Vehicle Access
This part of the Information Services website is for those who need information about getting in and out of a vehicle, by using adaptations or a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle. For information on getting scooters and wheelchairs into your vehicle, go to Scooters and Wheelchairs.
Some Mobility Centres offer assessment on getting in and out of a vehicle that is specific to your mobility requirements. Before investing in one of the options discussed below it would be a good idea to visit your nearest Centre.
Adaptations for Getting In and Out of a Vehicle
There are a whole host of adaptations that can be used and fitted to help a driver or passenger get in and out of their vehicle more easily. Below are links to further information on:-
Wheelchair Systems where a specialised design of wheelchair moves into the vehicle and becomes the front passenger seat.
Swivel Seats, which rotate within the vehicle, and may help you in and out of the car if you have difficulty swivelling on the car seat. This links to a guide that describes options available and points to consider as well as the main manufacturers.
Transfer Aids decribes a range of equipment that may help, such as a turning/swivel cushion, leg lifter, glide sheet, push up bar, transfer board, handling belt and tip up plates/platforms
Contacts for External Person Hoists, which are designed to be used by hoisting a person using a sling and mobile hoist system and Integral Person Hoists, which are a hoisting system that has been fitted inside a vehicle.
Another solution is to install an electric lift into a exisiting vehicle, click below for a list of manufacturers of electric lifts.
Other Sources of Information
Ricability have created a useful guide entitled Getting In and Out of a Car that covers many of the points above.
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Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAV's)
For some wheelchair users and their families, a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle is an excellent way of keeping mobile. Below is a basic guide on what to look for, and where you can get them:-
Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Guide
Some Mobility Centres offer assessment on using a Wheelchair Accessible VehicleS and have one to demonstrate and discuss points to consider. Follow the link for details of your nearest Centre.
For a list of companies who install and provide restraints and harnesses to use in your Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, see Restraints, Seats and Harnesses
Other Useful Information
Motability have created a guide for those who are on their scheme who are considering getting a WAV Your Guide to Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles.
Also Motability have a WAV Measurement Guide which provides details such as entry height and other important measurements you need to consider when choosing a WAV, over a range of models by several different adaptation companies.
Where to get them
Below are contact lists for organisations that build and distrubute WAV's. Click this link for sources of funding or visit the Motability website if you want to see if you are eligible to use their scheme.
Many companies below will make a home visit:-
Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Converters
Motability Accredited= Converters who have Motability Accreditation
WAVCA= Converterters who are members of WAVCA
DFW= Also convert vehicles for wheelchair drivers who want to drive from their wheelchair
Adaptacar |
Alfred Bekker |
Allied Vehicles Ltd |
Aspect Conversions |
Atlas Conversions |
Auto Mobility Concepts Ltd |
Automotive Group |
Bewick Mobility Aids |
Brook Miller Mobility |
Brotherwood Automobility Ltd |
CJ Conversions |
City Motor Services ( Cardiff ) Ltd. |
Constables Ltd |
CoTrim |
Davis of Sevenoaks |
D S & P Mobility Electronics |
Gleneagles Conversions Ltd |
GM Coachwork Ltd |
Gowrings Mobility |
Hill Gruau |
Imp Vehicle Specialists |
Invatravel Conversions Limited |
Jim Doran Hand Controls |
Jubilee Automotive Group |
KC Mobility Solutions Ltd |
Lewis Reed Group |
LK Mobility Ltd |
McElmeel Mobility Services Ltd |
O & H Mobility |
PB Conversions |
Silverline Mobility
|
Sirus Automotive Mobility Solutions |
Stanford Coachworks Ltd |
Steering Developments Ltd |
Urban Conversions |
Widnes Car Centre Ltd |
Access Alternatives |
Autochair Ltd Wood St North Meadow Lane Industrial Estate Alfreton Derbyshire DE55 7JR Tel: 0800 214045 Fax: 01773 830444 Email: info@autochair.co.uk Web: http://www.autochair.co.uk Motability Accredited |
Holden Mobility |
Roy Woods Transits |
RSE Innovations |
Martin Healey Vehicle Adaptations Unit 14 Moreton Park Way Darlington Co Durham DL1 4PJ Tel: 01325 389900 Fax: 01325 288820 Email: vehicleadaptations@hotmail.com Web: www.wheelchairaccessible.co.uk |
March 2010
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