Wheelchair accessible vehicles such as mobility minivans are an amazing way to increase the independence and freedom to those living with a disability.
Doing the research to find a minivan that best suits you or your loved one’s impairments, though, is a lot of work.
After making your purchase, you will want to make sure that safety always remains your top priority. Equipment associated with wheelchair transportation can often seem complicated. Learning about transfer seats, proper use and maintenance of equipment, and tie downs will help ensure that you and your loved ones are traveling safely and securely.
Mobility Van Safety Ratings
As you know, your mobility van is carrying precious cargo! Making sure that the minivan or conversion van you pick out has earned high safety ratings is important. Minivans such as the Honda Odyssey, Dodge Caravan and Toyota Sienna all come with top safety marks.
Full-sized conversion vans are usually extremely safe due to their size and weight.
Wheelchair Transferring
Transfer seats are specifically designed to help a person with a disability transfer from their wheelchair or scooter into a vehicle’s driver or passenger seat. This gives the person an alternative to remaining seated in their wheelchair while headed to their destination.
There are many different types of transfer seats. Many are electronic and allow you to move the seat up, down, forward and backward.
Restraints, Tie Downs & Seat Belts for Passengers with Disabilities
Not everyone will have the ability to use a transfer seat. In such cases, occupant restraints and wheelchair “tie downs” will be necessary. There are three types of wheelchair restraints or tie downs: manual, automatic and occupant.
Find out more information about safety restraints by reading our blog: Wheelchair and Safety Restraints.
Always make sure that seatbelts are in proper working order prior to any ride.
Your Safety & Comfort Matters to Us!
For those living with a disability or impairment, wheelchair vehicles have so much to offer. To make sure you find a safe mobility minivan, you can count on us!
For thirty years, Classic Vans has been supplying the Bay Area with new and used conversion vans, motorhomes and mobility vehicles. Call (866) 377-8222 and ask about low cost nationwide van delivery.