This year, we’re celebrating Disability History Month (20th November to 20th December) by taking a look at the interesting evolution of wheelchair accessible vehicles, also known as WAVs. From small, uncovered buggies to the comfortable, intuitively designed cars we have today, the timeline of the WAV is rich in ingenuity and innovation. Thanks to these vehicles, disabled drivers and passengers maintain their independence, control, and comfort on the road, which is definitely something worth celebrating.
The evolution of wheelchair accessible vehicles
Let’s take a look at the journey WAVs have taken in the past century to get to where they are today.
1920 – The beginnings of wheelchair accessible transport
Wheelchair accessible vehicles have humble beginnings. The first example of a powered WAV was a road vehicle or buggy known as an ‘invalid carriage’, fuelled by a small petrol or gasoline engine or a battery. This opened a whole new world to disabled people post-World War I, enabling more independence and control over longer journeys.
1930s – Early hand controls are invented
During the 30s, the invention of hand controls promised further accessibility of vehicles. Unfortunately, these controls were deemed fairly unsafe as they were for manual vehicles, making them quite difficult to control at the same time as steering. However, it was the start of something that would eventually change the vehicle landscape for disabled divers across the world.
1940s – Hand controls are advanced
Ford, General Motors, and other manufacturers began adapting vehicles for disabled drivers, in part due to the sudden increase in people made disabled during World War II. They did this through advancing hand controls and creating new ones, including steering wheel knobs and emergency brake control extensions.
1947 – The invention of the first wheelchair accessible vehicle
In 1947, Canadian veteran Walter Harris Callow invented the very first WAV: a custom-built, adapted bus for the transportation of returning disabled WWII veterans. Callow himself was blind and quadriplegic after a plane crash during a test flight in 1918, and later had both legs amputated. Callow dedicated his life to making vehicles and spaces more accessible and is a prominent figure in WAV history.
1948 – The famous Invacar is created
One of the most important developments in the wheelchair accessible vehicle timeline is the invention of the Invacar. To start with, Bert Greeves, with the help of his paralysed cousin Derry Preston-Cobb, took a motorcycle and adapted it for manual control for Preston-Cobb’s use.
When Greeves realised there was a commercial opportunity to produce these accessible cars for disabled veterans, he approached the UK government with his plan. Greeves got their support, and the Invacar was born, a three-wheel single-seater with a light blue fibreglass shell. From 1948 to the 1970s, Invacars were given to disabled people free of charge by the British Ministry of Pensions. This personal vehicle supported disabled drivers, including wheelchair users, in achieving much greater independence.
1950s – Push / pull hand controls are developed
A huge step forward in accessible vehicle adaptation was the invention of push / pull hand controls, which are still sold and used all over the world today. After Alan B. Ruprecht was left disabled by adult polio, he lost much of his independence and freedom as he was no longer able to drive his vehicle, and the existing hand controls were not built to high enough standards for the time. Using his background in engineering, he designed the very first push / pull hand control system to operate the brake and accelerator pedals by hand.
1960s – The first drive-from wheelchair accessible vehicle is created
At 20 years old, Ralph Braun, an American wheelchair user with muscular dystrophy, built his own motorised scooter with parts from his cousin’s farm to get him to and from work. Several years later, when his workplace relocated further away in the mid-60s, he got an old postal Jeep, added hand controls, and built and fitted a hydraulic tailgate lift to the back. This enabled him to drive his scooter in and out of the vehicle independently.
In 1970, when manufacturer Dodge released the very first full-sized van with a front engine, Braun purchased one and fitted it with a lift he called the ‘Lift-A-Way’. This invention became highly sought-after, eventually resulting in Braun leaving his job to focus on manufacturing it full-time. This amazing accessible car creation finally allowed wheelchair users to operate their own vehicles, including getting in and out without assistance.
1976 and 1977 – The Mobility Allowance and The Motability Scheme are introduced
After much campaigning by disabled drivers for better mobility support throughout the 70s, the UK government introduced the Mobility Allowance. This was designed to support those with disabilities to drive, regardless of their means. It offered disabled people a choice of cash allowance, instead of forcing them to drive particular vehicles. This was an excellent step forward in independence, as previously, the government would only provide specific vehicles to disabled drivers.
The Mobility Allowance was originally a component of the DLA (Disability Living Allowance), but is now the mobility component of PIP (the Personalised Independence Payment).
The Motability Scheme, established in 1977, gave disabled people assistance in securing an affordable and accessible car with their mobility allowance. Before this, only disabled people who could drive themselves got any kind of government help. This meant many disabled people couldn’t afford a vehicle, and were left housebound and dependent on their families to get them from A to B. Even after the introduction of the Mobility Allowance, people still struggled to purchase a car with the cash benefit. The Motability Scheme was created to help disabled people lease vehicles with their allowance, ensuring the buyers were well-informed and getting the best value for money.
This charity and scheme is still an essential initiative today, dedicated to helping disabled people lease new scooters, powered wheelchairs, cars, and wheelchair accessible vehicles. Insurance, breakdown, servicing, and maintenance are all included in the package now.
Late 20th century to today – WAVs advance in leaps and bounds
Since the late 20th century, we have seen some incredible advancements in wheelchair accessible vehicles, from comfortable and stable low-floor vehicle designs to infrared wireless keypad controls. It has never been easier for wheelchair users to drive or ride in personal vehicles, but there are many more exciting possibilities in store for the future.
The future of WAVs
We can’t wait to see what advancements will be made for wheelchair users and their wheelchair accessible cars and vehicles. With the continuous development of self-driving vehicles and new and ever-evolving smart technology, WAVs are set for yet more useful transformations to improve the independence, comfort, and well-being of disabled drivers and passengers everywhere.
WAVs for disabled drivers and passengers
Disabled people, regardless of whether they’re driving or riding along, deserve a safe, comfortable, and dignified mode of transport. We cannot celebrate Disability History Month without acknowledging what wheelchair accessible vehicles have done for the community over the past 100 years.
Here at Ransome, we do all we can to provide you with the very best service and competitive deals, and we can even offer support and guidance if you need to apply for the Motability Scheme but aren’t sure where to start. Reach out to our friendly, experienced team today, and let us help. To view our range of used and new wheelchair accessible vehicles, don’t hesitate to take a look through what we’ve got in stock.