When you or someone close to you begin to have mobility issues, it can be difficult to know how to adapt the things in their life to allow them to get around normally. All sorts of changes and modifications will need to be made and a new lifestyle is not something that one can so quickly get used to. However, that doesn’t mean that quality of life should be reduced and the things you used to enjoy should be off-limits.
Cars, in particular, can be a nightmare for wheelchair users. There are a lot of decisions that have to make and questions they need to address, but there are still options and making your car wheelchair accessible is not impossible.
Does your car need to be modified?
Not everyone with mobility issues needs to have their vehicle modified for them to use it. Everyone’s requirements are different and depending on how much money you have available, the type of vehicle you own and how severely your mobility has been impaired, you will need to make some tough decisions about how you can make your car more accessible. Consider the modifications you may or may not need carefully in order to get a good picture of the type of vehicle you need to look for and how much it might cost. There’s no need to go overboard or pay for what you don’t need if you can work with what you already have.
Can your car be modified?
Certain cars can be converted to improve accessibility, specifically for wheelchair users and many companies can modify your car to. There can be some great benefits to modifying your own vehicle to make it easier to access, including cost, safety, and comfort, so don’t neglect to consider this as an option. Depending on the size of your car, its equipment, and your requirements, you can have a range of adaptations made to improve its accessibility as well as its usability. This includes a range of storage options, remote controlled doors and trunk, seat conversions and a range of options for easier wheelchair access. This means that you can stick with the car you love and even make it better than it was before.
Do you need a new WAV?
Not all cars were made to accommodate wheelchairs. A mini cooper, for example, is not going to fit a wheelchair unless you remove all of the seats and floors. In that case, you may need to purchase a new wheelchair accessible vehicle. Many wheelchair access vehicles have a range of modifications to allow ease of access for passengers with wheelchairs. This includes ramps that allow passengers to easily enter and exit the vehicle without having to get out of their wheelchair and drivers to use their chair in place of a drivers’ seat. Other vehicles have lowered floors and foldable seats to allow wheelchair users to sit in the vehicle comfortably rather than sit in the back of the car. Make sure to shop around if you are thinking of buying a WAV and talk to an expert to ensure that the car you’re looking to buy meets your needs.