Living

Riley Still Needs A Handicap Lift Van

Last March, we told you about Riley, a 10 year old from Clinton, MI who needs a handicap accessible van for him and his family.

The good news is, they are working with MobilityWorks to find the right accessible van conversion with a handicap lift.  They’ve even been able to collect over $13,000, thanks in part to their blog and the awareness raised on the internet.  They are closing in on the right accessible handicap van, and time is running out to donate.  Go to Riley’s website for more information and to make a donation.

Handicap Van Conversion Parking Violations

Anyone who has driven a conversion handicap van knows the frustration of driving around and around a parking lot looking for a handicapped accessible parking space. Time and again, we see people without appropriate documentation parking in these vehicle spaces which are designated for disabled people.

Today, many states are starting to crack down on this fraud in handicap vehicle parking spaces. Some states are even increasing the fines offenders receive, and others are making it harder to make false parking placards for handicap conversion van parking.

South Carolina went as far as a new law which requires a user photo on the handicap parking placard. California and North Carolina also have similar laws trying to stop this bad behavior and keep these spaces reserved for individuals who need them, like drivers of handicap van conversions.

To help fight back, a website has been started by a California woman. She had so many difficult experiences trying to park with her disabled grandfather, that she thought something needed to be done. HandicappedFraud.org allows people to send in information on violations, and she sends it in to that state’s department of motor vehicles.

Maureen Birdsall, the person who started HandicappedFraud.org, tells people to avoid confrontation with people who abuse the handicap van conversion parking system. Often, individuals are disabled, but their condition is not visible to bystanders. Confrontation could make these disabled people feel like their disability is not valid.

Better Lifestyles Through Accessible Handicap Vans

In the last few years, many adaptations have happened that allow individuals with disabilities achieve better lifestyles.  In the discussion of accessible ability conversion vans, a variety of choice is the rule of thumb in auto accessible handicap vans.

Conversion ability vans are built with mobility products included which assist the handicapped who get around with a mobility device like a scooter.  Conversion accessible vans come as mini vans or full size vans.  Full size conversion wheelchair vehicles have more room to maneuver inside, and can carry a heavier load due to a stronger suspension.  Wheelchair conversion full size vans sometimes have more head room due to a raised roof.  The raised roof also allows for raised doors.  Lowered floors are also possible in some full size wheelchair vans, creating even more interior head clearance.

Accessible minivans often have a lowered floor conversion for additional space, and they include several other benefits too.  Minivans with a disabled conversion almost always have a handicap ramp at the side door for wheelchair access.  Mobility lifts are another option for installation in some kinds of minivans.  They can also offer better fuel mileage than their full size counterparts.

Ability access van conversions are a blessing for anyone wanting to transport a person in a wheelchair, however there are other disabled driving controls and aids to help get around.  For a handicapped individual desiring to drive and not just ride, choices exist for them as well.  Mobility controls that have been included in the installation process include electric tie-downs, hand controls, transfer seats, restraining belts, and many more.  If you are searching for professional assistance in your quest for mobility, a mobility product dealer can assist with the whole process of buying a accessible handicapped vehicle.

Aging Out Of Special Ed

Raising a child with a disability can be challenging.  Recently we talked about one family dealing with the additional expense of a wheelchair accessible van conversion.  There are extra doctor visits, physical therapists, medications, and equipment that families with disabled children have to work with.  One area that helps is special education provided through schools.

But what happens when a child gets too old for special ed?  Many families struggle with this question on a day to day basis.  Cerebral Palsy of Westchester is doing something about this with a plan for a 7,000 square foot accessible facility in Norwalk that will help 15 families of disabled young adults.  So far, 10 families have signed up, but more are needed.  Get in touch with CPW for more information.

Reilly Needs A Wheelchair Lift Van

10 year old Reilly of Clinton, MI needs a wheelchair accessible van.  Like all 10 year olds, he is growing and is getting too big to lift into and out of the family vehicle.  Not only that, but Reilly uses a power wheelchair, which is too heavy to lift into and out of a vehicle.  Problem is, with the economy struggling, both parents are out of work and can’t afford the expensive wheelchair van conversion.  However, their community has responded.  So far they have raised about 5800, which is almost 10% of their goal for a new wheelchair van.  Visit Reilly’s blog, and consider making a donation.

Wheelchair Accessible Parking Courtesy

Many times, the public isn’t concious of the disabled parking lines painted in parking lots across America.  Often, especially with recent snow falls, wheelchair accessible parking spaces are hard to see, and parking lots are already extremely full.  All too often, this leads to crowding wheelchair vans and their drivers or passengers, creating impossible situations for them.  Many people with disabilities drive customized vans for wheelchairs that include ramps or mobility lifts that need room to extend.  And once extended, these wheelchair ramps and lifts could be too close to an adjacent vehicle to allow for easy access by a mobility device.

This dilema causes the person with disabilities to have to wait for the offender to move their car.  Cold weather can complicate some disabilities, and wheelchairs and other mobility equipment do not do well in frigid temperatures.  So the person driving a wheelchair van or accessible vehicle has to wait in the cold, or wait in the store and try to see when the car blocking their access moves (hard to do when sitting in a wheelchair with shoppers walking in and out of a store)  Often the police become involved.

In short, be considerate when parking.  If there is a spot open right next to the front door of the store, think twice.  It might be a wheelchair accessible parking space, or the additional reserved space needed for wheelchair accessible vans.