Handicap Vans

Handicap Vans and Van Conversions

Handicap vans are standard minivans that have been modified to accommodate people who are living with physical disabilities. Depending on the needs of the person who uses a wheelchair, many different types of modifications can be made to create a minivan that is easy to use. You can choose to do everything from lowering the van’s floor to installing removable seats to allow for wheelchair accessibility to keep wheelchairs in place to make handicap vans into the perfect vehicle for your needs.

By lowering the floor of handicap vans, you enable people who use a wheelchair to more easily enter the vehicle. Usually the lowering of the floor is done as part of the whole wheelchair conversion because lowering the floor allows a wheelchair ramp to be installed. Another way to make handicap vans accessible, particularly for passengers who use a wheelchair, is to install a ramp or a powered lift. Both features allow you to easily bring an occupied wheelchair into the van. Wheelchair ramps can be automated to fold out mechanically or slide out manually. You can also choose from a variety of different types of lifts, depending on what configuration works best with your wheelchair.

As well as ramps, handicap vans have tie downs installed to help anchor wheelchairs. These wheelchair tie downs will ensure that the passengers who use wheelchairs are secure while the van is in motion, much like a standard seat belt. Most tie downs anchor the wheelchair at four points to make them stable. There are also electronic wheelchair docking systems called EZ Lock available from wheelchair van conversion companies.

Other modifications can help to make handicap vans more accessible for passengers as well. For example, you can remove entire seating areas in order to make room for wheelchairs or other equipment when not needed for passengers. Jump seats can also be installed in most minivans to provide extra seating for individuals who don’t use wheelchairs. Transfer seats also allow individuals who use a wheelchair to drive a wheelchair van if they so choose.

Conversion companies can offer almost as many ways to modify standard vans into handicap vans as there are people who benefit from the conversions, but a good wheelchair conversion company will offer their highest quality conversions in packages so you don’t have to pick and choose. A reputable wheelchair conversion company will also offer manufacturer’s warranties on their conversions as well as the vehicle as a whole. With the help of a reputable wheelchair conversion company, you can find the right handicap vans for your needs, no matter how you need to modify the inside or outside of the vehicle.