Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles
At Amvale we specialise in wheelchair accessible vehicles. Wheelchair accessible vehicles encompass a range of vehicles that have been modified to allow access who are in wheelchairs. The typical modifications performed on a vehicle to make is accessible for wheelchairs, is to lower the floor and adding some sort of ramp so the chair can be rolled into the van or adding a powered lift that picks the wheelchair up from ground level to the same level as the vehicles floor.
General Modifications to Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles
Generally certain steps are taken to adapt are car to give accessibility to wheelchair users. Each manufacturer has various way of doing this, and its varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Most typical wheelchair modifications include:
- The floor is generally lowered
- Front seating is modified to all wheelchair access
- Means of external access are added
- Suspensions are stiffened to allow extra weight of power chairs and additional weight from conversions
- Gas tanks may be modified / replace with custom made doe to lowering of floors
Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles Ramp
To provide usable headroom, the floor of the vehicles is lowered. In rear-entry is models the vehicles floor is actually removed and a composite or Steel tube is inserted where the wheel chair can stay. Wheelchair accessible vehicles can have both motorised folding ramps, manual folding ramps and sliding ramps hidden under floor.
Automatic Platform Lifts
Wheelchair accessible vehicles can also have automatic platform lifts which can be raised and lowered from inside the wheelchair. There are a range of lift types including mono-arm, double-arm and under body lifts. Double-arm and under body lifts are best suited for bigger wheelchair accessible vehicles such as minibuses or busses used for public transport. They tend to have bigger platforms and high load capacity so they are suitable for heavy electric wheelchairs with occupants (over 300kg. in all) A mono-arm lift is preferable for private transport because it can fit smaller wheelchairs accessible vehicles. Mono-arms are lighter and smaller than other types that ensures a clear view when its installed in the back of the car. Mono-arm lifts are preferable for the side-door installation because they are thinner than a double arm.
