The majority of us hop in a car and take off to our destination without a second thought. But the reality is that a growing number of us need, or will need in the future, special transportation options to get where we need to go. Our parents are also living longer, and consequently may need special handicap transport with a mini van, specially equipped vehicle, or independent mobility chair. Wading through all of the options available to find one that meets your special needs can be a challenge if you don’t know where to start.
Handicap minivans are a very popular choice for those with special needs, and with good reason. These specially equipped mini vans can be custom made with lifts at any door to raise and lower the passenger into it. These lifts can lift a wheelchair or a chair attachment into the handicap mini van, or can simply provide special handles and steps to allow the passenger to enter with ease. Wheelchair mini vans can be rented or purchased, and may even be available at some car rental companies when traveling. Custom made handicap mini vans can be made to transport the handicapped or allow them to drive it themselves. Drivers seats can be made with any size lift to allow the handicapped driver to see, and can also be equipped with special gear shifts, and gas and brake pedals to allow the driver to have a near normal experience when driving.
Hand controls are another option available to equip a handicap mini van and allow the special needs driver or passenger to fully control all functions with a hand held control device. This type of device is great for the person with little or no control of their lower extremities, and allows them to easily manipulate everything from the lift to the pedals with very little movement. The main thing to remember is that these hand held devices make it easy to make a mistake, and can be dangerous if the person using them is not comfortable with it. On the rare occasion that the device malfunctions or is dropped for some reason, then it can become a problem and put the handicapped person and any passengers at risk of an accident. This aside, hand controls are become more popular and are an excellent choice in a handicap mini van.
After comparing and exploring the different types of handicap minivans and the various options available, you then can decide if you want to buy new or used. Typically, the more custom features on a van, the more expensive and more difficult to find used. Warranties may not be available on used handicap minivans, but can save a lot of money and may be covered by some insurance plans. New handicap minivans are quite expensive, but provide you with exactly the type of custom features that you need. The key to handicap minivans and other mobility options is to allow each person to remain as independent as possible, and give them a sense of freedom they may not otherwise enjoy.
