How to choose a wheelchair accessible vehicle: WAV buying guide

How to choose a wheelchair accessible vehicle: WAV buying guide
Mobility

Buying a wheelchair accessible vehicle can be daunting, especially if it is your first time owning one. Your WAV is a vehicle that will help you to maintain independence and get to where you need to be, so it’s important that you choose one which suits your needs – but where should you start when looking at all of the different types?

Today we are taking a look at some of our recommendations for deciding which wheelchair accessible vehicle is right for you.

Understand your needs

Perhaps even before you have set eyes on a WAV (or very early on in your shopping, if not!) you should make sure you are clear about what your own individual needs are for your wheelchair car. This could be things like;

  • What accessibility features or vehicle adaptations you need in order to drive safely and comfortably
  • What space you have at home to park, which could have an impact the size of vehicle you opt for as well as the entry and exit points
  • Whether there is any additional equipment, apart from your wheelchair, that you need to carry, and therefore what space inside needs to be accounted for
  • How many seats you will need for those you usually travel with, and whether flexible seating options are a requirement

At this point it’s also worth considering whether you would like a new or used WAV, or whether this is a factor that matters to you at all.

Understanding all of these factors will put you in a much better position when you come to look at vehicles or have a demonstration – this is how you set yourself up well to find the right WAV for your specific needs.

Measure your wheelchair

Ensure you have an accurate picture of how much space you will require by measuring your wheelchair before you begin your search. While many companies you will talk to will have a good idea about types of wheelchair and the WAVs that may suit them, it always pays to be prepared and make sure you aren’t going to be caught out by a matter of centimetres later on. If you’re not sure how to measure your wheelchair for a WAV, we have a handy guide on our website.

Note whether the wheelchair user will travel as a passenger or as the driver

Another factor that will greatly impact what make and model of accessible car you end up with is whether or not the wheelchair user intends to drive the vehicle themselves. If you are a wheelchair user who often travels alone and needs to be able to drive independently, you will likely opt for a drive from wheelchair car, or one where a rotating transfer seat has been fitted in the driver’s position (a type of internal transfer WAV).

If the wheelchair user won’t be driving, you will generally have a little more choice, as there are multiple locations within different vehicles where the wheelchair can be placed.

Consider how you will enter and exit

Typically, wheelchair accessible vehicles come with either rear or side entry through a fitted ramp, and your own personal situation and preferences will dictate which works better for you.

A side-entry WAV is great if you want to keep the vehicle’s boot space and have flexibility to use both on-street and disabled parking bays. Keep in mind, though, that it may require a little more maneuvering to get into position comfortably. A rear-entry WAV, on the other hand, offers a straightforward, comfortable entry with less need to adjust your angle for positioning. It’s also ideal if you often park in regular spaces and want to avoid worrying about being blocked in.

Consider the seating arrangements

If the wheelchair user is not driving, then there are several options available in terms of the wheelchair’s location within the vehicle. This could be up front next to the driver, alongside the rear passengers, or at the rear of the car behind other passengers.

Depending on your preference, different cars will be available to you; you may prefer to be in a more central area of the car for conversation purposes, for example. If the car is not going to be carrying the wheelchair very often, or if the wheelchair user plans to transfer to one of the passenger seats once inside, then the rear of the car might be more practical.

Think about what type of driving you tend to do

The amount of driving you do – and the type of roads you tend to be on – can influence the kind of WAV that best meets your individual requirements. For example, you may use your wheelchair car only for city based driving – to the shops, hospital or to visit friends and family – or you might lead a different kind of lifestyle where you like to take longer trips using your WAV.

Decide on your budget

Your budget might be impacted by several different factors; if you are a member of the motability scheme, for example, or just have an amount in mind that you are budgeting for the vehicle. If you aren’t yet sure how much use you will get out of a WAV and therefore how much you are willing to spend, then WAV hire might be a good alternative, since it allows you to ‘try before you buy’.

When considering your budget, remember that you will also have to think about things like fuel costs, maintenance, and insurance for your wheelchair accessible vehicle.

Take a test drive

Travelling in a wheelchair in a car can be very difference from sitting in a standard car seat, making test drives even more important. They are an excellent opportunity for you to get a good appreciation of what the WAV feels like to drive or travel in, and how comfortable you find it. If you can, taking a test drive that incorporates areas you regularly drive in can be a good idea.

Find a WAV that meets your accessibility needs

Ready to find your next wheelchair accessible vehicle? At Ransome Mobility WAV, we offer a range of wheelchair accessible vehicles for sale, as well as WAV hire if you just need one for a short time. Our team has many years of experience in supporting wheelchair users to find their perfect car and are happy to offer expert advice or share any information you may need, so get in touch if we can help.

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