What is a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle?
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Wheelchair accessible vehicles come in a range of sizes and shapes, and allow those individuals who are in wheelchairs to enter the vehicle and be transported during their daily routines. Some men and women may be more comfortable in manual chairs, while others will make use of electric chairs to get around. Whatever the case, it is important that the device, however it is powered, can access the automobile in a safe and relatively efficient manner.
Obviously, the most important way in which a car, truck, or van is made acceptable for wheelchairs is for a ramp to be installed. This is generally easier to do in vans, as sliding doors allow for a ready-made entrance area. Whenever a ramp is in use, another individual should always stand behind the wheelchair to guard against any mishaps. This is less of a problem with electric devices, although sudden losses of power do sometimes occur.
Beyond the ramp, some vans may alternatively be equipped with a power lift, which acts to vertically lift the chair into the interior, where it can then be properly situated. Most wheelchair passengers ride in the front of the vehicle next to the driver when the vehicle is in motion. This allows them more space, and also opens up the back end of the automobile for other passengers. A series of latches and belts are always installed as safety precautions. This is particularly important during sudden stops. The system works to prevent the chair from moving forward and hitting the dashboard, which can result in potentially serious injuries.
Beyond the most significant modifications, there may be other minor variations that distinguish an accessible vehicle from an unaltered one. For one, the gas lines and other internal wiring may be moved to another part of the car or van for security purposes. Likewise, to accommodate the sometimes quite significant weight of the wheelchair itself, reinforced beams of wood or even metal will be added to the passenger side frame to protect against degradation of the overall vehicle structure.
Ultimately, accessible vehicles vary in how they’ve been modified. Depending on the conversion procedure, the automobile in question may feature either a ramp or a lift, and may also include any number of other changes. As long as the modifications have been made by reputable professionals and properly inspected in the aftermath, safety should not be an issue.
