adapting vehicle for wheelchair use

K2

If anybody has any experience in adpating a car / van to take a wheelchair (and I don't mean the actual hands-on work but rather the process from primary certificate to getting the keys) I would appreciate if they could offer any advice from their experience on things they should have done or would not do again.

for example: while visting the crc I got talking to a taxi driver (he was picking up his sister) and he had a new van adapted but was taking it back to get the windows tinted. It would have been easier to have this done before taking delivery.

thanks in advance

Victor

I do know that there is a VAT exemption for the alterations, once those alterations exceed a certain sum.

Is the wheelchair user the driver?

K2

No Victor its for a passenger but I'm well up to speed on that side of it. What I'm after is other peoples real life experience. Untimately what I am trying to do is to avoid making expensive mistakes, and to learn from other peoples mistakes.

I know what van I am going to buy but like I said its the little things you do that can make a big difference. For example, I will talk to mobiliy ireland about putting some sort of anchors in the boot space because at least once a year we will be taking holidays and may want to bring heavy stuff like say a shower chair, which, for safety reasons, I would like to know was going to stay put in the event or an accident or even heavy breaking.

FranknFurter

DONT go for those two telescopic ramps like taxis use, personally I feel as safe on those as I would on a tightrope!

They arent even theoretically sound, as wheelchairs are not a uniform size, and the front castors are rarely 100% in line with the back wheels. Even worse with an electric chair.]

I reccoment either a hydraulic lift such as the RICON or the solid ramps built into the floor that you pull out.

(27yo lifelong wheelchair user here btw )

B

K2

Thanks FranknFurter, thats exactly the sort of stuff I'm after.

Victor

One thing about taxis. The securable(?) wheelchair space tends to be rearward facing, which may not be as acceptable for longer journeys. It's kinda like "are we there yet" with the asker not able to see.

K2

It will be forward facing. I always hated those seats on dublin bus that had you traveling backwards, it the same for the trains, they make me ill if I'm there for any length of time.

Victor

Oh, rearward facing seat are safer - in sharp braking you are pressed against the seat (larger contact area), not your seat belt.

K2

afaik the w/chair will be clamped into the vehicle so it is the various straps that will be holding my son in place, along with headrest, lateral supports etc so that will be much better than a single belt used by most in cars. When you add the abs and ebd I can see no reason in having a wheelchair bound passenger sitting in a position different to the other passengers in the car.