Why Invest in Building a Wheelchair-Accessible Van?
Wheelchair-accessible vans have changed the way people with disabilities and their caregivers experience travel. At HQ Custom Design, we proudly lead in creating handicap-accessible vehicles tailored for accessibility, safety, and ease of use. For those who need mobility assistance, these vans are more than just a mode of transportation—they are a way to regain freedom. A wheelchair van transforms daily life, providing autonomy and comfort so families can enjoy more moments together.
The Benefits of Owning a Wheelchair-Accessible Van
Owning a wheelchair mobility van offers several benefits. These vehicles make it easier for individuals with mobility impairments to live freely and move without needing assistance. Here are just a few of the advantages:
- Independence: Having a wheelchair-accessible vehicle gives users the freedom to go wherever they need to go, whether it is for work, medical appointments, social events, or family vacations and road trips.
- Comfort: Features like multi-passenger seating, intuitive controls, modern entertainment systems ensure an enjoyable experience on every journey.
- Flexibility: With customizable interiors and flexible features, a wheelchair mobility van can be tailored to meet the specific needs of its user, ensuring maximum coziness and ease of use.
- Ease of Access: Grab poles, tie-downs, and lift systems make getting in and out of vehicles simple and hassle-free, allowing users to focus on enjoying their travels.
The Evolution of Wheelchair-Accessible Vans
In the past, wheelchair accessible vehicles were often basic and lacked the design elements seen in traditional luxury cars. Today, custom wheelchair vans have evolved to offer top-tier accommodations, premium seating, and the latest technology for effortless transfer in and out of the vehicle and worry-free ride. The design approach is no longer simply about meeting a user’s basic set of needs; they are about tailoring a vehicle that fits and enhances their lifestyle to freely spend life wherever with whom matters most.
This evolution in wheelchair accessible vehicles allows individuals with mobility challenges to experience the same level of convenience and comfort as anyone else. Whether traveling for leisure or work, having the right wheelchair van allows users to live life without limitations.
Why Invest in a Wheelchair-Accessible Van for Personal or Family Use?
Although public transportation options like city buses, metros, and Access-A-Ride services are cost-effective and provide door-to-door service, they are often unreliable, overcrowded, and lack adequate accessibility features. While wheelchair-accessible taxis and ride-sharing services are available on demand, they are subject to low availability, rate hikes, and are likely a short-term avenue in providing mobility transportation for wheelchair users. Unfortunately, not all public or commercial options can provide consistent flexibility, adequate safety, and practical comforts for individuals with disabilities require. Families of children or individuals with disabilities fully understand the long-term benefits of a mobility solution tailored to their needs.
Wheelchair vans are designed for personal use to meet the needs of individuals who rely on wheelchairs, scooters, or other mobility aids. These vans feature wheelchair-accessible lifts, entry grab bars and poles, and an overhead track system to make entry and exit easy. When in transit, wheelchair-accessible vans are equipped with tie-downs securements or wheelchair docking systems that safely secure the chair during travel.
Features to Look for in a Wheelchair-Accessible Van
When searching for the right wheelchair-accessible van, it is important to consider several key features. Each of these features helps improve the user experience, ensuring both comfort and ease of use:
Vehicle Chassis
Deciding on the chassis for your wheelchair-accessible van is the first step in a custom conversion. Options include the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Ford Transit, and Dodge ProMaster, which come in small, standard, or extended wheelbases. All offer the same blank canvass for customization, so consider your budget, passenger count, required space, and type of travel planned.
Wheelchair Lifts
Most wheelchair-accessible vans come with either a side-entry or rear-entry ramp or lift system that include an inboard safety roll stop, handheld controls, hydraulic power system, and threshold warning plate sensors.
BraunAbility’s Under Vehicle Lift (UVL) wheelchair lift is installed beneath the van, so it remains out of sight and out of the way when standing idle and or in motion. The UVL does not obstruct any side door windows or entryway for full visibility. In addition, an automatic door operator enables easy side loading and exit. Alternatively, a rear-entry wheelchair lift stores itself inside the van neatly when not in use and deploys from the vehicle’s trunk when operated.
Both under-vehicle side-entry and rear-entry wheelchair lift systems are reliable and can even be used in the event of an electrical failure. HQ can help you choose the best wheelchair lift based on your needs, budget, and medical requirements.
Tie-Downs and Wheelchair Securement Systems
Tie-downs and securement systems are essential for preventing rolling, tipping, sliding, or collisions of both wheelchairs and scooters when the vehicle is in motion. There are a few types of systems available:
- Tie-Downs: straps that secure the wheelchair at four points to the vehicle floor.
- Docking Systems: A station locking mechanism that secures a wheelchair in place, allowing independent use.
- Electric Lock-Down Systems: Used with power chairs for easy, quick securement.
Custom Tailored Interior
Another important feature of a wheelchair-accessible van is for a spacious, fully functional, and elegant interior to accommodate disabled passengers, caregivers, and family members. Seating options can range from coach and sofa style to motorized captain chairs, depending upon the number of passengers required. For layout, an open-concept interior is preferred for families, where the passenger and driver cabins have no separation between them. Private individuals with drivers or chauffeur services may opt for a partition wall to separate the vehicle cabins for full seclusion. The partition wall can be utilized for housing electronics and other amenities for the passenger cabin. Table options can range from full-size permanent fixtures useful for children or as changing stations to electrical aviation-style retractable ones that store out of the way when not in use.
Electronics and Entertainment
For long commuters or road trips, having a selection of entertainment options or electronics can be a must. We offer TV display options that can be installed in either the rear or driver’s side partition walls or in an overhead cabinet. Both can include front, rear speakers and subwoofer for a full surround sound system configuration. The passenger cabin can hold streaming devices, video game consoles, personal computers or workstations that can all be controlled with easy and intuitive controls.
Partnering with HQ Custom Design for Your Wheelchair-Accessible Van Needs
At HQ Custom Design, we understand that wheelchair-accessible vans are vital for individuals with disabilities and drive them to lead lives without barriers and on their terms. For over 30 years, HQ has built a vast portfolio of luxury and commercial custom conversion vans that fulfill the highest quality of excellence, innovativeness, and safety.
We specialize in crafting wheelchair-accessible vans that are customized to meet your specific needs. Whether you need a practical wheelchair van for family use or a luxury option with premium features, our team is ready to assist you.
We take pride in creating vans that offer both comfort and accessibility, ensuring that you have a vehicle that fits your lifestyle and needs perfectly. From layout to interior finishes, our team helps create a vehicle that enhances your mobility and improves your family’s quality of life.
Contact us today at 877-957-3285, email us at sales@hqcustomdesign.com, or fill out our inquiry form now!