When you’re in the market for a wheelchair accessible van, there are many factors to consider to be sure you’re making the right purchase. It’s a big financial – and emotional – decision for any family.
If this is your first accessible vehicle, there are probably questions you don’t know to ask when purchasing. Finding the right wheelchair accessible van for your needs takes trust and research. But in the end, you’ll leave feeling confident in your vehicle for years to come.
So, take a deep breath and read through these tips for purchasing a wheelchair accessible van, and you’ll be golden!
Know What You’re Looking for in a Wheelchair Accessible Van
Everyone’s needs are different, and a wheelchair accessible van should tailor to those unique requirements. Before beginning your research, understand exactly what you’re looking for. There are plenty of options out there – especially as the industry for accessible vehicles continues to grow.
With dozens of vehicle variations to sift through, it’s helpful to create a “wish list” of the top features you’d love to have and work from there.
Consider what kind of lowered floor minivan conversion is right for your specific needs. When working with a highly trained mobility specialist they will perform a needs analysis which captures information such as; seated height in the wheelchair along with the wheelchair make, model, and width measurements. In doing so, the mobility specialist will quickly determine what lowered floor and ramp type is best.
Do Your Research
Just like with any other vehicle purchase, you want to trust the people you’re doing business with. Take the time to do research beyond vehicle features and the latest in wheelchair accessible van design to really investigate any company you might do business with.
Reviews, references, time in business and rates are the top things to look for in a company selling wheelchair accessible vans and van conversions. You’ll want someone who’s established in the industry and has a deep roster of happy customers.
Ask Questions!
It can be incredibly overwhelming to shop for and purchase a vehicle, let alone wheelchair accessible van. The best tip you could follow is to ask as many questions as you have. Don’t assume you’re supposed to know everything (or anything!), or that you’re supposed to fully understand the information you’ve gathered on your own.
Simply put, a trained Mobility Specialist is there to offer guidance and service to you as an individual. They are the experts on the industry and will be able to tell you which features are essential, and which are expendable. The best Mobility Specialist will never try to upsell you on an over complicated, but unnecessary feature. Come to the demonstration armed with every question you can think of – in doing so this will not only serve to educate your purchase, but it will also give you better peace of mind.
Purchase Your Wheelchair Accessible Van from an Accredited NMEDA Dealer
Safety is of the utmost importance when it comes to purchasing a wheelchair accessible vehicle. Be sure to find a company that is an Accredited National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) Dealer or accessible van direct-sell Manufacturer, and one who extensively crash-tests their vehicles.
At Adaptive Vans, we use our concierge program to provide customers with a member of our Mobility team who’s dedicated to finding the perfect wheelchair accessible van to fit your needs.
If you have a compatible model, we’ll convert your existing vehicle for you with no additional hidden costs! Our variety of purchasing options are designed with the customer in mind – and our prices just can’t be beat.
Beyond that, all of our vehicles are fully crash tested, meeting or exceeding all required FMVSS and NHTSA safety standards.
Help us put you in the perfect wheelchair accessible van. Give us a call today at (770) 674-0776 or visit us online to take a look at our inventory and schedule a consultation with our concierge.
