What Makes a Wheelchair Van ADA-Compliant?
What Makes a Wheelchair Van ADA-Compliant?
Wheelchair vans, also known as accessible vans, are vehicles designed to transport individuals who use wheelchairs. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has set specific requirements for making wheelchair vans accessible to individuals with disabilities. Here are some of the key features that make a wheelchair van ADA-compliant:
Accessible Entry: The van must have an accessible entry point, such as a rear entry ramp, that allows a wheelchair to easily enter and exit the vehicle. The entry must have a minimum width of 30 inches and a maximum slope of 1:8.
Floor Space: The interior of the van must have sufficient floor space to accommodate the wheelchair and its occupant. The space should be at least 56 inches long and 30 inches wide, with a height clearance of at least 54 inches.
Securement System: The van must have a securement system that keeps the wheelchair and its occupant safely in place while the vehicle is in motion. The system should include wheelchair tie-downs and occupant restraints that meet ADA requirements.
Interior Controls: The van must have controls that are easily accessible to the wheelchair occupant. This includes controls for the door, ramp or lift, and any other features that the occupant may need to access.
Lighting and Signage: The van must have adequate lighting and signage to ensure that the occupant can safely enter and exit the vehicle. This includes interior lighting and signs that indicate the location of emergency exits and accessible features.
Emergency Exits: The van must have at least one emergency exit that is accessible to the wheelchair occupant. The exit must be clearly marked and easy to open from both the inside and outside of the vehicle.
Non-Slip Surfaces: The van must have non-slip surfaces in the wheelchair area and on the ramp or lift to prevent slips and falls.
Overall, a wheelchair van must be designed to ensure the safety and accessibility of individuals with disabilities. By following ADA guidelines and incorporating these key features, a wheelchair van can provide a reliable and comfortable means of transportation for wheelchair users.
About Adaptive Vans
Since 1979, Adaptive Vans has had one clear goal: to provide our customers with excellence, simplicity and convenience at an affordable price. We are a proud charter member of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) and align with their mission to improve transportation options for people with disabilities. We strive to produce high quality wheelchair accessible vehicles to help people with disabilities lead happy, healthy and more mobile lives.
We also take safety very seriously. As a member of NMEDA, we strictly adhere to the safety standards of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and participate in NMEDA’s Quality Assurance Program™ (QAP), a nationally recognized accreditation program for the mobility equipment industry developed to promote quality, dependability, and safety.
In 1979 Adaptive Mobility Systems, Inc. began by installing lifts and custom components in vans for wheelchair accessibility. In 1999, under current management, we designed and manufactured our first lowered floor minivan conversion. We have built and crash tested our minimally invasive conversions on the Dodge, Chrysler, VW, Kia, Honda, and Toyota minivan platforms while not compromising the structural integrity of the vehicle and exceeding safety standards.
From 1999 to 2017 all our conversions were sold exclusively by AMS Vans, an internet marketer, under the branding “AMS.” In late 2017 AMS Vans sold its business, ending our long partnership. We now independently sell our conversions to mobility dealers all over the United States, and recently to the public with the new branding “Adaptive Vans.” Using the knowledge and skills we gained from converting over 7,000 vans we believe we can offer the strongest, simplest, and safest wheelchair accessible vans at a price no other manufacturer can compete with.
Based in Tucker, Georgia, our production facility is staffed with skilled professionals, using the latest technology to create converted vehicles that are easy to maintain and service at one of our many service centers across the country. Whether selecting a van from our inventory or converting a van purchased from another source, our finished products appear and perform nearly identical from a vehicle purchased directly from the manufacturer’s showroom. We are able to perform conversions that match up with our customers’ needs and desires. Whether they are looking for side or rear entry, we are able to come up with the perfect solution at a price that is well within reach for most families.
Thanks to our long-standing reputation as a trusted brand, we are able to work with mobility dealers and car dealerships to help them provide their customers with the freedom and accessibility that a wheelchair-accessible van can deliver.
Safety, reliability and quality. Take a look at what Adaptive Vans has to offer and start planning your mobile future.
