Mobility Info - USA
Wheelchair Accessible Vans
There is now a large range of adaptations available to the disabled motorist, whether as driver or passenger, and an increasing number of companies throughout the United States and Canada who specialize in adapting, supplying or hiring out wheelchair accessible vans. Here are details of some of them.
Vantage Mobility International was founded over twenty years ago and is based in Phoenix, Arizona. One of the largest mobility companies in North America, VMI manufactures, markets and services a wide range of accessible vans and vehicle lifts, with the aim of enabling customers to travel with comfort, convenience and peace of mind.
Every vehicle conversion undertaken entails an 11-stage process culminating in a 200-point inspection and extensive road test. Vantage Mobility has an extensive dealer network of over 700 partners throughout North America and elsewhere, all formally trained and rigorously monitored. Their van conversions encompass minivans such as the Honda Odyssey and Chrysler/Dodge wheelchair van as well as full-size vans like the Ford E150, E250 and E350 – all with a variety of conversion options.
Vantage Mobility can be found at www.vantagemobility.com or by phoning (602) 243-2700 or (800) 348-VANS.
Eclipse Specialty Vehicles are a global leader in the manufacture of wheelchair accessible vans for commercial and personal use. With a large manufacturing plant in Elkhart, Indiana, Eclipse has received Ford’s Quality Excellence Award for six years in a row. Their vehicles are built to use and built to last, meeting and exceeding industry standards for features such as safety, corrosion resistance, ground clearance and interior noise levels.
Eclipse vehicles are safe, reliable and functional. Both new and pre-owned vans can be converted, with several options for interior and exterior trim. Family vans from Ford and Chrysler can accommodate up to 7 or even 11 passengers; wheelchair accessible minivans and raised door, lowered floor vans are also a specialty.
Contact Eclipse on (800) 501-1223 or visit www.eclipsemobility.com.
BraunAbility is a leading name in the field of wheelchair vans and wheelchair van lifts. Their quality wheelchair van conversions offer the best in convenience and mobility with their automatic ramps and lowered floors. All vans and lifts have been designed and tested with safety in mind and are backed by a three year warranty. The company’s accessible van range features three main types of conversion: Entervan, Rampvan and CompanionVan. Vehicles available include models from Chrysler, Dodge and Toyota.
BraunAbility has its headquarters in Winamac, Indiana, supporting BraunAbility Centers nationwide. Your local center can provide demonstrations and advice on the right van or lift for you, as well as servicing and repairs, no matter where you bought the vehicle.
Call 1-800-843-5438 to find the nearest center or visit www.braunability.com for more information.
Amerivans are produced by the van mobility division of the ElDorado National Company, following its acquisition in 2001 of the Ricon Corporation’s mobility van business. Utilizing the expertise from its commercial bus division located in a state-of-the-art facility in Salina, Kansas, the company offers quality lowered-floor minivans through dealers all over the United States.
Amerivans feature completely stainless steel floors on all General Motors and Dodge models. Push-button operation activates the powered fold-out aluminum ramp, wide sliding doors and lowering facility. Amerivan conversions also boast lowered rear seats and front seats that can be removed easily, and Q-Straint tie-downs secure wheelchairs safely inside the van during transit.
Visit www.amerivans.com to find the nearest dealer or phone 1-866-392-6300.
Rollx Vans has the largest inventory of new and used wheelchair accessible vans in the USA, with more than 300 vans available. The company offers nationwide delivery and service, several finance options and trade-ins. They can arrange demonstrations and home delivery of the finished van, plus convenient local servicing.
Rollx converts Daimler Chrysler minivans, the Honda Odyssey and the Ford Econoline full-size van, in addition to a range of used vans. They can also convert the customer’s own van, arranging shipping to and from its Minnesota manufacturing facility. The compact and efficient Chrysler and Dodge minivans are Rollx’s most popular wheelchair vans, giving the wheelchair user easy access to roll in behind the steering wheel, automatically dock and then drive away.
Rollx Vans can be contacted on 1-800-956-6668 or by going to www.rollxvans.com.
Viewpoint Mobility of Kalamazoo, Mississippi, manufactures The Vision, North America’s leading wheelchair accessible minivan. The Vision is a rear-entry, lowered floor conversion that makes DaimlerChrysler, Ford and General Motors minivans as accessible as possible.
A keychain or hand-held remote or a dash-mounted switch is used to trigger the automatic rear hatch, wheelchair ramp and van lowering system. A manual conversion is also available, with a lightweight spring-assisted aluminum ramp. Additionally, Viewpoint Mobility can install a transfer seat in the driver or passenger position as well as further seating options for the middle and rear benches. All conversions and modifications have been rigorously safety and crash tested.
Contact Viewpoint Mobility on 1-877-368-6022 or through www.viewpointmobility.com.
AMS Vans Inc. offers great value new and used wheelchair vans with nationwide front door delivery. Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan and Volkswagen Routan minivans are converted for either side or rear door entry. The AMS Legend side access conversion features a powered folding ramp and removable front passenger seat; this allows a wheelchair user to transfer easily into the driver’s seat. With the AMS Edge conversion, the wheelchair user enters through the rear hatch via a lightweight aluminum manual or automatic ramp. Conversions include 7 year or 70,000 mile limited warranty.
AMS allows trade-ins of used vehicles towards the purchase of any mobility van or, alternatively, customers can sell used mobility vans through their online classified ads section. Alongside their van conversions, AMS can supply additional mobility aids such as wheelchair docking systems and restraints, hand controls, transfer seats and jump seats for extra capacity.
Adaptive Mobility Systems is located in Norcross, Georgia, and can be found at www.amsvans.com. Telephone (800) 775-8267.
Freedom Amcar Motors Corp., of Kissimmee, Florida, prides itself on the most innovative and reliable wheelchair transportation solutions. The company’s Freedom Van conversion of well known branded vehicles is one of the lowest priced yet most accessible wheelchair vans on the North American market, combining effortless operation with complementary styling. Functionality, safety, finish and quality are important features of the Freedom Van.
Three designs of rear wheelchair entry are available. The family design sites the wheelchair close to the driver and front passenger, while leaving room for 4 other passengers. The passenger design locates the chair behind the second row of seating, whereas the two-wheelchair design allows a larger van to be converted to take two wheelchair occupants.
Vehicles available for conversion include the Toyota Sienna, Kia Sedona, Hyundai Entourage, Dodge Grand Caravan and Volkswagen Routan. Go to www.amcarmotors.com or phone toll free on (866) 961-3178.
In addition to the businesses already mentioned, the following companies are among those involved in the manufacture, supply or rental of wheelchair accessible vans:
Mobility Vans USA www.mobilityvansusa.com
Adaptive Mobility Systems Inc. www.aavans.com
Accessible Vans of America www.accessiblevans.com
Discount Mobility USA www.discountmobilityusa.com
Freedom Motors www.fminow.com
Wheelchair Accessible Vans www.wheelchair-accessible-vans.com
In Canada, Sidewinder Conversions and Mobility specializes in wheelchair vans, hand controls and wheelchair/scooter lifts. Based in Chilliwack near Vancouver, British Columbia, the company creates personalized vehicles to suit the customer’s individual mobility needs.
The Sidewinder Rear Access Vehicle conversions of the Dodge Grand Caravan feature non-slip rear ramp and flooring, carpeted sidewalls and manual wheelchair tie-downs (RAV 1) or Sure Lok tie-downs (RAV 2). The VMI Northstar lowered floor minivan conversion with side entry comes with powered ramp and door, complete undercoating and rust proofing, ample floor space and interior headroom, plus flexible seating arrangements and remote control operation. Full size vans and custom conversions are also a specialty.
Contact them on 888-266-2299 or see www.sidewinder-conversions.com.
The Liberty Motor Company of Oakville, Ontario, is a leading supplier of rear and side-entry accessible minivans, providing safe, comfortable and affordable mobility solutions. They stock a range of new and certified pre-owned Chrysler and Ford minivans with a variety of options. Furthermore, they are happy to modify customers’ own minivans to their desired specifications. All rear-entry conversions carry a lifetime warranty.
Conversions are supervised by a highly-trained team of engineers and quality-control experts. The strength and integrity of the van’s frame are maintained during alteration while the floor is lowered to accommodate the wheelchair and a lightweight, counter-balanced ramp is installed. All minivans are crash-tested and meet North American safety standards and regulations. A bonus is that they can be serviced and repaired at any Ford or Chrysler dealer across North America.
The company can be found at www.libertymotorco.com or by telephoning 1-866-570-6587.
Creative Carriage Ltd. of Cambridge, Ontario, has been manufacturing wheelchair accessible vans for over twenty years, with an ever-growing product line. As well as wheelchair conversions, Creative Carriage can fit Sure Grip driving aids such as spinner knobs and left foot gas pedals.
Their Rear Entry Low Floor Minivan is a conversion of the Dodge Grand Caravan, with one of the lowest manual ramp angles in the industry. The XL can convert a large Ford or GMC van to take up to 4 wheelchairs. The Van Action Side Entry Low Floor Minivan allows safe and easy transfers, while the Braun Entervan minivan conversion allows the wheelchair occupant to drive or ride as a passenger. It boasts a streamlined yet spacious construction to accommodate the largest of wheelchairs and scooters.
Phone 1-800-392-8403 or see www.creativecarriage.com.
