To make a car wheelchair accessible, install ramps/lifts, lower the floor, secure wheelchair restraints, and make any other necessary adaptations, such as to driver controls. Seeking advice from professionals may help.
Some wheelchair users need vehicles that meet their personal needs. This isn’t just a matter of convenience; it is also essential to their independence and quality of life.
In this post, I’ll talk about how to make a car wheelchair accessible. Read on to learn more about what you need to do, and what you need to have to make a wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV).
Whether you’re a caregiver looking for ways to help a loved one or a wheelchair user looking for better ways to get around, I’ll show you how to transform a standard vehicle into a customized, accessible WAV. Without further ado, let’s get into it.
How to make a car wheelchair accessible
Converting a car to be wheelchair accessible can involve several modifications depending on your individual needs and the type of car you have. Here are some tips to follow.
Choose the right vehicle – It’s best to choose a car that’s easier to make wheelchair accessible. Minivans are popular because they have plenty of space inside.
Put in a wheelchair ramp or lift – This is one of the first adaptations you’ll need to make. You can choose between a ramp and a lift based on what you prefer and what best fits the design of your car or van. Ramps can be either manual, hydraulic, or automatic and can be placed at the side or in the back of your vehicle.
Lower the floor of the van or car – Lowering the floor of your car or van creates more headroom for the person in the wheelchair and makes it easier to get in and out of the vehicle. You may also need to alter the suspension and some of the other structural components of your car or van.
Put in a wheelchair restraint system – This is to make sure the wheelchair is secure when you’re traveling somewhere. These can include either manual or automatic systems to secure it and any docking systems you might use.
Adapt driver controls if needed – If the wheelchair user will be driving, you may need to adapt the vehicle’s controls to suit their needs. This could involve things like installing a lever for acceleration and braking — with a signal switch you can flick the indicator on with your thumb — and adding a nob to the steering wheel to make it possible to steer with one hand. You may also need to adjust the seating position.
Consider any additional features you might need – Depending on your specific needs, you may want to add additional features such as swivel seats, transfer seats, handrails, and adapted controls.
Seek help from professionals – It’s crucial to work with experienced professionals who specialize in wheelchair-accessible vehicle modifications. They can assess your needs, recommend the appropriate modifications, and ensure that the vehicle meets safety standards and legal requirements.
Make sure you regularly maintain your vehicle – Once you’ve finished adapting your vehicle, it’s important to do regular maintenance so that both the accessibility features and the vehicle itself remain in good working order.
Remember, the way you go about making a car wheelchair accessible will vary depending on the type of vehicle, your own specific needs, and any local regulations that are in place to name but a few.
You must learn how to properly secure your wheelchair into your vehicle, so that’s what I’ll turn to next.
How do you secure a wheelchair in a car?
Obviously, your safety and the safety of anyone in the car with you is paramount.
Follow these tips to secure your wheelchair.
Use wheelchair restraint straps – Most WAVs are equipped with tie-down systems made up of straps and anchor points. These straps are usually attached to the wheelchair frame and then secured to anchor points found on the floor of the vehicle. Make sure the tie-down straps are properly adjusted to hold your wheelchair in place without causing damage to either the wheelchair or your car/van.
Use wheelchair docking systems – Some vehicles may be equipped with wheelchair docking systems. These lock the wheelchair in place without the need for tie-down straps. These systems typically use a docking device attached to the wheelchair that locks into a base in the car.
Position your wheelchair correctly – Getting your wheelchair in the right position and properly aligning the wheelchair with the anchor points in the vehicle is vital for safety, because it’ll ensure that you’re secure throughout the journey. Make sure your wheelchair is in the most stable position possible so there’s less risk of it tipping or shifting when you’re on the move.
Secure the wheelchair – Usually, you must attach tie-down straps to the front and rear of the wheelchair frame and tighten them to distribute the force and stop excessive movement while traveling.
Check for slack – After securing the wheelchair, check the tie-down straps or docking system for any slack or looseness. Tighten the straps as needed so that everything is snug and secure. Be careful not to overtighten the straps, because you could damage the van/car or your vehicle.
Do a final check – Before driving, do one last check to make sure the wheelchair is securely fastened and won’t move too much. Try to move the wheelchair to make sure it’s properly secured and there’s not too much movement. If you’re using a docking system, make sure the locking mechanism is engaged and holds the wheelchair as it should.
By following these steps and ensuring that the systems you have in place work, you can effectively secure a wheelchair in your car or van and enjoy safe and comfortable journeys, for you, your friends, family, and caregivers.
How much does it cost to convert a car into a WAV?
This will vary depending on the type of car you have, the number of modifications you need, the quality of the conversion, and whether you want stuff customized. Even so, here is some general advice you can use to estimate the cost.
If you want a rear entry ramp conversion, you can expect to pay anywhere from $10,000 (about £7,850) to $20,000 (about £15,742). This type of conversion is usually more affordable than a side entry conversion which can set you back by as much as $30,000 (about £23,612).
The main advantage of a side conversion is that it is more convenient and more easily accessible.
You might also want to consider converting your vehicle by lowering the floor. This creates more headroom and space for the wheelchair. The cost will depend on how complicated it would be to do this type of conversion in your vehicle. A good benchmark is anywhere up to $25,000 (around £19,687).
If you need to install a wheelchair lift, it will likely cost between $7,000 (approx. £5,515) and $15,000 (around £11,820). The exact cost will depend on what type of lift you want; how compatible your car or van is, and the size of the lift.
If you would like any additional customizations or features, they will cost you anywhere from hundreds or thousands extra.
Here are a few of the additional features you can get:
- Wheelchair docking and restraint system.
- Swivel seats.
- Transfer seats.
- Hand controls.
Remember, costs will depend on where you live, the local costs for labor, and what your local dealer will charge. Insurance, possible grants from the government, charities, or any assistance programs designed to help with conversions like this aren’t considered. If you are eligible to receive one or more such grants, they may help with the costs involved. However, you still need to think about the cost to insure your newly converted vehicle.
A dealership will be able to give you a more accurate cost breakdown based on your specific needs.
What car is best for wheelchair users?
Choosing the best car for wheelchair users depends on many things, including what you need, how much you have to spend, how accessible you need it to be, and what you like.
Here are some things you should look for when choosing a vehicle.
- The accessibility features – Can the car or van feasibly be adapted into a WAV? Does it have wide doors? Can you remove the seats or move them in any way? Are the floors lower for easier access? Is there space for wheelchair restraint systems to be installed, or does the car already boast a ramp? If the answer to all those questions is yes, it may well be a good option for you.
- The amount of room – Do you think there’s enough room for your wheelchair and any other equipment or accessories you might need?
- Entry and exit – Can you get in and out of the vehicle easily?
- Driving it – If you, as the wheelchair user, are going to be driving, or transferring into the driver’s seat, can adaptive driving controls and are you able to see clearly out of the windscreen and sit comfortably?
These are some popular vehicles that usually satisfy all or most of the above conditions.
- Vans – For instance, a Ford Transit or a Ram Promaster, because there is usually ample room to accommodate any necessary adaptations.
- Minivans – Some people prefer to convert minivans because they are usually spacious, and typically have sliding doors. You can also usually rearrange the seating. Some popular models include the Honda Odyssey, the Toyota Sienna, and the Chrysler Pacifica.
- SUVs and crossovers – Some crossover vehicles can be suitable for wheelchair users too because they sometimes feature lower floors, and wider doors, and can easily be adapted. You might want to look at a Toyota RAVA or a Kia Soul.
If these three options don’t suit you, and you can’t get a specially designed WAV, you can go to a company that specializes in doing custom conversions for wheelchair users. These companies will do anything from simple conversions to more extensive and complex adaptations depending on your specific needs.
You should always test-drive a car or van before you buy it to make sure it suits you.
Summary: How to make a car wheelchair accessible.
Remember, making a vehicle wheelchair accessible isn’t just about converting a van or car. Every adaptation made, every ramp installed, and every bit of space created to make a vehicle wheelchair accessible could help someone become more independent.
So, why not find your van to adapt and take a step, with each adaptation that’s made to it, towards greater freedom in your life? Good luck finding the right vehicle!
