and modifications.