subject: A Buying Guide To The Handicap Van [print this page] A handicap van can change a wheelchair user's entire life. No longer will they feel so helpless and immobile. In fact, with certain types of vans, they will even be able to drive themselves! When you're first buying one, though, the choices available to you can seem a little overwhelming. We're going to give you some highlights, and explain them, hopefully taking some of the mystery and intimidation out of the process for you. We'll take a look at a couple of different types of vans, some common features, and a few different ways to buy them. Knowledge is power, and we hope that by the end of this article you'll feel more empowered when making this decision.
First, let's take a look at the two major categories of vans you'll be choosing between. We'll also tell you why you might want to choose one over the other. The two categories are rear entry vans and side entry vans. A rear entry van is good if you want to transport more than one wheelchair user at the same time. A side entry van, on the other hand, is better if the the wheelchair user is ever going to be the one driving. It can be more easily outfitted with a couple of important features, which we're going to take a look at next.
One of the features that enables wheelchair users to drive their own vans is a transfer seat. A transfer seat can be pushed away from the steering wheel and then turned to the side, making it easier for the wheelchair user to maneuver into it. Once the driver is seated, the chair can then be turned back around, slid forward, and locked into place. Another important feature is hand controls. These are placed near the steering wheel, and they enable the driver to operate the acceleration and brake pedals without using their feet. Having both of these features, along with a good lift, actually enables some wheelchair users to gain virtually complete independence.
There are three ways to buy a handicap van, regardless of which features and categories you ultimately decide on. Aside from the simple choice between new and used, which are two of those ways, you also have the option to buy a used van with a new conversion. That way, you can avoid the loss of depreciation and still have warranty coverage on the conversion itself.
by: Bob Lundin
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