FULL SIZE VANS: THERE IS LITTLE DIFFERENCE IN THE
BIG THREE VAN MANUFACTURERS;
FORD, DODGE, GENERAL
MOTORS PRODUCTS AS FAR AS INSTALLATION OF MOST ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT.
HAND CONTROLS, WHEELCHAIR OR SCOOTER LIFTS, WHEELCHAIR TIEDOWNS, AND DOOR
OPERATORS CAN BE INSTALLED IN ANY OF THE THREE. THE BRAND OF THE VAN IS
CUSTOMER CHOICE. ON ANY BRAND WE RECOMMEND THE LONG WHEELBASE VAN WITH
SWING SIDE DOORS.
SOME SPECIFIC BRANDS ARE BETTER FOR MORE ELABORATE MODIFICATIONS. WE ARE
ONLY DOING THE DROP FLOOR MODIFICATION ON THE FORD CHASSIS, AT THIS TIME
AND IT SHOULD BE DONE PRIOR TO THE CONVERSION.
RAISED DOORS AND DOOR OPERATORS WORK BETTER ON THE FORD, OLDER G.M. OR
DODGE CHASSIS. THE NEWER CHEVROLET DOORS ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE, THE HINGES
ARE WELDED TO THE DOORS AND TO THE DOOR POSTS. THE ADDITIONAL WEIGHT OF
THE RAISED DOORS AND/OR DOOR OPERATORS MAY CAUSE SAGS WHICH CANNOT BE CORRECTED.
MINI-VANS: THE MINIVANS OF THE BIG THREE ARE VERY USEFUL IN A NUMBER OF
ADAPTIVE MODIFICATIONS. AS A GENERAL RULE THE CHRYSLER LINE, THE FORD AEROSTAR
AND THE CHEVROLET ASTRO ARE ADAPTABLE TO WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THERE ARE LIMITATIONS
RELATED TO THE SIZE OF THE WHEELCHAIR AND PERSON. THEY ARE MOST USEFUL
FOR TRANSPORTING CHILDREN OR SMALL ADULTS. LIMITATIONS EXIST IN THE DOOR
WIDTH, LIMITING THE WHEELCHAIR TO OVERALL WIDTH OF ABOUT 25 INCHES, AND
DOOR HEIGHT, LIMITING THE PERSONS SEATED HEIGHT TO ABOUT 44 INCHES. THE
GENERAL MOTORS LINE (LUMINA AND TRANSPORTER) ARE TOO SMALL TO UTILIZE A
WHEELCHAIR LIFT.
FOR TRANSPORT OF A SCOOTER OR WHEELCHAIR THE MINIVANS WORK VERY WELL, WITH
ANY ONE OF SEVERAL LIFTS TO PLACE THE SCOOTER/WHEELCHAIR IN THE REAR DOOR,
OR IN SOME CASES THE SIDE DOOR.
VANS ARE AVAILABLE AS PASSENGER VANS WITH FACTORY FINISHED INTERIOR, SEATING,
REAR AIR ETC, OR AS CONVERSION VANS WITH A CONVERSION COMPANY DOING THE
INTERIOR AND CUSTOM PAINT JOBS ON THE EXTERIOR. THE CONVERSION VANS USUALLY
INCLUDE A RAISED ROOF WHICH GIVES A GREAT DEAL MORE HEAD ROOM INSIDE. THE
RAISED ROOF IS RECOMMENDED ON CONVERSION VANS. IN SOME SITUATIONS IT IS
BETTER TO DO THE HANDICAP MODIFICATIONS PRIOR TO CONVERSION, SPECIFICALLY
IN THE CASE OF RAISED DOORS OR DROPPED FLOORS.
SEVERAL COMPANIES MANUFACTURE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FOR VANS. THERE ARE MANY
MODELS FROM EACH MANUFACTURER. THE MAJOR COMPANIES ARE RICON, AND
BRAUN. SEE OUR PRODUCTS PAGE FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE LIFTS.
BRAUN MANUFACTURERS THE VANGATER LINE, FEATURING THE "FOLD-IN-HALF"
PLATFORM AND THE POWER TRI-FOLD PLATFORM. THESE LIFTS GIVE A GREAT DEAL
MORE ROOM IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT DUE TO BEING SINGLE POST DESIGN. THE
SEAT CAN BE RECLINED WHEN THE LIFT IS FOLDED BACK. YOU CAN ALSO USE A POWER
TRANSFER SEAT FOR THE RIGHT FRONT WHICH ALLOWS THE WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT
TO SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE FOLDED BACK PLATFORM ALSO ALLOWS ABLE
BODIED PEOPLE TO ENTER AND EXIT THE VAN WITHOUT HAVING TO LET THE LIFT
DOWN TO GROUND LEVEL. THE VANGATER IS AVAILABLE FOR MINI-VAN SIDE DOOR
MOUNTING ALSO.
RICON BUILDS A LINE OF LIFTS THAT MOUNT
IN SIDE OR REAR DOOR OF FULL SIZE AND MINI-VANS. THEY ARE HYDRAULIC OPERATED,
TWO POST DESIGN. FOR COMMERICAL USE THEY HAVE AN ADA VERSION. THE S-1231
HAS A UNIQUE PLATFORM THAT AUTOMATICALLY FOLDS OPEN WHEN THE LIFT IS STOWED,
GIVING ACCESS TO ABLE BODIED INDIVIDUALS.
ALL HAND CONTROLS REQUIRE THE VEHICLE TO HAVE AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION,
POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. THE HAND CONTROL ALLOWS OPERATION OF THE
BRAKE AND GAS BY HAND. ONE HAND STEERS, THE OTHER OPERATES THE HAND CONTROL.
THE MOST POPULAR ARE THE RIGHT ANGLE OPERATION, WITH BRAKE BEING APPLIED
BY PUSHING THE CONTROL TOWARD THE BRAKE, THE GAS IS INCREASED BY PULLING
THE CONTROL DOWN TOWARD THE LAP. THESE UNITS ARE VERY EASY TO LEARN TO
OPERATE AND PROVIDE SAFE AND NON-TIRING OPERATION.
THERE ARE ALSO UNITS UTLIZING THE PUSH-PULL MODE OF OPERATION. THE BRAKE
IS THE SAME AS ABOVE BUT THE GAS IS APPLIED BY PULLING UP ON THE CONTROL.
ALSO AVAILABLE IS A UNIT WITH A TWIST GRIP FOR APPLYING THE GAS. THESE
UNITS ARE NOT AS COMFORTABLE TO USE AS THE RIGHT ANGLE UNITS.
IN SITUATIONS WHERE THE CLIENT DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICENT UPPER BODY STRENGTH
TO OPERATE THE STEERING AND BRAKING FUNCTIONS THERE ARE METHODS TO REDUCE
THE AMOUNT OF EFFORT TO DO THESE FUNCTIONS. THE LOW EFFORT (DOWN TO VIRTUALLY
ZERO) STEERING REQUIRES A MODIFICATION TO THE FACTORY POWER STEERING AND
REQUIRES A BACKUP SYSTEM TO TAKE OVER IN EVENT OF NORMAL POWER STEERING
SYSTEM FAILURE. THE LOW EFFORT BRAKES DO THE SAME VIA MODIFICATION OF THE
FACTORY POWER BRAKE SYSTEM.
POWER SEAT BASES: POWER SEAT BASES ARE A METHOD TO MAKE TRANSFER TO THE
DRIVER OF PASSENGER SEAT EASIER. THIS CONSISTS OF A BASE UNIT WHICH SLIDES
BACK FROM ITS NORMAL POSITION, ROTATES AROUND TO BE PARALLEL TO THE WHEELCHAIR,
AND RAISES UP TO ALLOW A LATERAL SLIDE TRANSFER TO OR FROM THE WHEELCHAIR.
THE UNIT USES THE SEAT THAT COMES WITH THE VAN. THE UNIT FOR THE PASSENGER
ALLOWS THE USER TO SIT IN THE NORMAL PASSENGER SEAT POSITION AND AT THE
CORRECT HEIGHT TO HAVE A NORMAL VIEW OF THE ROAD.
METHODS OF SECURING THE WHEELCHAIR WITHIN THE VAN INCLUDE THE FOUR POINT
TIEDOWN (STRAPS), THE CAM-LOCK REAR WHEEL SEMI-AUTOMATIC, AND E-Z LOCK
ELECTRIC SYSTEM.
THE FOUR POINT TIEDOWN SYSTEM PROVIDES THE GREATEST AMOUNT OF STABILITY
IN THAT IT HAS FOUR STRAPS ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE FLOOR. THE STRAPS ARE
THEN CONNECTED TO THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE WHEELCHAIR AND SECURED. THIS
PROVIDES A VERY SECURE AND STABLE ATTACHMENT. DISADVANTAGES ARE THAT THEY
TAKE MORE TIME TO ATTACH THAN OTHER METHODS, REQUIRING AN AIDE OR ASSISTANT
TO ATTACH THE STRAPS. THIS METHOD IS REQUIRED ON "ADA" TRANSPORTER VANS.
THE CAM-LOCK SYSTEM IS VERY EASY TO OPERATE, JUST ROLL THE WHEELCHAIR INTO
THE BRACKETS AND IT AUTOMATICALLY LOCKS AROUND THE REAR WHEELS. TO RELEASE
THE CHAIR A LEVER ON EACH SIDE MUST BE PUSHED DOWN, THEN THE CHAIR IS ROLLED
OUT OF THE BRACKETS. THERE WILL BE SOME MOVEMENT OF THE CHAIR WHILE SECURED
BUT IT WILL BE LIMITED. THE CAMLOCK SYSTEM IS RECOMMENDED ONLY
FOR NON-OCCUPIED CHAIRS.
THE E-Z LOCK SYSTEM IS AN ALL ELECTRIC CRASH TESTED UNIT. IT CONSISTS OF
A FLOOR MOUNTED BOX WITH THE SECUREMENT DEVICE BUILT INTO IT. THE BOX IS
SMALL, ABOUT 7" LONG, 6" WIDE AND ABOUT 1 1/2" HIGH. THE WHEELCHAIR HAS
A BRACKET MOUNTED ON THE LOWER FRAME WITH A "FIFTH-WHEEL" TYPE PIN PROTRUDING
DOWN. ROLLING THE WHEELCHAIR OVER THE BOX CAUSES THE PIN TO BE SECURED
IN THE BOX. TO RELEASE THE WHEELCHAIR JUST PUSH A BUTTON MOUNTED NEARBY
AND ROLL OUT. IT CAN BE SET UP TO ENTER GOING FORWARD (NECESSARY FOR WHEELCHAIR
DRIVING) OR BACKING IN (MOST TRANSPORTERS). THERE IS A BRACKET MOUNTED
ON THE WHEELCHAIR THAT MAKES IT A RIGID FRAME UNIT, SO YOU CAN NO LONGER
FOLD THE CHAIR UP. THE EZ LOCK IS THE EASIEST TO USE TIE DOWN WE SELL.
ALL SECUREMENT SYSTEMS REQUIRE A MINIMUM OF A LAP BELT SECURED TO THE FLOOR
OF THE VEHICLE, "ADA" UNITS REQUIRE A SHOULDER HARNESS AS WELL.
WHEN IT IS NECESSARY TO TRANSPORT A WHEELCHAIR OR SCOOTER THERE ARE A NUMBER
OF OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO EASE THE LIFTING PROBLEM. THE MOST POPULAR ARE
FOR MINI-VAN/SPORTS UTILITY/PICKUP TRUCK LIFTS, SUCH AS THE BRUNO
LINE. THESE UNITS PICK UP THE COMPLETELY ASSEMBLED SCOOTER/WHEELCHAIR AND
REQUIRE A MINIMUM OF DEXTERITY TO OPERATE.
THERE ARE ALSO TRUNK LIFTS WHICH CAN LIFT A MANUAL WHEELCHAIR OR PARTIALLY
DIS-ASSEMBLED SCOOTER INTO THE TRUNK OF LARGER VEHICLES. THEY REQUIRE A
FAIR DEGREE OF DEXTERITY TO OPERATE. THEY ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR LARGE SCOOTERS
OR POWER WHEELCHAIRS.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF REAR MOUNT EXTERIOR LIFTS AVAILABLE FOR SCOOTER AND
POWER WHEELCHAIRS. THEY REQUIRE A "CLASS III" TRAILER HITCH WITH 2" RECEIVER
FOR MOUNTING. THEY ARE VERY EASY TO USE AND FOR SCOOTERS COME WITH AN AUTOMATIC
LOCKDOWN. WHEELCHAIRS REQUIRE STRAP TIEDOWN. THESE ARE GENERALLY LIMITED
TO LARGER REAR WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES DUE TO THE AVAILABLITY OF THE CLASS
III HITCH. AIR SHOCKS MAY BE REQUIRED ON SOME VEHICLES DUE TO THE INCREASED
WEIGHT OF THE LIFT AND SCOOTER.
MEANS OF ASSISTING A HANDICAPPED PERSON TO GO UP/DOWN STAIRS COME IN MANY
TYPES AND VARIOUS CONFIGURATIONS. THE MOST POPULAR IS THE "STAIR-GLIDE"
TYPE AND THE VERTICAL WHEELCHAIR LIFT.
THE STAIR-GLIDE METHOD UTILIZES A SEAT MOUNTED ON A CARRIAGE. THE CARRIAGE
RUNS ON A TRACK. THE USER TRANSFERS TO THE SEAT, PUSHES A SEAT MOUNTED
BUTTON AND ASSCENDS THE STAIRS. THERE ARE ALSO REMOTE CONTROL UNITS TO
BRING THE SEAT TO THE PROPER LEVEL AS REQUIRED. POPULAR UNITS INCLUDE THE
BRUNO ELECTRA-LIFT, (LINK ON HOME PAGE) A BATTERY OPERATED UNIT WHICH HAS
A BUILT-IN CHARGER. THE BATTERY OPERATION ALLOWS USAGE WHEN THERE IS A
POWER FAILURE. INSTALLATION IS FAIRLY SIMPLE IN HOUSES WHERE THERE IS A
STRAIGHT RUN OF STAIRS, NO PLATFORMS OR TURNS.
THE VERTICAL WHEELCHAIR LIFT IS A MINITURE ELEVATOR, ALSO REFERED TO AS
A PORCH LIFT. WE HANDLE THE "MAC'S LIFT GATE UNITS. THEY ARE SUITABLE FOR
EITHER INDOOR OR OUTDOOR USE. GENERAL GUIDELINES INCLUDE A HEIGHT LIMIT
OF ABOUT SIX FEET. BEYOND THAT THE UNITS BECOME VERY COMPLEX AND EXPENSIVE.
PLEASE NOTE THESE UNITS ARE REGULATED BY THE GEORGIA DEPT OF LABOR, THEY
REQUIRE A LICENSED INSTALLER, A PERMIT, AND INSTALLATION INSPECTION BY
THE DOL UPON COMPLETION. COMMERCIAL INSTALLATIONS REQUIRE ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS
AND REGULATION. WE DO NOT DO COMMERCIAL UNITS AT THIS TIME.
THE LIST OF POSSIBLE MOBILITY AIDS IS VIRTUALLY ENDLESS. WHATEVER THE PROBLEM
THERE IS PROBABLY A SOLUTION.
FOR THOSE CONCERNED ABOUT SITTING TO CLOSE TO THE AIR BAG WE HAVE PEDAL
EXTENSIONS. THESE ADD ABOUT TWO INCHES TO THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDAL,
ALLOWING THE DRIVER TO MOVE THE SEAT BACK TO A SAFER DISTANCE FROM THE
AIR BAG.
STEERING KNOBS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO MUST STEER WITH ONE HAND. THESE
KNOBS ARE STRAPPED TO THE STEERING WHEEL, AND ARE EASILY REMOVEABLE FOR
THOSE WHO DON'T NEED THEM.
LEFT FOOT GAS PEDALS ARE USEFUL WHEN THE PERSON HAS LIMITED CONTROL OF
THE RIGHT FOOT. THIS PEDAL MOUNTS TO THE LEFT OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ALLOWS
THE LEFT FOOT TO CONTROL THE GAS PEDAL. ONE MODEL IS A "QUICK RELEASE"
VERSION WHICH ALLOWS RAPID REMOVAL FOR NON-HANDICAPPED DRIVERS. THE OTHER
FOLDS BACK AND LAYS RELATIVELY FLAT ON THE FLOOR.
THESE ARE OUR GENERAL THOUGHTS ON THE ABOVE SUBJECTS. WE WELCOME YOUR COMMENTS,
EITHER FROM OTHER ADAPTIVE DEALERS OR END USERS. E MAIL US YOUR THOUGHTS
ON THESE OR OTHER ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT.