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Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles
- By Gareth Hoyle
- Published March 18, 2011
- Business and Economy
- Unrated
Using a wheelchair can allow you to get around even if you face significant mobility issues. Wheelchair accessible vehicles can provide an easier way to transport wheelchair users to enable even more freedom of movement.
Choosing the Right Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles
There are a number of wheelchair accessible vehicles available on the market. It is important you take the time to look around and find the right option for your needs. Not all wheelchair accessible vehicles will be appropriate for all types of wheelchairs. You could save yourself a lot of time and hassle by making sure you make the right choice first time.
Here are some considerations you need to make when choosing wheelchair accessible vehicles:
* Dimensions – although some wheelchairs will collapse for transport other types will need to be moved in one piece. For people with severe mobility issues it may be necessary for them to remain in their wheelchairs during transport. This means the type of wheelchair and the dimensions will be essential for choosing wheelchair accessible vehicles. You need to measure the width, height and length of the chair in its transportation state. One of the most important measurements will be height. You will need to leave plenty of clearance particularly if you are transporting people in their wheelchairs.
* VAT - if you are buying wheelchair accessible vehicles for domestic use then in most cases you will not have to pay any VAT. However if you are buying this type of vehicle for a commercial purpose (private hire, taxi etc.) then you will be charged the standard rate of VAT as with any other car purchase.
* Cost - wheelchair accessible vehicles are more expensive than standard vehicles. This is because they have many additional modifications including wheel locks, ramps and additional height/length. You will need to consider your budget and shop around for the best deals. You can get assistance buying wheelchair accessible vehicles from some charities and support services. Make sure you check if you are entitled to any financial support before you buy as you will not be able to apply in most cases if you have already bought a vehicle.
The Blue Badge Scheme
If you are buying a wheelchair accessible vehicle then you do need to join the Blue Badge Scheme. This will provide you with more freedom of parking so that you will be able to load and offload wheelchairs more effectively. The Blue Badge Scheme offers the following parking concessions:
* Free parking without time limits for ‘Pay and Display’ street parking and parking meter street bays.
* Exemptions for waiting limits for street parking
* Parking on yellow lines is allowed for up to three hours (when not causing an obstruction for other drivers).
You can apply for the blue badge scheme from your local authority.
Adaptedcarhire.co.uk provides a broad range of specially Wheelchair Accessible vehicles to cater for the needs of disabled drivers and passengers. There is a variety of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles, where the wheelchair passenger travels in their wheelchair and vehicles have hand controls or adapted foot pedals, to allow the disabled person to drive.
Choosing the Right Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles
There are a number of wheelchair accessible vehicles available on the market. It is important you take the time to look around and find the right option for your needs. Not all wheelchair accessible vehicles will be appropriate for all types of wheelchairs. You could save yourself a lot of time and hassle by making sure you make the right choice first time.
Here are some considerations you need to make when choosing wheelchair accessible vehicles:
* Dimensions – although some wheelchairs will collapse for transport other types will need to be moved in one piece. For people with severe mobility issues it may be necessary for them to remain in their wheelchairs during transport. This means the type of wheelchair and the dimensions will be essential for choosing wheelchair accessible vehicles. You need to measure the width, height and length of the chair in its transportation state. One of the most important measurements will be height. You will need to leave plenty of clearance particularly if you are transporting people in their wheelchairs.
* VAT - if you are buying wheelchair accessible vehicles for domestic use then in most cases you will not have to pay any VAT. However if you are buying this type of vehicle for a commercial purpose (private hire, taxi etc.) then you will be charged the standard rate of VAT as with any other car purchase.
* Cost - wheelchair accessible vehicles are more expensive than standard vehicles. This is because they have many additional modifications including wheel locks, ramps and additional height/length. You will need to consider your budget and shop around for the best deals. You can get assistance buying wheelchair accessible vehicles from some charities and support services. Make sure you check if you are entitled to any financial support before you buy as you will not be able to apply in most cases if you have already bought a vehicle.
The Blue Badge Scheme
If you are buying a wheelchair accessible vehicle then you do need to join the Blue Badge Scheme. This will provide you with more freedom of parking so that you will be able to load and offload wheelchairs more effectively. The Blue Badge Scheme offers the following parking concessions:
* Free parking without time limits for ‘Pay and Display’ street parking and parking meter street bays.
* Exemptions for waiting limits for street parking
* Parking on yellow lines is allowed for up to three hours (when not causing an obstruction for other drivers).
You can apply for the blue badge scheme from your local authority.
Adaptedcarhire.co.uk provides a broad range of specially Wheelchair Accessible vehicles to cater for the needs of disabled drivers and passengers. There is a variety of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles, where the wheelchair passenger travels in their wheelchair and vehicles have hand controls or adapted foot pedals, to allow the disabled person to drive.