If you’re a wheelchair user you’ll appreciate that it’s hard to fit your wheelchair into most cars. Moving from a wheelchair into a car, then folding up and stowing the wheelchair can be a lot of hassle. For this reason a mobility car could be the answer to your problems. Mobility cars, also known as Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs), are specifically modified cars or vans that allow wheelchairs to be wheeled or lifted into the vehicle, allowing the wheelchair user to remain in their chair and doing away with the hassle of transferring between seats and collapsing and stowing the wheelchair.
Passenger or Driver?
Mobility car modifications fall into two general categories; the first and most common is where the wheelchair user is a passenger and the second is where they are the driver. These two categories require different modifications to the vehicle, but in general they both require the addition of some form of access, such as a ramp or power-assisted lift, the lowering and/or reinforcing of the floor to provide more headroom and allow for the additional weight of the chair, and a system for securing the wheelchair in place. Modifications that allow the wheelchair user to drive will often include adaptations to the controls, such as steering and pedals, and re-designing the front seating and can be very expensive.
Who Makes Them?
There are many specific mobility car manufacturers throughout the UK that sell new or second hand high specification modified vehicles that are ready for use immediately. Some companies are also able to design and adapt vehicles to the individual needs of their customers. Mobility cars come in all shapes and sizes but people-carriers, MPVs and vans are the most popular models as they provide more room for wheelchair accessibility, comfort and other passenger seating. If you think a mobility car would make your life easier it’s worth contacting a mobility company to see what they can do for you.
Motability Car Scheme
Understandably, buying a specifically modified new car is expensive, so it’s good to know that the charity Motability can help through the Motability Car Scheme. If you receive either the higher rate mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioners Mobility Supplement and have a minimum of 12 months of your allowance left you can exchange your allowance in part or in full for a mobility car.
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